Game Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Game Design Director Company: Socialpoint Location: Barcelona, Spain Job Type: Full-Time Category: Game Design & Development Leadership Date Posted: December 12, 2025 Experience Level: 7+ Years (Mid-Senior to Senior Level) Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and unify the design department, encompassing UI/UX, Level Design, and Game Design disciplines within the Two Dots product.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Art, and Production peers to define long-term game vision, strategy, and roadmap.
• Drive game execution by setting high standards and leading by example in design quality and innovation.
• Establish and monitor clear goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the design team, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Foster a results-oriented, pragmatic, and people-centric team culture that prioritizes player experience and business growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within a well-established mobile game studio, part of a larger gaming conglomerate (Zynga/Take-Two Interactive). The focus is on strategic direction, team management, and driving business results through excellent game design for a specific product, Two Dots. The hybrid model and comprehensive benefits package suggest a focus on employee well-being and work-life balance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Vision & Roadmap: Partner with the General Manager (GM) and cross-functional leadership to define and refine the overarching game vision, design strategy, and execution roadmap for Two Dots.
• Design Department Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop the UI/UX, Level Design, and Game Design teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Goal Setting & Performance Management: Establish clear, measurable goals and KPIs for the design department and individual team members, tracking progress and providing regular feedback.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work seamlessly with Product Management, Engineering, Art, and Production to ensure design initiatives are aligned with overall project goals, timelines, and technical constraints.
• Design Quality & Innovation: Champion best-in-class game design principles, pushing creative boundaries and ensuring the delivery of engaging and compelling player experiences.
• Problem Solving & Roadblock Removal: Proactively identify and address challenges and roadblocks impacting the design team's ability to deliver on objectives, ensuring smooth project execution.
• Analytical Decision-Making: Utilize data analytics and player feedback to inform design decisions, identify growth levers, and optimize player engagement and monetization strategies.
• Execution Oversight: Oversee the execution of design plans, ensuring that projects meet quality standards, are delivered on time, and contribute to sustained business growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize strategic alignment, team leadership, and direct impact on product success. The role requires a balance of creative direction and analytical rigor, with a strong emphasis on managing a design department and collaborating with other key functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or a related field is often beneficial for understanding design principles and player behavior.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Product Management or Game Design roles within the gaming industry.
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership capacity, managing and growing design or product teams that have consistently delivered strong business results.
• Proven success in developing and executing product strategies for mobile games, with a portfolio showcasing impactful contributions.

Required Skills:

