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

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Design Leadership / Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-24T16:44:53

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and execution for all new content and gameplay loops within Star Trek Fleet Command, a highly successful 4X MMO.

• Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of game designers and live ops specialists to deliver exceptional player experiences and achieve product goals.

• Drive the evolution of complex F2P game economies and progression systems, ensuring long-term player engagement and retention.

• Translate key performance indicators (KPIs) and player feedback into actionable design strategies that advance the genre.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical leadership function within a highly successful mobile game, emphasizing strategic design direction, team management, and economic oversight. The "Operations" aspect comes from managing the continuous flow of content and ensuring the underlying systems remain healthy and engaging for a large player base.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and direct the content pipeline, guiding design teams in crafting compelling monthly content releases and ongoing gameplay experiences.

• Mentor and develop designers in systems and economy design, elevating the overall quality and sophistication of game mechanics.

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

• Shape and refine the game design process to consistently meet and exceed player expectations for growth, mastery, and engagement.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Analysts, and Engineers to conceptualize and implement innovative features that push the boundaries of the 4X genre.

• Evaluate game performance using a combination of data analytics, player feedback, and personal playtesting experience to inform design decisions.

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

• Contribute to the strategic vision for the game economy, working with other design leaders to ensure its balance and sustainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic leadership role focused on the continuous delivery and evolution of live game content. The emphasis on "live ops specialists" and "monthly content releases" highlights the operational aspect of ensuring consistent, high-quality player engagement through a well-managed content pipeline.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of game design principles, behavioral economics, and systems thinking is implied. Educational backgrounds in Computer Science, Game Design, Psychology, or related fields may be beneficial.

Experience:

• Minimum of 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:

• Game Design Leadership: Proven ability to set vision, direct creative efforts, and manage multiple design streams.

• F2P Systems Design: Deep expertise in designing core gameplay loops, progression systems, and player onboarding for F2P mobile games.

• Economy Design Mastery: Extensive experience in balancing complex game economies, resource flow, pacing, and monetization strategies.

• Team Management & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, develop, and manage design teams, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to translate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and analytical data into actionable design direction and improvements.

• Spreadsheet Proficiency: Mastery of spreadsheets (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) for complex balancing, modeling, and simulation.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with Product Managers, Engineers, Analysts, Artists, and Live Ops teams in a production environment.

• Creative Direction: Ability to provide clear, consistent, and impactful creative direction that elevates the work of others.

Preferred Skills:

• 4X Genre Expertise: In-depth understanding and specific experience within the 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) genre, particularly in F2P contexts.

• SQL/Scripting/Simulation Tools: Familiarity with SQL for data analysis, scripting languages for tool development, or simulation tools for economy modeling.

• Monetization & Retention Strategy: Proven track record in designing and optimizing monetization and retention mechanics that align with player value and business goals.

• Live Operations Integration: Experience integrating design into live operations cadences, including planning and executing live events and updates.

• Star Trek/Sci-Fi Affinity: Genuine interest or passion for the Star Trek universe, science fiction, or deeply strategic social games.

• Alliance/Co-op Systems: Previous work on designing and balancing alliance or cooperative gameplay systems in large-scale multiplayer games.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirements (8+ years in F2P systems/economy design, 5+ years in leadership) firmly place this in a senior leadership category within game development operations. The emphasis on F2P, live games, KPIs, and data analysis highlights the operational nature of ensuring long-term game success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Documentation: Examples of well-structured design documents, including system specifications, feature proposals, and economy models, demonstrating clarity and thoroughness.

• Economy Balancing Case Studies: Demonstrations of how complex game economies were designed, balanced, and iterated upon, showcasing analytical skills and problem-solving for F2P games.

• Progression System Designs: Visual or documented examples of player progression systems, detailing pacing, reward structures, and player motivation strategies.

• Live Game Impact: Evidence of contributions to live games, showing how designs positively impacted key metrics such as retention, monetization, or player engagement.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of how design processes were structured, improved, or adapted to ensure efficient content creation and delivery for live games.

• System Implementation & Automation: Demonstrate experience in working with development teams to implement complex systems and any efforts made towards automating design tasks or workflows.

• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Illustrate how designed systems were measured for performance post-launch, including the use of data analysis, player feedback loops, and iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the nature of a Game Design Director role in a live service game necessitates a strong portfolio. This section infers the types of content that would be expected to demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage complex systems, lead design efforts, and drive measurable results in a live environment.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The estimated salary range for a Game Design Director in Barcelona, Dublin, or the UK, with 10+ years of experience in F2P/MMO/4X game design leadership, typically falls between €90,000 - €140,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary & Bonus Structure: Reflecting the senior leadership level and impact on a major title.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Remote Work Flexibility: Full remote work opportunity within Ireland, Spain, or the UK, offering work-life balance.

• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for participation in company success through equity grants.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and learning to stay at the forefront of game design and industry trends.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to pension schemes or similar retirement savings plans.

