Lead Game Designer

Outplay is on the hunt for an exceptional Lead Game Designer, with experience in leading projects to success by working closely with partners and directors to turn product vision into world-class design and then supporting the development team to deliver incredible experiences to millions of players.

As a Lead Designer, you will be responsible for the detailed definition and delivery of compelling player experiences while leading a small team of highly talented designers. Your role will balance leadership, mentorship, and hands-on design work, ensuring we can deliver top-quality experiences that push the boundaries of modern gaming.

Key Responsibilities

• Visionary Leadership: Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders and leaders to define and maintain design vision across a project, ensuring alignment with the overall creative direction.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, grow, and inspire a team of talented game designers, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes ownership, initiative, creativity and innovation.
• Design Excellence: Develop and refine game mechanics, systems, and features that drive game performance and deliver engaging and memorable player experiences.
• Project Ownership: Work closely with producers, artists, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure the design vision is realised on time and within scope.
• Design Culture: Work with the Design Manager to define strategy and drive positive design culture. Setting standards of design quality and performance, continuously setting targets and seeking to make improvements and optimisations.
• Problem-Solving: Tackle complex design challenges with creativity and a player-first mindset, balancing technical, creative, and business constraints.

Desired skills

• Proven Experience: Highly experienced in game design roles, and significant time in a leadership position, with a proven track record in leading and inspiring teams to deliver top-tier quality games.
• Visionary Mindset: Exceptional ability to gather requirements and then conceptualise, articulate, and maintain strong design vision throughout the game development pipeline.
• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and communication skills, with charisma and talent for motivating and guiding diverse teams.
• Design Acumen: Solid understanding of game design principles, mechanics, and player psychology, with hands-on experience in designing and documenting core loops, features, systems, UX/UI, and Live Operations.
• Problem Solver: Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a track record of overcoming challenges and driving projects forward.
• Passionate Game Designer: You have a deep love and understanding of both gaming and design, bringing a player-first mentality to the table, with a keen awareness of and excitement for current industry trends, design principals, and modern player expectations.

About us

At Outplay, we are passionate about creating exceptional gaming experiences that captivate players around the world. Our dedicated team of talented professionals are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, design, and storytelling within the gaming industry.

With a commitment to creating the best games, our studio has proudly developed a range of critically acclaimed and award-winning titles. The newest additions to our portfolio, Gordon Ramsay Chef Blast, and Subway Surfers Blast, embody the exceptional visual quality, production values, and casual yet captivating gameplay that Outplay has become renowned for.

We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and at Outplay, we foster a supportive environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. We value diversity and inclusion and actively promote an inclusive workplace that celebrates different perspectives and experiences.

Join our vibrant and dynamic team and become an integral part of shaping the future of mobile gaming.

We also offer the following benefits:

· Private medical and dental care

· 33 days of holiday

· Employee assistance package

· Bonus Scheme

· EMI Share Option Scheme.

· Comprehensive Well-Being Package

We have a flexible hybrid work model at Outplay, prioritising flexibility, inclusion, health and enjoyment. With our work model, our roles can be fulfilled with the flexibility to choose to relocate to work fully onsite in Dundee or in a hybrid mode, either locally or from anywhere in the UK or European work locations.

At Outplay, our mission is to create limitless fun for everyone who plays our games, and we value every individual who helps make that goal a reality. We are committed to remaining an equal opportunities employer and providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone who works here irrespective of age, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, gender identity and expression, physical appearance, body size, and sexual orientation. All our employees are treated with dignity and respect because being part of Outplay is more than just work – it’s a family.