At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative vision and player experience across diverse gaming products.
- Company: Dynamic game studio focused on innovation and player engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative freedom, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment that values creativity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of gaming with cutting-edge technology and a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Expertise in game mechanics, narrative design, and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
As Head of Game Design, this role will lead the creative vision and player experience across the Game Studio portfolio. Working across bingo, slots, instant win, table games and free-to-play products, the role will shape innovative, engaging and commercially successful gaming experiences for players. This is a senior creative leadership role, combining strategic thinking with deep expertise in gameplay mechanics, player psychology and visual storytelling. Leading a multidisciplinary team of Designers, Artists and UI specialists, the role will ensure games are not only compliant and high-performing, but genuinely entertaining and industry-leading.
What you'll be doing
- Creative vision & innovation
- Help shape and deliver the Game Studio and Content strategies across the portfolio
- Define the visual direction, gameplay mechanics and overall player experience of tombola games
- Lead the development of innovative game concepts, themes and social features that differentiate the brand in the iGaming market
- Explore and adopt emerging technologies, including Gen AI, to support and enhance the game design process
- Ensure player journeys are intuitive, engaging and optimised across all platforms
- Artistic & design excellence
- Provide creative direction and support to the Art and Illustration teams
- Ensure all visual assets meet high-quality standards and align with brand guidelines
- Collaborate closely with the Game Engine team to balance gameplay mechanics, mathematics and creative execution
- Support the design of social and community-led features that encourage long-term player engagement and retention
- Champion a data-led design approach, using user testing and behavioural insights to refine player experiences
- Ensure designs are accessible, inclusive and optimised for a mobile-first audience
- Team & stakeholder collaboration
- Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary creative team including Game Designers, Artists, UI Designers and Interaction Designers
- Foster a culture of inclusion, creativity, collaboration, feedback and continuous improvement
- Work closely with the Head of Game Production and Head of Technology to align creative direction with roadmap priorities and technical delivery
- Act as a subject matter expert on game design trends and creative best practice
- Present concepts, creative rationale and recommendations to senior stakeholders and external partners
What we're looking for
- Strong expertise in game mechanics, narrative design, UI/UX principles and creative production processes
- Ability to translate high-level ideas into clear design specifications and creative briefs
- Experience within the iGaming or wider games industry in game design-focused roles
- Strong understanding of player behaviour and engagement, particularly within bingo and slots environments
- Experience leading and developing creative teams within fast-paced environments
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance creative ambition alongside mathematical, regulatory and operational requirements
- Experience using design and prototyping tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma
- Understanding of how design integrates into development workflows and tools such as Jira
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present and advocate for creative vision effectively
Head of Game Design in Sunderland employer: Tombola
As a leading player in the iGaming industry, our company offers an inspiring work environment where creativity and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide ample opportunities for growth and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Located in a vibrant area, we embrace emerging technologies and foster a culture of inclusivity, making us an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in game design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Game Design in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend gaming events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Game Design role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it highlights your best work in game design, especially projects that showcase your creative vision and player engagement strategies. A strong portfolio can speak volumes about your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s games and understanding their player base. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their creative direction and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Game Design in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Vision:When applying for the Head of Game Design role, make sure to highlight your unique creative vision. Share examples of how you've shaped player experiences in past projects and how you can bring that innovation to our Game Studio portfolio.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your expertise aligns with our needs in gameplay mechanics and player psychology.
Demonstrate Team Leadership:Since this role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, be sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've mentored teams, fostered collaboration, and driven creative projects to success in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tombola
✨Know Your Game Mechanics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of game mechanics and player psychology. Be ready to discuss how these elements influence player engagement, especially in bingo and slots. Show them you can translate high-level ideas into actionable design specifications.
✨Showcase Your Creative Vision
Prepare to present your creative vision for the role. Think about innovative game concepts or themes you've developed in the past. Bring examples that highlight your ability to lead a team and create engaging player experiences that stand out in the iGaming market.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with various teams, so be ready to talk about your experience leading multidisciplinary teams. Share examples of how you've fostered a culture of creativity and collaboration, and how you’ve successfully aligned creative direction with technical delivery.
✨Be Data-Driven
Demonstrate your understanding of a data-led design approach. Discuss how you've used user testing and behavioural insights to refine player experiences in your previous roles. This will show that you not only have creative ambition but also a strong commercial awareness.
