Game Design Director - Star Trek Fleet Command

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Game Design Director - Star Trek Fleet Command

Company: Scopely

Location: Ireland, Spain, or United Kingdom (Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Design / Operations (Live Games)

Date Posted: 2026-06-01T09:07:51

Experience Level: 10+ Years (Senior/Director Level)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and execution of game design for Star Trek Fleet Command, a highly successful F2P 4X MMO.

• Own and direct the content pipeline, ensuring compelling player experiences for millions of users globally.

• Manage and mentor a team of game designers, focusing on systems, economy, and progression modeling.

• Drive innovation in F2P game design, particularly within the 4X and strategy genres, to advance the genre.

• Translate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and player feedback into actionable design direction for the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Game Design Director," the responsibilities heavily involve leading the operationalization of game design for a live, F2P service. This includes managing content pipelines, live operations specialists, and ensuring the long-term health and extensibility of game systems and economies. Therefore, this role has significant overlap with Revenue Operations and Live Operations in a gaming context, focusing on driving player engagement, retention, and monetization through strategic design leadership. The remote flexibility across multiple European countries indicates a need for strong asynchronous communication and operational discipline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the design standards, direction, and player experience for all content releases and ongoing game loops within Star Trek Fleet Command.

• Lead and direct designers and live operations specialists in crafting engaging and evolving player experiences.

• Guide design teams through the creative process, ensuring alignment with game vision, player needs, and product goals.

• Mentor and manage designers in advanced systems and economy design to elevate game standards and player satisfaction.

• Foster a high-performance culture within the design department through effective leadership, people development, and team engagement.

• Shape and optimize the game design process to consistently meet and exceed player expectations.

• Collaborate closely with design leaders to strategically shape the future of the game's economy and monetization.

• Partner with Product Managers, Analysts, and Engineers to implement features that advance the 4X genre and enhance player engagement.

• Evaluate feature performance using data analytics, player feedback, and personal playtesting insights.

• Design for scalability, ensuring long-term content extensibility and the sustained health of game systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize leadership in a live-service environment, requiring a strong understanding of game operations. This includes managing a pipeline of monthly content releases, working with live ops specialists, and a focus on long-term system health and player retention, which are core to revenue operations in gaming.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though extensive relevant experience will be strongly considered.

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience designing systems or economies for live, Free-to-Play (F2P) games, with a strong preference for MMO, 4X, or strategy genres.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in F2P systems design and progression modeling.

• Deep experience and mastery of complex game economies in F2P environments.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a design team.

• A track record of delivering clear, consistent creative direction and constructive managerial feedback.

• Proficiency in spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for balancing power curves, pacing, and resource flow.

• Ability to translate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets and data analysis into actionable design direction for teams.

• Experience with all core aspects of game design discipline: concept development, game progression, user interface (UI), monetization, and player retention strategies.

• Experience working cross-functionally with various departments and navigating live production environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Deep understanding of the 4X genre, with specific experience in F2P 4X game design.

• Familiarity with SQL for data analysis, scripting languages, or simulation tools.

• Passion for the Star Trek universe, sci-fi themes, or highly strategic social games.

• Previous experience designing and implementing alliance or co-operative systems in large-scale games.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements highlight a blend of deep technical game design expertise (systems, economies, F2P mechanics) and strong leadership qualities, essential for directing a complex live-service game. The emphasis on translating KPIs into design direction underscores the operational and data-driven nature of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a clear progression of your career, highlighting leadership roles and impact on live F2P games.

• Include detailed case studies of complex F2P systems or economies you have designed or significantly influenced, demonstrating your ability to balance Pacing, Monetization, and Retention.

• Provide examples of how you have translated data (KPIs, player feedback) into design iterations and improvements for live games.

• Demonstrate your proficiency in spreadsheet modeling for game economy balancing, power curves, and resource flow management.

Process Documentation:

• Present clear documentation of your design process for feature development, from concept to live deployment and iteration.

