Lead Game Designer in Sheffield

About Steel City Interactive SCI was born out of passion for video games and boxing, with the ambition to create an authentic and exciting boxing game that does justice to the sport we love. What started as a fun prototype has grown into ‘Undisputed’, the first major boxing video game in a decade. SCI is a welcoming place for expression and open communication, where everyone has a voice. We’re a diverse bunch, consisting of people with decades of games industry experience, graduates and talented individuals who come from other industries. We all bring knowledge and learn from each other. Together we are driven by ambition to bring the world of boxing into a video game like never before.

The Role The Lead Games Designer would lead a team of designers and be accountable for delivery, team performance, and team culture. The role would ensure that designers have clarity in their work, are supported in their development, and are aligned to the overall gameplay vision and product goals. This role combines hands‑on design leadership with people management responsibilities, translating strategic direction into actionable outcomes for the team.

• Line management responsibility for a team of designers within a defined area
• Accountability for delivery and quality of gameplay systems and features
• Responsibility for balancing delivery priorities with team development and wellbeing
• Contribution to studio-wide design standards, frameworks, and ways of working

Responsibilities

• Define and support the gameplay vision across systems, mechanics, and features
• Ensure alignment with player experience goals, including engagement, progression, and retention
• Use player data, research, and testing insights to inform design direction
• Translate product and creative direction into clear, actionable design outputs
• Oversee the quality and consistency of design documentation and communication
• Support the delivery of gameplay systems that meet quality and player experience expectations
• Support approaches to prototyping, testing, and iterative design
• Help ensure systems are refined based on feedback, telemetry, and playtesting
• Identify and help mitigate design risks
• Work closely with engineering, art, UX, production, and product teams
• Support coordination across features and systems
• Help resolve dependencies and delivery challenges
• Line manage designers, including:
• Performance management
• Development and progression
• Regular feedback and support
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and psychologically safe team environment
• Support capability growth across the design team
• Support consistent design standards and best practices
• Encourage continuous improvement and learning
• Contribute to improving team processes and workflows

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in game design, particularly systems or feature design
• Experience mentoring others or readiness to take on people management responsibilities
• Ability to balance delivery with team leadership responsibilities
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Would operate with autonomy over team-level priorities and delivery
• Would make decisions relating to work allocation, team performance, and design execution
• Would elevate higher‑risk or strategic issues where appropriate

Any Additional Information

• Unreal Engine 5 knowledge and experience

What we offer

• Healthy work‑life balance: 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), that increases 1 day per year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Christmas shut down
• Holiday exchange programme
• Flexible working hours & pattern (Certain hybrid models available)
• Support for family life: Enhanced maternity and paternity pay (subject to eligibility requirements)
• Private healthcare which includes optical & dental
• Great office environment: Friendly studios based in Sheffield and Leamington, with free snacks, fruit and drinks! Free parking - at our Sheffield site
• Health & wellbeing support: Company sick pay, 2 days wellbeing days leave per year, Access to 24/7 doctors, Employee assistance programme
• Learning support: Learning days
• Additional financial support: Technology scheme (salary sacrifice up to £750), Relocation benefits (subject to eligibility requirements), Electric car vehicle scheme (subject to eligibility requirements), Discretionary bonus
• Connection and perks: Wrap parties & company paid outings, Individual entertainment budget to cover team events

Steel City Interactive is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to building a diverse team and welcome all applications, considering them without regard to race, religion, belief, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender reassignment, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, sex or sexual orientation. If you’re excited about this role and believe you would add value to our team, but don’t meet every single requirement, we would still like to hear from you – please let us know about the value you would bring in your application.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS Please be aware that all applications for roles submitted through our website will be managed by our external recruitment partner, Amiqus. While they will handle the processing and management of your application, your data will remain securely stored within our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. By submitting your CV through our website, you give your permission for your application to be managed by Amiqus and to be contacted by them on SCI’s behalf.