Director, Design

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are… When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons, and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms, and the dreamers creating what’s next… From brilliant creatives to technology trailblazers across the globe, WBD offers career-defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best self. Here you are supported, celebrated, and empowered to thrive.

Avalanche is a Warner Bros. Games studio located in downtown Salt Lake City, nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. We’ve been in the video game business since 1995, creating interactive experiences for fans of the world’s largest franchises. Join the team behind the blockbuster open-world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what’s next!

The Job As the Director, Design for our Online Multiplayer RPG, you will lead and manage the design team, including senior leads and designers of various levels, to create engaging player-centric experiences. You will work closely with product managers, engineers, and artists to ensure the game’s vision is effectively translated into compelling multiplayer features. In conjunction with the Game Director, you are responsible for driving the overall game design, defining gameplay mechanics, system design, and ensuring the game provides a rewarding experience for players. Your role requires a strong understanding of multiplayer systems, player behaviour, and a deep passion for innovative design in multiplayer online gaming.

Your Role Accountabilities...

• Lead Design Vision: Collaborate with the Game Director on the overall design vision for the multiplayer experience, ensuring a cohesive and innovative player journey. Work with cross-functional teams to align design goals with technical capabilities and business objectives.
• Gameplay Systems Design: Develop and oversee the design of core multiplayer gameplay mechanics, including minute-to-minute gameplay, activity models, social systems, account systems, progression systems, navigation, and player engagement features. Ensure these systems are scalable, fun, and encourage both competitive and cooperative gameplay where appropriate.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration: Manage and mentor the design organization, fostering a collaborative and creative environment. Provide feedback and guidance on design proposals, documentation, and implementation. Work with other departments (engineering, art, audio, narrative, and production) to integrate the design vision into the final product.
• Player-Centric Design: Analyze player behaviour and feedback to refine gameplay systems, improving overall user experience. Prioritise inclusivity and accessibility in multiplayer game design, catering to diverse player needs and preferences.
• Prototype & Playtest: Lead the creation of prototypes to explore new gameplay ideas, iterate on them, and assess their viability. Use playtesting, both private and public, to gather insights and optimise game features and balance.
• Feature Development: Work closely with the game director, product managers, and engineering teams to prioritise and roadmap multiplayer features. Ensure design documentation is comprehensive and clearly communicates the intent and functionality of game systems.
• Performance & Optimization: Collaborate with engineering to ensure multiplayer systems are optimised for performance, scalability, and can handle large-scale player populations. Focus on balancing gameplay to maintain fairness and excitement for all players.

Qualifications & Essentials...

• Experience: 10+ years in game design, with at least 3 years in a lead role in large-scale multiplayer environments. Proven track record of delivering successful online multiplayer games from concept to launch. Experience with live service models, content updates, and post-launch support for online multiplayer. Experience with free-to-play or games-as-a-service models.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of online multiplayer design principles, player psychology, and game balancing. Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine) and trending technology within platform infrastructure. Experience working with data analytics to inform design decisions.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership and team management skills. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate design vision and ideas to different teams.
• Passion for Games: A deep understanding of online multiplayer gaming culture, trends, and player motivations. Enthusiastic and passionate about creating innovative and memorable online multiplayer experiences. A passion for online multiplayer RPGs. A passion for the source material and IP we are working in.

How We Get Things Done… This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day-to-day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we consider qualified candidates based on merit, without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, and other protected categories. If you require adjustments or accommodations during the application or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page.

In compliance with local law, we disclose the salary range for this role: $168,140 - $312,260 per year. Actual salaries vary based on factors like market data, experience, and performance. Warner Bros. Discovery offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, wellness programmes, retirement plans, paid holidays, and more. We are committed to fair hiring practices and consider qualified candidates with criminal records in accordance with applicable laws.