• Team Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate diverse design teams (UI/UX, Level Design, Game Design).
• Product Strategy Development: Expertise in defining game vision, strategy, roadmaps, and identifying growth levers within a competitive market.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong ability to decompose complex problems, analyze data, and derive actionable insights to drive design decisions and business outcomes.
• Results-Oriented Execution: A pragmatic and focused approach to execution, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.
• Communication Proficiency: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to various stakeholders.
• Player-Centric Design: Deep understanding of player psychology, engagement loops, and the ability to translate these into compelling game mechanics and experiences.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with engineering, art, production, and product management teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with live-service mobile games and understanding of their unique design and operational challenges.
• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and data-driven optimization of game features.
• Experience working within a hybrid work environment and managing remote or distributed team members.
• Knowledge of the puzzle/casual game genre, particularly games similar to Two Dots.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a blend of leadership, strategic thinking, analytical prowess, and hands-on design experience. The emphasis on a "proven track record" suggests a need for quantifiable achievements in past roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Impact Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating your leadership in defining and executing game design strategy that led to measurable business growth (e.g., increased player engagement, monetization improvements, retention rates).
• Team Management Examples: Provide evidence of how you've built, managed, and developed high-performing design teams. This could include examples of mentorship programs, performance review frameworks, or team structure optimizations.
• Process Optimization Initiatives: Document instances where you've implemented new design processes, workflows, or tools to improve efficiency, quality, or cross-functional collaboration within a design department.
• Product Vision & Roadmap Examples: Illustrate your ability to conceptualize and articulate a long-term product vision and detailed roadmap, including how you gathered input and secured buy-in from stakeholders.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Examples of how you've mapped, analyzed, and improved existing design workflows to enhance productivity and reduce bottlenecks.
• System Implementation & Integration: Demonstrate experience in selecting, implementing, or integrating new design tools or systems that supported team operations or design capabilities.
• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Showcase how you've defined metrics, established reporting mechanisms, and used data to measure the success of design initiatives and inform future iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role, the portfolio should emphasize strategic contributions and leadership impact rather than just individual design execution. The focus is on demonstrating the ability to scale design efforts, manage teams effectively, and drive tangible business results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Game Design Director in Barcelona, Spain, with 7+ years of experience and leadership responsibilities in the mobile gaming sector, the estimated annual salary range is €70,000 - €100,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility with 2 days per week required in the Barcelona office.
• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Private medical insurance for employees and families.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Robust protection for employees.
• Technology Allowance: Choice of the latest iOS or Android device (phone or tablet) upon joining.
• Professional Development: Access to a professional development budget for skills training and continuous learning.
• Language Learning: Free language lessons in English, Spanish, and Catalan.
• Entertainment: Spotify Premium subscription.
• Social & Wellness: Legendary social events, parties, state-of-the-art gym facilities, free breakfast, lunch, and specialty coffee.
• Onsite Support: Onsite physiotherapist and hairdresser.
• Financial Growth: Take-Two Interactive employee stock purchase plan (eligibility criteria applies).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered within a hybrid work model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Barcelona, considering the company's size and industry. The extensive list of benefits highlights Socialpoint's commitment to employee well-being, professional growth, and a positive work environment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobile Gaming, Entertainment, Social Games. Socialpoint operates within the highly competitive and rapidly evolving mobile gaming market, known for its focus on engaging player experiences and sustained monetization. Company Size: Part of the larger Zynga and Take-Two Interactive family, Socialpoint operates as a significant studio with a substantial employee base, likely in the hundreds, allowing for specialized teams while maintaining a cohesive culture. Founded: Socialpoint was founded in 2008, giving it over a decade of experience and a strong track record in game development. This longevity suggests stability and established processes.

Team Structure:

• Operations: The Design Director will report directly to the General Manager (GM), indicating a high level of visibility and strategic involvement.
• Design Department: The role leads a dedicated design department comprising UI/UX, Level Design, and Game Design specialists.
• Cross-Functional Teams: The Director will collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, Art, and Production teams, forming integrated project teams.
• Reporting Lines: Direct reports will include leads or senior members of the UI/UX, Level Design, and Game Design disciplines.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Emphasizes analytical thinking and the use of data to inform strategy and optimize player experience and business metrics.
• Agile Development: While not explicitly stated, most modern game development studios operate with agile methodologies, focusing on iterative development, feedback loops, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Player-Centric Design: A core philosophy focused on understanding and catering to player needs and desires to create engaging and long-lasting experiences.
• Results-Oriented Approach: A clear focus on achieving tangible business outcomes, such as player retention, engagement, and monetization.

