Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of Phasmophobia and ensure creative execution across teams.
- Company: Join a passionate indie games studio known for Phasmophobia.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, flexible working, and a training budget for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious team where your ideas matter and creativity thrives.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Development Director with a strong track record in game development.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities to attend major industry events.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re an independent games studio best known for creating Phasmophobia, enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. Our team is passionate, creative, and collaborative and we’re looking for someone equally enthusiastic about games to join our growing team. We’re a small, friendly team that values creativity, openness, and personal growth. Whether you’re helping various departments or talking about your favourite horror game, you’ll be part of a supportive environment where passion and curiosity are celebrated. You’ll be joining an ambitious team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your development truly matters.
Role Description
We are looking for an experienced Development Director to lead the day-to-day development execution of Phasmophobia to reach our 1.0 release. This role is part of the Phasmophobia core leadership team, responsible for cross-discipline alignment, decision-making, and maintaining quality and focus. You will operate within an established creative vision and design direction set by the Game Director, partnering closely with our Lead Producer on execution. This role is hybrid, based in the Southampton area.
Responsibilities:
- Lead day-to-day creative and development execution across design, engineering, art, audio, and QA
- Make confident decisions on gameplay, systems, features, and player experience
- Run design reviews, feature discussions, and playtests
- Maintain creative cohesion and clarity across the project
- Partner with the Lead Producer to balance quality, scope, and delivery
- Drive the project's operational model and team structure
- Ensure transparent communication across the leadership team
- Support and align external partners to meet deadlines (e.g. platform ports, QA and localisation)
Requirements:
- A strong track record as a Development Director or Executive Producer bringing at least one AA/AAA PC/Console game from concept to full release.
- Proven ability to lead and motivate cross-discipline teams
- Strong understanding of gameplay, systems, and player experience
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Comfortable executing an established vision rather than redefining it
- Experience working with external or co-development teams
Nice to Have:
- Strong knowledge of Phasmophobia
- Experience on live or multi-platform projects
- Background in gameplay or systems design
🍽️ Weekly free team lunches – good food, great company! 🎉 Regular social events – we love bringing our teams together! 🏠 Hybrid & flexible working options 🕓 Flextime – because life doesn’t always fit 9–5 ✈️ Opportunities to travel to amazing industry events like GDC, Gamescom, TwitchCon (EU & US), EGX & Develop:Brighton 📦 Relocation package to help you settle in 🏅 Employee of the Month vouchers 🎓 Training & Development Budget – invest in your growth with courses, conferences & learning resources 🎂 30 days holiday, including your birthday and a dedicated wellbeing day 🎄 Christmas studio shutdown – enjoy the holidays, on us!
Development Director in Southampton employer: Kinetic Games
Contact Detail:
Kinetic Games Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Director in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those who work at studios you admire. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about sliding into DMs – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for games! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your favourite gaming experiences and how they’ve shaped your approach to development. This will help them see your enthusiasm and fit within their creative team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the studio’s projects, especially Phasmophobia. Understand its gameplay mechanics and community feedback so you can discuss how you’d contribute to its success. Tailoring your insights shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our friendly team and contributing to our exciting projects!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Director in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Games: When writing your application, let your love for games shine through! Share your experiences with Phasmophobia or other titles that inspire you. We want to see your enthusiasm and how it aligns with our creative vision.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience as a Development Director. Focus on your leadership skills and any successful projects you've led, especially in the gaming industry. We appreciate attention to detail!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and how they relate to the role. We value transparency and clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our friendly team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kinetic Games
✨Know Your Games
Make sure you’re well-versed in Phasmophobia and similar titles. Familiarise yourself with the gameplay mechanics, player experience, and what makes these games tick. This will not only show your passion but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your approach to leading cross-discipline teams. Think of specific examples where you’ve motivated teams or made tough decisions that positively impacted a project. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can maintain creative cohesion and clarity.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since communication is key in this role, consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues. Focus on how you can ensure transparent communication across teams and with external partners.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Be ready to talk about your experiences working with various departments and external partners. Highlight instances where collaboration led to successful outcomes, as this studio values a supportive environment where ideas are shared and celebrated.