Game Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Game Design Consultant

Company: Macmillan

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME (Contractor)

Category: Creative & Media / Education / Technology

Date Posted: 2026-09-16

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on architecting core game loops, progression models, and level layouts for scenario-driven learning simulations, leveraging game design principles to enhance digital learning experiences.

• The consultant will be responsible for developing visual storyboards, mapping narrative arcs, character contexts, and branching player choices within interactive educational modules.

• This position involves designing lightweight mini-games and interactive widgets that complement digital course materials, aiming to increase learner engagement and comprehension.

• The role requires breaking down complex simulations into reusable components, variables, and rule sets to facilitate templatized scenario development and scalable content creation.

• Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including product designers, researchers, product managers, software engineers, and content creators, is essential to align interactive concepts with defined learning objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a contractor role with an estimated 6-month duration, requiring a 40-hour weekly commitment. The focus is on applying game design expertise to educational technology products, rather than traditional game development. The "Game Design Consultant" title, when applied in an EdTech context, signifies a need for expertise in instructional design principles blended with engaging interactive mechanics.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect core game loops, progression models, and level layouts for scenario-driven learning simulations, ensuring robust and engaging player experiences.

• Develop detailed visual storyboards that map out narrative arcs, character contexts, and intricate branching player choices, providing a clear blueprint for interactive content.

• Design and prototype lightweight mini-games and interactive widgets that seamlessly integrate with and enhance existing digital course materials, boosting learner engagement.

• Systematize simulations by breaking them into reusable components, variables, and rule sets, enabling efficient templatization for diverse scenarios, industries, or difficulty tiers.

• Collaborate closely with product designers, researchers, product managers, engineers, and content creators to ensure interactive concepts are aligned with pedagogical goals and learning outcomes.

• Coordinate with software engineers to guarantee that designed game mechanics translate cleanly and effectively into production builds, minimizing development friction.

• Utilize AI tools to rapidly prototype assets and test game feel during the design process, accelerating iteration and concept validation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize the application of game design principles within an educational context. The emphasis on "reusable components" and "templatized scenario development" highlights a need for scalable and efficient design solutions, common in EdTech product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience will be paramount. A background in Game Design, Interactive Media, Computer Science with a focus on game development, or a related field is beneficial.

Experience: 5-10 years of demonstrated experience in game design, with a significant portion focused on systems design, mechanics development, and player feedback loops. Experience in designing for educational technology or interactive learning platforms is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated game design craft, evidenced by a comprehensive portfolio showcasing strong mechanics, intricate systems design, and effective player feedback loops.

• Expertise in breaking down complex simulations into reusable components, variables, and rule sets to support templatized scenario development and scalability.

• Strong visual storytelling and storyboarding ability, with a proven track record of translating complex ideas into engaging narrative arcs and branching player choice paths.

• Comfort and proficiency in transitioning between high-level mechanics design, hands-on grayboxing, and narrative framing as an independent contributor.

• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary product team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with game engines or frameworks such as Unity, Phaser, PixiJS, or WebGL, enabling effective specification handoffs to engineering teams.

• Experience leveraging AI generation tools to accelerate design workflows, asset creation, and prototyping.

• Background in EdTech or product development specifically focused on educational content and learner engagement.

• A genuine interest in transforming abstract educational concepts into satisfying, rewarding, and effective gameplay loops.

• Understanding of instructional design principles and their application in interactive learning environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Capabilities" are framed as essential for demonstrating foundational game design expertise, particularly within systems and narrative design. Preferred capabilities highlight a desire for technical literacy (engine/framework knowledge) and familiarity with modern design tools (AI), along with a specific interest in the EdTech sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a variety of game design projects, with a strong emphasis on mechanics, systems design, and player progression.

• Detailed case studies that illustrate the process of breaking down complex mechanics into reusable components and templatized rule sets for scalable applications.

• Visual examples of storyboarding and narrative mapping, demonstrating the ability to translate learning objectives into engaging branching narratives and player choices.

• Demonstrations of interactive prototypes or playable mini-games that highlight user engagement and effective integration with learning content.

• Evidence of using AI tools in the design process, showcasing efficiency gains or novel approaches to asset creation and prototyping. Process Documentation:

• Documentation of core loops, progression models, and level layouts for scenario-driven simulations, structured for reuse across various educational contexts.