• Team Events & Social Activities: Opportunities to connect with colleagues, both virtually and potentially in person.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically around 40 hours per week. However, given the nature of live game development and leadership roles, some flexibility and willingness to work beyond standard hours during critical release periods or for urgent issues may be expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on industry data for senior game design leadership roles in Western Europe. Benefits are typical for a company of Scopely's size and industry standing, with a strong emphasis on remote work flexibility as stated in the job.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mobile Video Games / Interactive Entertainment. Scopely operates within a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market, known for its focus on live-service games that foster long-term player engagement and monetization.

Company Size: Scopely is a large, global company, indicated by its "thousands of world-class gamemakers" and "global operations and partners across four continents." This suggests a robust organizational structure with established processes and significant resources.

Founded: Scopely was founded in 2011. Its history of growth, including strategic acquisitions, points to a dynamic and ambitious company culture that values innovation and market leadership.

Team Structure:

• The Game Design Director will lead a specialized team of designers and live ops specialists focused on Star Trek Fleet Command. This team likely comprises individuals with expertise in systems design, economy balancing, content creation, and live event management.

• This role will report into senior leadership within the Star Trek Fleet Command studio, potentially a Head of Studio, VP of Product, or Chief Product Officer, depending on the organizational hierarchy.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Scopely emphasizes utilizing KPIs and player data to inform design decisions, optimize game systems, and drive player engagement and monetization.

• Iterative Development: As a live-service game company, an iterative approach to development, involving continuous updates, A/B testing, and response to player feedback, is standard.

• Player-Centricity: The company's mission to "inspire play, every day" and focus on creating "experiences players love" indicates a strong emphasis on understanding and catering to player needs and desires.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Scopely's description as a "leading video game and global interactive entertainment company" with top-grossing titles indicates a data-driven, performance-oriented culture. The emphasis on "play" and "connections" suggests a balance between business objectives and player enjoyment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, equivalent to a Director or VP level within a game development studio's product and design organization. It requires extensive experience in both hands-on design and strategic team/product management. The scope of responsibility covers the core player experience and economic health of a major live-service title.

Reporting Structure: The Game Design Director will likely report to a higher-level executive such as a VP of Product, Head of Studio, or Chief Product Officer. They will, in turn, manage a team of designers and live ops specialists. This structure allows for strategic alignment with broader company goals while enabling deep specialization within the game's design.

Operations Impact: The Game Design Director's role is crucial for the ongoing success and revenue generation of Star Trek Fleet Command. By shaping content, progression, and economy, they directly influence player engagement, retention, and monetization, thereby impacting the game's lifetime value and Scopely's overall financial performance. Their decisions have a direct operational impact on the player base and the game's market position.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to VP of Product, Head of Design, or Studio Head roles within Scopely, overseeing multiple titles or larger studios.

• Strategic Product Ownership: Opportunity to take on broader product strategy roles, influencing the direction of new game development or the expansion of existing IPs.

• Cross-Studio/IP Influence: Possibility to leverage expertise across different Scopely titles or contribute to the strategic direction of new intellectual property development.

• Specialized Expertise Development: Deepening expertise in specific areas like monetization strategy, player psychology, or advanced economy simulation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a clear step into executive-level game development leadership, offering significant influence and growth potential within a major player in the mobile gaming industry. The operational impact is directly tied to the game's commercial success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job explicitly states "remote basis" within Ireland, Spain, or the UK. This indicates a distributed workforce model, with the company supporting employees working from home.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, Scopely has offices in Barcelona, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland, and operates across the United Kingdom. This suggests that while remote, there may be opportunities for occasional in-person collaboration or team gatherings in these locations.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration Tools: Expect heavy reliance on digital communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Discord, Zoom, Microsoft Teams) for team meetings, design discussions, and project updates.

• Data & Analytics Platforms: Access to robust analytics dashboards, BI tools, and potentially data querying interfaces to monitor game performance and player behavior.

• Design & Development Software: Standard game development tools, potentially including game engines (though the director role is less hands-on with engine specifics), issue tracking systems (Jira), and specialized design software.

• Team Interaction: While remote, the emphasis on a "positive, thoughtful, and collaborative approach" implies a culture that actively seeks to foster connection and teamwork through virtual means.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. However, the dynamic nature of live game operations may require flexibility to address urgent issues, participate in global team meetings (across time zones), or ensure timely delivery of content updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role is a key aspect, requiring strong self-discipline and excellent digital communication skills. The company's physical presence in key European locations suggests a potential for hybrid or occasional in-person interactions for strategic planning or team building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on alignment with core experience requirements (leadership, F2P/MMO/4X experience, economy design).

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the direct hiring manager (likely a senior executive) to assess leadership style, strategic thinking, and overall fit for the role and team.