• Illustrate your methodology for creating and maintaining game economies, including balancing, pacing, and monetization strategies.

• Showcase your approach to iterative design based on live data, player feedback, and A/B testing results.

• Provide examples of how you have contributed to or led the optimization of content pipelines and live operations support for game features.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role in live games, a portfolio demonstrating not just design acumen but also operational execution, data-driven decision-making, and team leadership is crucial. It should reflect an understanding of the entire lifecycle of game features in a live service.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Game Design Director with 10+ years of experience in a high-demand F2P mobile market, and considering the specified locations (Spain, Ireland, UK) and remote status, the estimated annual salary range is €100,000 - €150,000. This range can vary based on specific experience, negotiation, and the exact location within these countries.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday leave.

• Remote work flexibility with potential for home office stipends.

• Opportunities for professional development, including conferences, training, and certifications.

• Access to Scopely's proprietary technology platform, Playgami.

• Company-sponsored social events and team-building activities (virtual and in-person where applicable).

• Potential for stock options or equity participation.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours per week) with flexibility to accommodate remote work and asynchronous collaboration across different time zones. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during critical release periods or for live events, in line with industry norms for live game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry reports for similar roles in Barcelona, Dublin, and major UK cities, adjusted for the senior/director level and the F2P mobile gaming sector. Benefits are typical for established tech/gaming companies of Scopely's size and market position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobile Games (F2P, Live Service) - Scopely operates within the highly competitive and rapidly evolving mobile gaming industry, focusing on developing and publishing long-lasting, engaging F2P experiences.

Company Size: Large (over 1,000 employees) - Scopely is a significant player in the global gaming market, with a large workforce spread across multiple international locations, indicating established processes and a robust organizational structure.

Founded: 2011 - With a founding date in 2011 and significant growth, Scopely has matured into a company with a proven track record in identifying, developing, and scaling successful mobile game titles, including "MONOPOLY GO!" and "Star Trek Fleet Command."

Team Structure:

• The Game Design team for Star Trek Fleet Command is likely composed of specialized designers (Systems Designers, Economy Designers, Content Designers, UI Designers) reporting to a Game Design Director.

• This Director will report to a higher-level executive, such as a VP of Design or Executive Producer, and will work closely with Product Managers, Data Analysts, Engineers, and Live Operations specialists.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Heavy reliance on KPIs, A/B testing, and player analytics to inform design decisions and iterate on live features.

• Agile Development: Implementation of agile methodologies for iterative development, content releases, and rapid response to player feedback and market trends.

• Live Operations Focus: Continuous engagement with the live game environment, focusing on player retention, monetization optimization, and long-term game health.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Scopely's description as a "global interactive entertainment company" with "proprietary technology platform, Playgami" and a focus on "tenet-driven culture" suggests a professional, data-oriented, and player-centric operational environment. The emphasis on "inspiring play, every day" indicates a culture that values passion, creativity, and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a Director level, signifying a senior leadership position responsible for strategic design direction and team management within a major live-service game. It requires a blend of deep domain expertise in F2P game economies and systems, coupled with strong people leadership and operational execution capabilities. The scope includes influencing the long-term vision and success of a flagship product.

Reporting Structure: The Game Design Director will likely report to a VP of Design, Executive Producer, or a similar senior leadership role overseeing game development and live operations for the Star Trek Fleet Command franchise. They will manage a team of individual contributor designers and potentially junior leads.

Operations Impact: The Game Design Director's decisions directly impact player engagement, retention rates, monetization performance, and overall game longevity. Their strategic direction for content and systems is a critical driver of revenue and player satisfaction for Star Trek Fleet Command.

Growth Opportunities:

• Vertical Growth: Potential to advance to VP of Design, Head of Studio, or Executive Producer roles within Scopely, overseeing multiple titles or larger development teams.

