Lead Game Designer

Lead Game Designer

Bournemouth Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of engaging game features for our ChessPalace App.
  • Company: Join Little GrandMasters Ltd., a venture studio creating fun, educational games for kids.
  • Benefits: Flexible hybrid or remote work options and a chance to shape children's learning experiences.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on young minds through innovative game design and strategy.
  • Qualifications: Experience in mobile game design, especially for kids, with strong analytical skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to lead and grow within the team.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Lead Game Designer at Little GrandMasters Ltd., focusing on our ChessPalace App.

A very exciting opportunity to join the team of Little GrandMastersâ„¢ and be one of the key team members shaping our development as the Lead Game Designer. We are currently working on our first game, the Chess Palace App, based on the award winning method developed by Judit Polgar, the Greatest Female Chess Player of All Times.

We are a venture studio dedicated to making accessible, exciting, empowering mobile games and e-learning tools for kids. We specialise in creating engaging digital tools and playful learning experiences that nurture problem-solving, critical thinking, helping children develop durable life skills and creativity.

At Little GrandMasters™, we believe every child has the potential to become a grandmaster. Our mission is to spark young minds through games, transforming the way kids learn strategy, patience, and confidence — helping millions of children, one move at a time.

Role Overview

As a Lead Game Designer, you will shape the player experience by designing and developing engaging game features and improving core gameplay. You will collaborate with the existing teams to ensure features are fun, educational and aligned with the Judit Polgar Method and the existing games in the Chess Palace books.

This role blends hands-on game design with leadership to oversee the development of new experiences and mini games in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners. You will design, develop the metagame and implement mini game experiences, tools, and content to delight young players 4-10.

In this role, you will:

  • Use the wealth of our existing pedagogical content as reference material for digital experience design
  • Act as lead in shaping vision & strategy integrated with the existing methodology, lead and oversee the design of game features, level design, setting standards for quality and fun.
  • Manage feature development from concept to launch, including iterations, staying hands-on.
  • Drive collaborative and iterative prototyping
  • Continuously monitor market trends to suggest new game concepts or features for exploration.
  • Collaborate with product, art and marketing teams to optimise design.
  • Ensure features support business and monetisation goals while continuously adding features and systems to boost engagement and conversion and if necessary, iterate features or systems leveraging data insight
  • Collaborate with internal and external teams to drive tools and content development forward, serving as a visionary for overall development and publishing efforts.
  • Actively participate in big-picture decisions of the company and team to focus on the correct elements to achieve inspiring results

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise we are looking for

  • Proven experience working with mobile games, including prototyping, development and with a preference prior experience with kids games for K-12.
  • Published game(s) before in kids category
  • Strong knowledge of K-12 children game trends and monetisation
  • Hands-on experience managing game feature development.
  • Strong analytical skills, including interpreting player data, running A/B tests with the Product team and using analytics to inform design decisions.
  • Strong understanding of mobile games UX.
  • Business mindset with a balance of creativity and commercial focus.
  • Able to adapt to market feedback and changing needs.
  • Passion for mobile gaming and chess.
  • Expert knowledge of game design principles, child player psychology and the economics of play for children’s games
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and cross functional working standards
  • Get it done attitude
  • Work hand-in-hand with design and art teams to bring ideas from concept to final implementation
  • Understanding of the whole game development process from ideation, pre-production, and production through to shipping the final product
  • Experience building and hiring a small team.
  • Fluent in English, with great collaboration and communication skills

Nice-to-have

  • Chess enthusiast

The Role:

  • Full time Hybrid or Remote depending on your location. (European time zones)

Lead Game Designer employer: Little GrandMasters Ltd.

At Little GrandMasters Ltd., we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer dedicated to creating engaging and educational mobile games for children. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and growth, allowing team members to shape the future of learning through play while enjoying flexible hybrid or remote working options. Join us in our mission to empower young minds and make a meaningful impact in the world of children's education.
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Contact Detail:

Little GrandMasters Ltd. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Game Designer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the gaming industry, especially those who work at Little GrandMasters. A friendly chat can go a long way in getting your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your passion for game design! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially any projects related to kids' games or educational tools. Make it pop and let your creativity shine!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on the Judit Polgar Method and the latest trends in K-12 gaming. Being knowledgeable about the company’s mission will impress them and show you’re genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Game Designer

Game Design Principles
Mobile Game Development
Prototyping
K-12 Game Trends
Feature Development Management
Analytical Skills
Player Data Interpretation
A/B Testing
Mobile Games UX
Business Mindset
Creativity
Child Player Psychology
Communication Skills
Team Leadership
Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Gaming: When you're writing your application, let your love for mobile games and chess shine through! We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to create engaging experiences for kids.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in game design, especially if you've worked on kids' games before. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges and joys of designing for younger audiences.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot. Remember, we’re busy shaping the future of gaming!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.

How to prepare for a job interview at Little GrandMasters Ltd.

✨Know Your Chess

Since the role is all about designing a chess app, brush up on your chess knowledge! Familiarise yourself with the Judit Polgar Method and how it can be integrated into game design. Being able to discuss specific strategies or features that could enhance the learning experience for kids will show your passion and expertise.

✨Showcase Your Game Design Experience

Prepare to talk about your previous projects, especially those related to mobile games for children. Highlight your hands-on experience in managing game feature development and any successful games you've published. Use specific examples to demonstrate your understanding of child player psychology and how you’ve applied it in your designs.

✨Be Ready to Collaborate

This role involves working closely with various teams, so be prepared to discuss how you approach collaboration. Share examples of how you've worked with product, art, and marketing teams in the past. Emphasise your ability to drive iterative prototyping and how you adapt based on feedback from different stakeholders.

✨Stay Ahead of Trends

Research current trends in K-12 gaming and monetisation strategies. Be ready to suggest innovative game concepts or features that align with market demands. Showing that you’re proactive about staying informed will demonstrate your commitment to creating engaging and educational experiences for young players.

Lead Game Designer
Little GrandMasters Ltd.
Location: Bournemouth
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