At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead economic strategy for multiple games and mentor teams across studios.
- Company: Join Zynga, a global leader in interactive entertainment with a fun and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a massive impact on game economies while collaborating with talented teams worldwide.
- Qualifications: Degree in Economics or related field, with experience in game economy design.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Zynga, we bring people together through the power of play. As a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take‑Two Interactive, our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times—connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and a little friendly competition. Our diverse game portfolio has something for everyone.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Game Economist to join our team in either London or Barcelona. Reporting directly to the Director of Economy and working closely alongside another Lead Economist, you will operate as a centralized expert resource across three different studios. You will lead economic strategy and systems design on a project basis, supporting various games across our extended portfolio. This is a high‑level Individual Contributor role with no direct reports, yet your leadership impact will be massive. You will analyze each game, identify key opportunities and challenges, and build sustainable solutions while elevating our internal economy practices. You will establish best practices, develop robust frameworks, and mentor embedded game teams so they can eventually own and manage their economies independently. This role is highly strategic and deeply hands‑on: blending advanced research, complex system design, cross‑studio collaboration, and technical mentorship.
What You’ll Do
- Drive Cross‑Studio strategy: Serve as the shared expert supporting multiple games across distinct studios. Take ownership of the economic design phase for targeted projects, identifying gaps and implementing tailored solutions to drive engagement and business performance.
- Collaborate at the highest level: Work in tandem with another Lead Economist and report directly to the Director of Economy to align on portfolio‑wide strategies, tackle complex systemic challenges, and ensure consistent design standards across all studios.
- Mentor and Empower teams: Act as a technical leader and mentor for game‑level economy designers and PMs. Lead through influence, training internal teams on advanced economic frameworks and ensuring they have the tools to manage their game's economy long‑term.
- Design and simulate: Leverage quantitative expertise to build complex predictive models, run simulations, and design A/B tests that validate your design decisions and forecast the impact of new features.
- Bridge the gap globally: Drive cross‑functional efforts with Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Engineers across different teams and geographies, acting as a technical bridge to ensure seamless execution from concept to live ops.
What You Bring
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Economics, Math, Statistics, or a related quantitative field, paired with a proven track record of designing and optimizing complex game economies at a senior or lead level.
- Advanced analytical skills with mastery of Excel.
- Experience with SQL, R, or Python is a significant advantage for deep‑dive research and modeling.
- Demonstrated ability to drive strategic initiatives and upskill junior or mid‑level talent across multiple studios or departments without formal reporting lines.
- Excels at matrix leadership and cross‑functional collaboration.
- A deep‑seated interest in Free‑to‑Play mechanics and a sophisticated understanding of how to balance player experience with sustainable monetization.
Bonus Points
- Additional background in Monetization strategy to complement your economic expertise.
- Experience working on large‑scale online, social, or multiplayer games.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic.
Principal Game Economist employer: Zynga
At Zynga, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. As a Principal Game Economist, you'll have the unique opportunity to influence multiple game studios while enjoying comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to diversity. With locations in London and Barcelona, you can thrive in dynamic cities known for their rich culture and innovation, making your career at Zynga not just a job, but a rewarding journey in the world of interactive entertainment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Game Economist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those at Zynga. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about sliding into DMs on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with game economies. Use case studies from past projects to demonstrate how you’ve tackled challenges and driven results. This will make you stand out when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Free-to-Play mechanics and economic strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can balance player experience with monetisation. We love candidates who can think strategically and creatively!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Principal Game Economist position.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Game Economist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming:When you're writing your application, let your love for games shine through! Talk about your favourite titles and how they inspire your work. We want to see that you’re not just a numbers person, but someone who truly gets the gaming world.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in game economics or similar fields. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in designing and optimising game economies. We’re looking for how you can bring value to our team, so make it clear!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity, so don’t make us dig through paragraphs to find your best bits!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team at Zynga!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zynga
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Principal Game Economist, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Brush up on your Excel skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive economic strategies in previous roles. Prepare specific examples of predictive models or A/B tests you've designed.
✨Understand the Game Portfolio
Familiarise yourself with Zynga's diverse game portfolio. Play a few games if you can! This will help you understand their mechanics and monetisation strategies, allowing you to speak knowledgeably about how you can enhance their economies across different titles.
✨Showcase Your Mentorship Skills
This role involves mentoring teams without direct reports, so be prepared to share your experiences in upskilling others. Think of specific instances where you've influenced or trained colleagues, and how that led to improved performance or innovation in game economies.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Cross-studio collaboration is key for this position. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked with diverse teams in the past. Highlight your ability to bridge gaps between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring everyone is aligned on economic strategies.