• Horizontal Growth: Opportunity to transition into broader product strategy, live operations leadership, or executive roles within the gaming industry.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning in advanced F2P monetization strategies, player psychology, data analytics for design, and leadership development through internal and external training programs.

• Leadership Impact: Direct influence on the strategic direction of a major IP, shaping the player experience for millions and contributing to Scopely's continued success in the mobile gaming market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role represents a significant leadership opportunity within the gaming industry, offering substantial impact and potential for career advancement, particularly for those with strong operational and strategic design skills in live-service F2P games.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-First with potential for in-person meetups. While the role is listed as remote, Scopely operates globally and may host team meetups, offsites, or provide co-working space access in their various office locations (including Barcelona and Dublin).

Office Location(s): Remote within Ireland, Spain, or the United Kingdom. Scopely has offices in Barcelona, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland, suggesting these are key hubs for potential in-person collaboration or local support.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative remote environment requiring strong communication skills through tools like Slack, Discord, and video conferencing. Emphasis on asynchronous communication best practices.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard game development software, analytics platforms, communication tools, and potentially Scopely's proprietary Playgami platform.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings, design reviews, and cross-functional syncs with global teams. Opportunities for informal virtual coffee chats and team-building events to foster connection.

Work Schedule: Flexible, but requires significant overlap with core working hours in European time zones (CET/GMT) to facilitate collaboration with design, product, and engineering teams. A 40-hour work week is standard, with understanding of the demands of live game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote OK" status across multiple countries emphasizes the need for robust remote work infrastructure and practices, including strong asynchronous communication protocols and digital collaboration tools.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio, focusing on leadership experience, F2P game design expertise, and economic modeling.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion of your leadership philosophy, team management style, and high-level strategic approach to game design for live services.

• Design Team/Peer Interviews: Technical interviews focused on F2P systems, economy design, progression modeling, and KPI translation. You may present a portfolio case study.

• Cross-Functional Interview: Discussion with Product Managers, Analysts, or Engineers to assess collaboration skills and understanding of cross-functional dependencies.

• Executive Interview: Final discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic vision, and overall suitability for the Director role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership Impact: Clearly demonstrate your role in leading design teams, mentoring designers, and driving strategic initiatives.

• Showcase Economy Mastery: Present detailed examples of complex F2P economies you've designed or managed, including balancing mechanics, progression curves, and monetization strategies. Use clear visuals and data to support your claims.

• Demonstrate Data-Driven Design: Include case studies where you used KPIs, player data, and analytics to inform design decisions and drive improvements in retention, engagement, or monetization.

• Focus on Live Operations: Emphasize your experience in designing for live services, including content pipelines, iteration based on live data, and long-term system health.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project or by skill area, making it easy for reviewers to find the information they need.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing or iterating on a specific game system or economy within Star Trek Fleet Command, given certain KPIs or player feedback.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and their potential impact on player experience, retention, and monetization.

• Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate and develop design teams.

• Research Star Trek Fleet Command extensively to understand its current state, player base, and potential areas for design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process and portfolio review for a Director-level role will heavily scrutinize leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and a proven ability to drive business outcomes through game design in a live, F2P environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engines: Unity (highly probable for mobile F2P, especially given their portfolio).

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Internal proprietary tools, potentially leveraging scripting languages, and advanced spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) for economy balancing and simulation.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Discord, Jira, Confluence, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analytics Platforms: In-house analytics solutions, potentially integrating with third-party tools like Firebase Analytics, Amplitude, or Adjust for player behavior tracking, cohort analysis, and KPI monitoring.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and visualizing key performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a traditional CRM role, understanding player segmentation and communication strategies for F2P games is crucial. Marketing automation tools may be used for player outreach and event announcements.

• Version Control: Git or Perforce for managing game assets and code.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with spreadsheet modeling and data analysis tools is critical for economy design and balancing. Familiarity with common game development engines and live operations analytics platforms is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the player base, ensuring that design decisions enhance player enjoyment and long-term engagement.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics and KPIs to inform design choices, measure success, and drive continuous improvement.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an open environment where ideas are shared freely, feedback is constructive, and teams work together towards common goals.