• Visual storyboards and narrative maps detailing narrative arcs, character contexts, and branching player choice paths, ready for team review and engineering handoff.

• Engineering handoff documentation, including mechanics specifications that are clear, concise, and aligned with relevant development engines or frameworks.

• Examples of how complex learning concepts were translated into satisfying and rewarding gameplay mechanics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are tailored to showcase the specific skills needed for this role: systems thinking for reusability, narrative design for engagement, and practical application of game mechanics in an educational context. Emphasis is placed on documentation that facilitates collaboration and engineering handoff.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70 - $90 per hour.

This range is based on the provided information for a full-time contractor role within the United States, reflecting the senior level of expertise and specialized skills required for a Game Design Consultant in the EdTech sector. The hourly rate accounts for the contractor status, which typically includes self-management of benefits.

Benefits:

• As a contractor, this role typically does not include traditional employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans.

• The compensation structure is designed to reflect the value of specialized expertise and the flexibility of a contract engagement.

• Potential for contract extension or future project opportunities within Macmillan Learning may arise based on performance and business needs.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. This is a full-time commitment, expected to be fulfilled within a standard work week, with flexibility in scheduling as is common for remote contract roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly extracted from the job description. The benefits section clarifies the typical implications of a contractor role, emphasizing that the hourly rate is the primary form of compensation and that traditional employee benefits are not included.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Learning / Educational Technology / Publishing. Macmillan Learning operates within the EdTech sector, focusing on providing research-based tools, content, and services to support learning. This industry is characterized by innovation, a focus on pedagogical effectiveness, and the integration of technology to enhance educational outcomes.

Company Size: Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company. While specific employee numbers aren't provided, this structure often suggests a commitment to long-term vision and potentially a more stable, values-driven environment compared to publicly traded entities.

Founded: Macmillan Learning has a history rooted in educational publishing, evolving into a digital learning company. This blend of established educational expertise with a forward-thinking digital approach shapes its culture.

Team Structure:

• The consultant will report to the Director of Product Design, indicating a clear reporting line within the product development function.

• Collaboration will be with a multidisciplinary group including product designers, researchers, product managers, software engineers, and content creators, suggesting a matrixed or project-based team structure common in product development.

• This structure fosters cross-functional synergy, where diverse expertise is leveraged to bring digital learning products to life. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes research-based design, suggesting a data-informed approach to product development.

• The focus on interactive learning capabilities and scenario-driven simulations points to a methodology that prioritizes engaging user experiences and practical application of knowledge.

• The use of AI tools for prototyping indicates a willingness to adopt innovative technologies to enhance design workflows and product innovation.

Company Website: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Macmillan Learning's position as an established player in EdTech, blending traditional educational roots with digital innovation. The "family-owned" aspect may imply a culture that values long-term impact and employee (or contractor) relationships. The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, a critical element for success in product development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior or consultant level, requiring specialized expertise in game design applied to educational products. It's not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of sales or revenue operations, but rather a specialized creative and technical consulting function within product development.

Reporting Structure: The consultant will report to the Director of Product Design, placing them within the product development and design hierarchy. This structure offers direct interaction with leadership and provides visibility into product strategy.

Operations Impact: While not directly "operations" in the GTM sense, the consultant's work will have a significant impact on the user experience and effectiveness of Macmillan Learning's digital products. By enhancing learner engagement and comprehension through well-designed interactive elements, the consultant contributes to the company's mission of supporting learning and driving product adoption and satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in applying game design principles to EdTech, a growing and specialized field.

• Portfolio Expansion: Gain experience with a variety of interactive learning projects, developing a unique portfolio that showcases versatility in educational game design.

• Industry Exposure: Work with a leading EdTech company, building a network and understanding of the sector's trends and challenges.

• Future Engagements: Successful completion of this 6-month contract may lead to opportunities for extended engagements or future project involvement with Macmillan Learning, depending on performance and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section reinterprets "Operations Career Level" and "Impact" for a Game Design Consultant role within an EdTech company. The focus shifts from traditional business operations to the impact on product development, user experience, and educational outcomes. Growth is framed around specialized skill development and industry experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote, US-based contractor opportunity. There is no requirement to be physically present in an office.

