Gameplay Design Director

Reposted 11 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Burnaby, BC, CAN
Hybrid
153K-229K Annually
Senior level
Gaming • Information Technology • Mobile • Software • Esports
2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices.
The Role
The Gameplay Design Director will lead gameplay design for development, mentor teams, and ensure high-quality sports video game experiences.
Summary Generated by Built In
Who We Are

Founded in 2023, 2K Sports Lab is the newest stand alone studio at 2K looking to push game development boundaries to bring 2K's next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. We're building a world-class team at our new Vancouver, BC location where our goal is to deliver an exceptional experience through bold ideas, technical excellence, and creative collaboration. We're seeking passionate and driven professionals across all areas of game development to help shape this ambitious vision. If you’re interested in tackling unique challenges and think you have what it takes to level up our team, we encourage you to apply!

What We Need

Our studio is looking for an experienced Gameplay Design Director who has a high quality bar, a passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors and experience in creating a systemic and sophisticated second to second gameplay.

You will partner closely with Engineers, Animators, Designers, and Producers to help lay the foundation, build, and innovate upon it to create world class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry. You will have the opportunity to drive the long-term vision for our sec-to-sec gameplay and partner with production and tech peers to lead a sizable team of developers to deliver against the vision.

What You’ll Do

  • Be the ‘Product Owner’ for our gameplay team targeting specifically within the competitive landscape of a Sports Video Game
  • Evaluate progress and game quality while partnering closely with Production to formulate and revise plans to drive execution
  • Build & Grow your team with talented Gameplay Designers and System Designers
  • Lead your team to ‘craft the design’ of our gameplay experience and manage design process & documentation
  • Inspire and align the Studio on your vision for Gameplay in partnership with Engineers, Animators, and Artists to implement your vision
  • Mentor and manage your design team, championing positive morale and a healthy team culture
  • Be an ‘individual contributor’ when time allows with exemplify WGLL by being keen and able to be in engine in order to deliver the strongest possible experience

What Will Make You A Great Fit

  • Passion for Sports and Sports Video Games
  • Experience directing and delivering ‘product defining’ high quality ‘second-to-second’ game experiences
  • Experience with, and passion for, systemic game design
  • Experience leading a design team (5+) & directing a sizable development team (20+)
  • Experience working with Animation Software Engineers and Animators and is familiar with animation technology (Blend techniques, Masking, Procedural Animation etc.)

The pay range for this position in Vancouver at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $153,300 and CAD $229,020 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts. 

 #LI-Hybrid

Skills Required

  • Experience delivering high quality second-to-second game experiences
  • Experience leading a design team of 5 or more
  • Experience directing large development teams of 20 or more
  • Familiarity with animation technology and techniques
  • Passion for sports and sports video games

What the Team is Saying

2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Retirement Support A 401(k) plan and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan are part of the standard package as presented on the careers site. Employer-verified listings also confirm these retirement programs.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Paid parental leave, generous compassionate leave, and a companywide end‑of‑year break are highlighted alongside paid holidays and PTO. These offerings indicate broad coverage for time away from work.
  • Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits Fitness reimbursements, on‑site/virtual classes, stocked kitchens, free or subsidized meals, commuter benefits, and dog‑friendly offices are widely cited, with some studios calling out mental‑wellness support like Headspace. These perks extend support beyond core insurance into day‑to‑day wellbeing.

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The Company
HQ: Novato, CA
4,200 Employees
Year Founded: 2005

What We Do

2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

Why Work With Us

We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.

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2K Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.

Typical time on-site: Flexible
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