• Innovation & Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in game design and player experience, pushing the boundaries of F2P gaming and the 4X genre.

• Passion for Games: A genuine enthusiasm for gaming, particularly for live-service and strategy titles, that fuels dedication and creativity.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working seamlessly with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, Live Operations, and Marketing to ensure cohesive game development and live service management.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Encouraging a culture of regular design reviews, playtesting, and feedback exchange within the design team and with stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of best practices, learnings from live operations, and insights into player behavior across the team and wider organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Scopely's stated values of "inspiring play, every day" and a "tenet-driven culture" suggest an environment that values both creativity and disciplined execution, with a strong focus on player relationships and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Engagement in a Mature Game: Star Trek Fleet Command has been live since 2018; a key challenge will be to innovate and evolve its systems and content to keep a large, established player base engaged and attract new players.

• Balancing Complex Economies: Managing and evolving a sophisticated F2P economy for a 4X MMO is inherently complex, requiring constant monitoring, balancing, and strategic adjustments to ensure fairness, progression, and monetization.

• Leading a Distributed Team: Effectively managing and motivating a remote design team across different countries and time zones requires excellent communication, leadership, and operational discipline.

• Adapting to Market Trends: The mobile gaming landscape is constantly changing; staying ahead of trends in F2P monetization, player engagement, and genre innovation will be crucial.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced F2P Monetization & Economy Design: Deepen expertise in cutting-edge monetization strategies and complex economy simulations.

• Leadership & People Management: Develop advanced skills in leading large, distributed teams, fostering talent, and driving high performance.

• Data Analytics & BI: Enhance capabilities in leveraging player data, A/B testing, and BI tools to inform strategic design decisions.

• Cross-Genre Learning: Gain exposure to other successful F2P titles within Scopely's portfolio (e.g., MONOPOLY GO!, MARVEL Strike Force) to broaden understanding of diverse player bases and monetization models.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior leadership role in a successful, long-running live-service game, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking, operational excellence, and continuous adaptation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a new long-term progression system for Star Trek Fleet Command that aims to increase player retention by 15% over six months?" (Focus on your process, data inputs, and potential mechanics.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting player feedback with business objectives (KPIs/monetization). How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrates problem-solving and stakeholder management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within a remote design team?" (Assesses leadership and remote team management skills.)

• "Based on your research, what do you see as Scopely's strengths in the F2P mobile market, and how would your leadership style contribute to those?" (Shows you've done your homework on the company.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Impact: For each case study, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results (e.g., "Increased player retention by X%", "Boosted ARPDAU by Y%").

• Explain Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if it was a team effort. Highlight your leadership and strategic decision-making.

• Showcase Process: Walk through your design process, from initial concept and requirements gathering to iteration and live optimization, emphasizing data-driven adjustments.

• Tailor to STFC: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and the challenges or opportunities within Star Trek Fleet Command.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of F2P live-service operations, specifically within the 4X genre.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Game Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided greenhouse.io link.

• Customize your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 8+ years in F2P game design/economy and 5+ years in leadership roles. Use keywords from the job description such as "F2P Systems Design," "Economy Design," "Progression Modelling," "Team Management," "Monetization," and "KPI Analysis." Quantify achievements with numbers and metrics.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your expertise in F2P game economies, systems design, leadership, and data-driven iteration. Focus on projects with measurable outcomes. Ensure it's well-organized and easy to navigate.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience, leadership philosophy, and strategic vision for Star Trek Fleet Command. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and answer behavioral and situational questions related to managing teams and driving live game success.

• Research Scopely and STFC: Thoroughly understand Scopely's company culture, their portfolio, and Star Trek Fleet Command's current gameplay, player base, and market position. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary and specific benefits, should be verified directly with Scopely during the application and interview process.