Office Location(s): While the company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, this specific role is remote and does not require proximity to any physical office location.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Flexibility: Offers the autonomy to work from a home office or any location within the US that supports focused work.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: The work will heavily rely on digital collaboration platforms (e.g., video conferencing, project management software, shared document repositories) to communicate and share work with the multidisciplinary team.

• Independent Contribution: The role requires self-discipline and the ability to manage one's own time and workflow effectively to meet project deadlines and deliverables.

Work Schedule: A commitment of 40 hours per week is expected. While the specific daily schedule can be flexible, alignment with team meetings and project milestones will be necessary. The remote nature allows for potential adaptation of working hours to accommodate personal needs, provided deliverables are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section clarifies the remote nature of the role and the implications for the work environment. It emphasizes the reliance on digital tools for collaboration and the need for self-management, which are key characteristics of remote, contract-based positions.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of submitted resumes and portfolios to assess alignment with the required game design craft, systems design skills, and visual storytelling capabilities.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: An interview focused on thoroughly reviewing the candidate's portfolio. Expect to discuss specific projects, design choices, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to elaborate on mechanics, systems, narrative design, and the reuse of components.

• Skills & Scenario Discussion: Conversations to assess technical skills, comfort with engines/frameworks (if applicable), experience with AI tools, and understanding of EdTech principles. You may be asked to discuss hypothetical design challenges related to educational simulations or mini-games.

• Team/Cultural Fit: An opportunity to meet with potential collaborators (e.g., Director of Product Design, other team members) to gauge collaboration style and ensure a good fit within the multidisciplinary team.

• Contract & Logistics: Discussion of contract terms, duration, hourly rate, and expected deliverables.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to design core loops, progression models, systems, and narrative arcs. Prioritize examples that show how you've made complex concepts engaging and reusable.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate your design process, the challenges faced, your problem-solving methodology, and the outcomes achieved. Use visual aids like storyboards, flowcharts, and wireframes.

• Showcase Reusability: Specifically point out instances where your designs were broken down into components, variables, or rule sets for templatization or scalability.

• Demonstrate Technical Familiarity: If you have engine/framework literacy, include examples or discussions that show how you've collaborated with engineers or translated designs for implementation.

• Explain AI Tool Usage: If you used AI tools, explain the context, how it benefited the design process, and what your role was in refining or integrating AI-generated assets.

Challenge Preparation:

• EdTech Scenario Design: Be ready to discuss how you would approach designing a mini-game or simulation for a specific educational topic (e.g., biology, history, economics). Think about how to balance learning objectives with engaging gameplay.

• Systems Thinking: Prepare to explain how you would design a flexible simulation system that can be templatized for different subjects or difficulty levels.

• Narrative Branching: Practice articulating how you would map out a branching narrative for a learning scenario, considering player choices and their consequences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, focusing on how to present their game design portfolio and prepare for interviews, specifically within the context of an EdTech company. The tips are tailored to the responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description, emphasizing the unique blend of game design and educational application.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Design Software: Tools for visual scripting, flow charting, and conceptualizing game mechanics (e.g., Miro, Figma, or specialized game design tools).

• Storyboarding Tools: Software for creating visual narratives and branching logic (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Storyboarder, or similar visual design tools).

• Prototyping Tools: Software for creating interactive prototypes, potentially including game engines or specialized prototyping platforms.

• AI Generation Tools: Experience with AI tools for asset generation, concept art, or creative ideation is preferred.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics implementation, understanding how user interaction data from simulations and games can be used to inform design decisions is beneficial. Familiarity with how metrics are tracked for engagement and learning outcomes would be an asset. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, as the focus is on creative design and product development rather than sales or marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack section is tailored to reflect the creative and design-focused nature of this role. It emphasizes design and prototyping tools, including the preferred use of AI tools, rather than typical CRM or automation software found in sales/revenue operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation in Learning: A commitment to exploring new ways to engage learners through interactive and game-based approaches.

• Research-Driven Design: Valuing evidence-based design decisions that support pedagogical effectiveness and measurable learning outcomes.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and integrated to create superior learning experiences.