Company Website: https://www.socialpoint.es/

📝 Enhancement Note: Socialpoint positions itself as a fun, dynamic, and inclusive workplace within the broader Zynga/Take-Two ecosystem. The company's history and success in mobile gaming suggest a professional yet creative environment where data-informed decisions and player engagement are paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a senior leadership role, equivalent to a Director or Head of Department. It signifies a transition from individual contribution or team lead to strategic oversight and management of a significant functional area within the company. Reporting Structure: The Game Design Director reports directly to the General Manager (GM), placing them at a pivotal point in the product's strategic decision-making process. This close relationship with the GM offers high visibility and influence. Operations Impact: The Game Design Director's impact is critical, directly influencing the player experience, engagement, retention, and ultimately, the commercial success of the Two Dots product. Their strategic direction shapes the game's evolution and its ability to meet business objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand leadership scope to encompass multiple game titles or a broader design function within Socialpoint.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to influence the overall product strategy and contribute to the broader company's game development direction.
• Industry Recognition: By leading successful titles, the individual can build a strong reputation within the competitive mobile gaming industry.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of game design leadership, such as live operations, monetization strategy, or player community management.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into related senior roles like Head of Product, Executive Producer, or even GM roles within the gaming sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant career progression potential, moving from leading a specific design discipline to shaping the strategic direction of an entire product and potentially a larger portfolio. The direct reporting line to the GM provides a unique opportunity for high-impact contributions and visibility.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role operates within a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be present in the Barcelona office at least 2 days per week. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration and focused work. Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Barcelona, Spain, a vibrant city known for its tech industry and attractive lifestyle. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features collaborative zones, meeting rooms, and potentially open-plan areas conducive to team interaction and brainstorming.
• Onsite Amenities: The presence of a gym, free meals, coffee, and onsite support services (physiotherapist, hairdresser) indicates a company that invests heavily in employee well-being and convenience.
• Technology Focus: As a game studio, the environment is expected to be equipped with high-performance workstations and the necessary software and hardware for game development.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages in-person interaction for key collaborative tasks, team building, and strategic discussions, while allowing for individual focus at home.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement, offering flexibility for personal needs while ensuring team synchronization during office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and extensive onsite perks suggest a company culture that values both productivity and employee well-being, aiming to create an attractive and supportive work environment in a desirable location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the GM to delve into strategic thinking, leadership experience, and alignment with the product vision.
• Team Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, including design leads, product managers, and engineering leads, to assess collaboration style and technical understanding.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, focusing on strategic impact, leadership examples, and problem-solving approaches.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or a panel to make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business results and player experience improvements driven by your leadership and strategic decisions. Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., % increase in retention, % uplift in ARPU).
• Showcase Leadership: Highlight examples of how you've built, mentored, and developed design teams. Demonstrate your ability to foster a positive and productive team culture.
• Strategic Alignment: Explain how your design strategies aligned with the overall product vision and business objectives. Discuss your process for defining roadmaps and setting KPIs.
• Problem-Solving Narrative: Present a clear narrative for any challenges faced, detailing your analytical approach, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your portfolio in a structured, easy-to-understand format. Focus on the most relevant and impactful projects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Case Study: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you might need to outline a strategy for improving a specific aspect of Two Dots (e.g., player retention, monetization, new feature integration).
• Leadership Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle team conflicts, motivate underperforming team members, or drive consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Data Interpretation: Be ready to discuss how you would use data to inform design decisions and measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, collaborative skills, and a proven ability to drive business results in the gaming industry. A well-prepared portfolio is crucial for demonstrating these competencies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engines: While not directly hands-on, familiarity with engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is beneficial for understanding technical constraints and possibilities.
• Design & Prototyping Tools: Expertise in tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for UI/UX design and prototyping.
• Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing workflows, tasks, and team progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Game Analytics Platforms: Experience with platforms like GameAnalytics, Firebase Analytics, DeltaDNA, or custom in-house analytics solutions for tracking player behavior, engagement, and monetization.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards and reports to communicate insights to stakeholders.
• A/B Testing Tools: Understanding of tools or methodologies for conducting A/B tests on game features and mechanics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a traditional CRM role, understanding customer lifecycle management and player segmentation is key. Familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., Braze, CleverTap) for in-game messaging and push notifications could be advantageous.
• Version Control Systems: Basic understanding of Git or similar for managing design assets and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong understanding of the tools and technologies used in modern game development, particularly for analytics, project management, and design. The focus is on leveraging these tools to drive strategic decisions and improve player experiences.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Results-Oriented: A strong drive to achieve tangible outcomes and contribute to the company's business success.
• Pragmatic: A practical, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving and execution, focusing on what works best.
• Analytical: A commitment to data-driven decision-making and a deep understanding of player behavior and market trends.
• Humble: An openness to learning, receiving feedback, and acknowledging the contributions of others.
• Ambitious: A desire for continuous improvement, growth, and pushing the boundaries of game design and player experience.
• People-Centric: A focus on building strong relationships, fostering team collaboration, and valuing the well-being of team members.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Emphasizes close collaboration with Product, Engineering, Art, and Production to ensure cohesive game development.
• Open Communication: Encourages transparent and direct communication, fostering an environment where ideas can be shared freely and feedback is constructive.
• Shared Ownership: Promotes a sense of collective responsibility for the game's success, with all teams working towards common goals.
• Iterative Feedback: A culture of continuous feedback and iteration, allowing for refinement of design decisions based on data and team input.

