Game Design Director - The Sims 4

Responsibilities

Define, champion, and lead the holistic vision for Packs (DLC), partnering with the Senior Creative Director and Design Directors on overall product vision.

Provide design direction and feedback, oversee design quality, and refine processes that empower the design team to understand and build towards a vision.

Ensure best practices for design methodology, communication of designs, and manage relationships with cross-functional partner teams.

Guide player-centered and data-informed design processes to provide world-class creative solutions using both quantitative and qualitative player insights.

Collaborate with the Lead Producer and Directors from various departments, including engineering, art, animation, user experience, user research, quality assurance, and project management.

Partner with team Leads and Development Directors (project & design managers) to prioritize designs, track tasks, identify risks, and clarify changes.

Become knowledgeable on Maxis’ proprietary game designer development tools to guide designer work, help solve creative solutions within technical constraints, and partner with the Technical Game Design Director on tools requirements.

Partner with Game Design Leadership, Development Directors, and Studio Leaders in order to provide game design career mentorship and scale operations in the European studio.

Champion positive workplace culture and diversity and inclusion when it comes to game design decisions, hiring practices, and mentorship needs of the team.

Qualifications :

10+ years of experience in a game design role within the gaming industry, 3+ years in a lead or director role.

Expertise in setting the vision for DLC or new game development.

Expertise in management, coaching, and mentoring.

Expertise within the genres of cozy and / or simulation games.

Expertise with proprietary game design tools, game design implementation, and development environments.

Expertise setting vision and breaking down work into development plans.

Expertise building worlds and gameplay spaces that support and expand on established lore and systems capabilities.

Expertise with multiple stages of development, from pre-production through updating live experiences.

Experience with change management and improving team operations.

Experience working with research departments and product management to establish tests and interpret data to improve the design.

Desirable Skills

Experience with large teams.

Worked on a AAA HD title or shipped a mobile cozy / simulation game.

Experience working in Waterfall and Agile environments.

Design experience on games that focus on open-ended player creativity.

Familiarity with games with high customization & creativity, and modding communities (ex : Roblox, Minecraft, The Sims).

Visit us at : https : / / www.ea.com / ea-studios / maxis

About Electronic Arts

Everything we do is designed to inspire the world to play. Through our cutting-edge games, innovative services, and powerful technologies, we bring worlds with infinite possibilities to millions of players and fans around the globe.

We’re looking for collaborative and inclusive people with diverse perspectives who will enrich our culture and challenge us. We take a holistic approach with our benefits program, focusing on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support our people through every chapter of life. We provide comprehensive benefit packages and support for a balanced life with paid time off and new parent leave, plus free games and so much more. Our goal is to provide a safe and respectful workplace that empowers you to thrive in both work and life.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.