• Efficiency and Scalability: A focus on designing solutions that are not only engaging but also efficient to develop and scalable across various educational contexts.

• Passion for Education: A shared enthusiasm for the mission of improving learning and empowering students and educators.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with individuals from diverse disciplines (design, research, content, engineering), requiring clear communication and mutual respect for each other's expertise.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback loops, where designs are shared early and often, and iterative improvements are made based on input from stakeholders and potentially user testing.

• Agile Principles: While not explicitly stated, the nature of product development in EdTech often implies an agile or iterative approach, emphasizing adaptability and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section extrapolates the likely cultural values and collaboration style of a company like Macmillan Learning operating in the EdTech space. The emphasis is on innovation, research, collaboration, and a mission-driven approach, reflecting the unique blend of creative, technical, and educational focus.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Education and Engagement: The primary challenge will be to design interactive experiences that are both pedagogically sound and highly engaging, avoiding the pitfall of making learning feel like a chore or making games feel superficial.

• Translating Abstract Concepts: Effectively translating complex or abstract educational concepts into concrete, understandable, and fun gameplay mechanics and narratives.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Bridging the gap between game design principles and educational objectives, ensuring clear communication with content creators, researchers, and engineers who may have different domain expertise.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the technical limitations of digital platforms and ensuring that ambitious game designs can be realistically implemented by the engineering team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• EdTech Specialization: Gaining deep experience in a rapidly growing niche of the interactive design field, making you a valuable specialist.

• AI Tool Integration: Developing practical skills in leveraging AI tools for faster prototyping and asset generation, a critical skill in modern design workflows.

• Cross-functional Learning: Exposure to instructional design, educational research, and software development processes within a structured product environment.

• Portfolio Building: Creating impactful case studies that demonstrate a unique ability to solve complex educational challenges through innovative game design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in applying game design to educational contexts, framing them as opportunities for growth and skill development. It emphasizes the unique value proposition of this specialization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a core loop for a simulation teaching [specific subject, e.g., chemistry principles] that encourages repeat engagement?" (Focus on mechanics, progression, and feedback loops.)

• "Describe a time you had to translate a complex, abstract concept into a clear and engaging game mechanic. What was your process?" (Highlight problem-solving, simplification, and creative ideation.)

• "How do you ensure your game designs align with specific learning objectives and pedagogical goals?" (Demonstrate understanding of EdTech integration and collaboration with educators/researchers.)

• "Imagine you need to break down a complex simulation into reusable components for templatization. What would be your first steps, and what kind of documentation would you prepare?" (Assess systems thinking and documentation skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about applying game design principles to educational technology, specifically at Macmillan Learning?" (Research company mission, values, and products.)

• "How do you typically collaborate with non-designers (e.g., engineers, content creators) on a project?" (Highlight communication, empathy, and cross-functional teamwork.)

• "What is your experience with AI tools in the design process, and how do you see them impacting game design for learning?" (Showcase familiarity with emerging technologies and thoughtful application.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, present the problem, your proposed solution (the game design), your process, the challenges, and the results/impact.

• Quantify Where Possible: If you have data on engagement, learning outcomes, or user feedback, present it clearly. Even qualitative feedback is valuable.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate how your designs were modular, reusable, or templatized, using diagrams or examples.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with other team members and incorporated their feedback.

• Be Ready for Live Design: While not guaranteed, be prepared for a whiteboard or digital collaboration exercise where you might sketch out a concept or mechanic on the spot.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview preparation advice, including example questions that probe for specific skills and experiences relevant to this unique role. The portfolio presentation strategy is designed to help candidates showcase their work effectively in the context of an EdTech game design consultant.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Game Design Consultant position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on recruiting.ultipro.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience in game mechanics, systems design, visual storytelling, and especially any work related to educational technology or simulations.

• Highlight Reusability: Explicitly showcase projects where you designed for modularity, reusability, or templatization, as this is a key requirement for scalable scenario development.

• Prepare for Portfolio Walkthrough: Be ready to articulate your design process, decision-making, and the impact of your work for each project presented in your portfolio during interviews.

• Research Macmillan Learning: Familiarize yourself with Macmillan Learning's mission, products, and existing digital learning initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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