📝 Enhancement Note: Socialpoint values a blend of professional rigor and a positive, collaborative atmosphere. The ideal candidate will embody these values, contributing to both the creative output and the team's overall dynamic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Competitive Market: Navigating the highly saturated and competitive mobile gaming market requires continuous innovation and strategic adaptation to maintain player engagement and market share.
• Balancing Player Experience and Monetization: Finding the optimal balance between delivering a fun, engaging player experience and implementing effective monetization strategies is a perpetual challenge.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment across multiple departments with potentially differing priorities can be complex.
• Evolving Player Expectations: Keeping pace with rapidly changing player preferences and technological advancements in the mobile gaming landscape.
• Team Development: Continuously developing and retaining top design talent in a competitive industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to professional development budgets can facilitate attendance at key gaming industry events and specialized training.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leadership within Socialpoint or Take-Two Interactive, or to mentor junior team members.
• Exposure to New Technologies: Working with cutting-edge game development tools and technologies.
• Strategic Project Leadership: Leading high-stakes projects that offer significant learning experiences in strategic planning and execution.
• Internal Mobility: Potential to explore growth within other titles or departments within the larger Zynga/Take-Two organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges inherent to the gaming industry, but also offers substantial opportunities for professional growth and impact, supported by a robust benefits and development framework.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and refine the long-term vision and strategy for a game like Two Dots, considering its existing player base and market position?"
  • Preparation: Research Two Dots' current market position, target audience, and potential growth areas. Think about how to leverage data and player feedback to inform strategic decisions.
• "Describe a time you successfully led a design team through a challenging project or period of significant change. What was your approach to motivating the team and ensuring successful execution?"
  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story that highlights your leadership, problem-solving, and team management skills.
• "How do you balance the needs of player engagement with monetization objectives in a free-to-play game?"
  • Preparation: Discuss ethical monetization strategies and how to integrate them seamlessly into the core gameplay loop without negatively impacting player experience.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Socialpoint and its position in the mobile gaming market?"
  • Preparation: Research Socialpoint's history, key titles (Dragon City, Monster Legends, Two Dots, Top Troops), and its relationship with Zynga/Take-Two Interactive.
• "How do you foster a collaborative and results-oriented culture within a design team?"
  • Preparation: Align your answer with Socialpoint's stated values (results-oriented, pragmatic, analytical, humble, ambitious, people-centric).
• "How do you measure the success of design initiatives and their impact on business goals?"
  • Preparation: Discuss key metrics relevant to mobile games (retention, engagement, ARPU, LTV) and your process for tracking and reporting on them.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Leadership Impact: For each project, clearly articulate your role as a leader and strategist, not just a contributor.
• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your decisions and strategies.
• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations around clear narratives that highlight challenges, your strategic approach, and the successful outcomes.
• Tailor to Two Dots: If possible, draw parallels between your past successes and the potential opportunities or challenges for Two Dots.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, potential alternative solutions, and how you would adapt your approach to different scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thorough preparation, including researching the company and product, understanding Socialpoint's values, and crafting compelling narratives for your portfolio, will be key to success in the interview process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Game Design Director position:

• Click the "Apply" button on the job posting to submit your application.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in game design leadership, team management, product strategy, and driving business results within the mobile gaming industry.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 7+ years of experience, leadership roles, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description throughout.
• Portfolio Preparation: Organize your portfolio to showcase 2-3 impactful case studies focusing on strategic leadership, team development, and measurable business outcomes. Be ready to present these concisely.
• Company Research: Deeply research Socialpoint, its games (especially Two Dots), and its position within the Zynga/Take-Two Interactive ecosystem. Understand their culture and values.

⚠️ 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.