• Design Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with other design leaders, senior designers, or key cross-functional partners (e.g., Product Manager, Lead Engineer) to evaluate technical expertise, collaborative approach, and problem-solving skills.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates will present their portfolio, showcasing specific examples of their work, design philosophy, and impact on previous titles. This often includes a case study on a complex system or economy they designed or managed.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (e.g., VP of Product, CPO) to discuss strategic vision, company alignment, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select projects that best demonstrate your leadership, systems design, economy balancing, and F2P expertise. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Quantify Achievements: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the challenges faced, your proposed solutions, and the measurable impact (e.g., "Increased player retention by X%," "Improved monetization revenue by Y%," "Streamlined design process, reducing iteration time by Z%"). Use data and KPIs.

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you mentored teams, managed designers, or influenced the strategic direction of a game.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by role, project type, or impact area. Use clear visuals, concise descriptions, and well-reasoned explanations.

• Prepare a Case Study: Be ready to deep-dive into one or two significant projects, explaining the design process from concept to live operations, including challenges and lessons learned. For this role, a deep dive into economy design and progression modeling is highly recommended.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenarios: Be prepared for hypothetical design challenges related to balancing economies, designing new progression systems, or addressing player retention issues in a 4X MMO context.

• Strategic Vision: Articulate your vision for the future of Star Trek Fleet Command's design, considering current trends, player base, and potential growth areas.

• Leadership Philosophy: Be ready to discuss your approach to managing, mentoring, and fostering a high-performing design team.

• Data Interpretation: Practice discussing how you would use data and KPIs to inform design decisions and measure success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount for design leadership roles. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their past work but also articulate their strategic thinking and leadership capabilities through detailed case studies and scenario-based discussions.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Spreadsheets: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is critical for economy balancing, power curve modeling, and resource flow analysis.

• Game Design Software: While not explicitly listed, experience with industry-standard design tools for documentation and potentially diagramming (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart, Miro) is expected.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, or Asana for managing tasks, tracking progress, and documenting design specifications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with data visualization and analysis platforms like Tableau, Looker, Power BI, or similar tools used for tracking game KPIs.

• SQL: Proficiency in SQL is listed as a bonus but highly recommended for direct data querying and analysis of player behavior and game performance.

• In-game Analytics: Understanding how to interpret data from internal game analytics systems to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not core to the design director role, understanding how CRM principles and marketing automation might influence player lifecycle and engagement within the game ecosystem could be beneficial. However, direct experience with CRM software is not a primary requirement.

• Simulation Tools: Familiarity with simulation tools for economy modeling or predictive analysis is listed as a bonus, indicating an interest in advanced analytical approaches to design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on spreadsheets and data analysis tools highlights the analytical and quantitative nature of this design leadership role. The bonus point for SQL and simulation tools suggests a desire for candidates who can leverage advanced techniques for economy design and player behavior prediction.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value driving the creation of engaging and enjoyable experiences that players will return to. This translates to a focus on understanding player needs and ensuring game systems are fair and rewarding.

• Data-Driven Excellence: A commitment to using data and analytics to inform decisions, measure success, and continuously optimize game performance and player engagement.

• Innovation & Evolution: A drive to push the boundaries of the 4X genre and F2P game design, constantly seeking new ways to enhance gameplay and player experience.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where team members can openly share ideas, provide constructive feedback, and work together across disciplines to achieve common goals.

• Accountability & Ownership: Encouraging team members to take ownership of their work, deliver on commitments, and be accountable for the outcomes of their designs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Synergy: A highly collaborative approach, working closely with Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, Marketing, and Community teams to ensure a cohesive and successful game.

• Mentorship and Development: A culture that values nurturing talent, with senior leaders actively mentoring and developing junior and mid-level designers.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback is given and received constructively, enabling continuous improvement of both the game and the team's work.

• Iterative Improvement: Embracing a mindset of continuous refinement, where designs are tested, evaluated, and iterated upon based on data and player feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Scopely's stated values ("inspire play," "meaningful connections," "force for good") suggest a culture that balances ambitious business goals with a genuine passion for gaming and player community. The emphasis on data and innovation aligns with the operational needs of a successful live-service game.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Complex Economies: Managing and evolving the intricate economy of a long-running F2P MMO like Star Trek Fleet Command, ensuring fairness, preventing exploits, and maintaining monetization effectiveness.

• Sustaining Player Engagement: Keeping a large, established player base engaged over the long term through fresh content, compelling progression, and meaningful social interactions.

• Leading a Remote Team: Effectively managing, motivating, and fostering a strong team culture among designers and live ops specialists who are geographically dispersed.

• Driving Genre Innovation: Continuously innovating within the established 4X genre to differentiate the game and attract/retain players in a competitive market.

• Translating Data into Design: Effectively interpreting complex player data and KPIs to inform strategic design decisions that align with both player satisfaction and business objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Economy Design: Deepening expertise in advanced economic modeling, predictive analytics, and behavioral economics as applied to F2P games.

• Leadership Development: Access to leadership training, executive coaching, and opportunities to hone strategic decision-making skills at a senior level.

• Industry Trends & Technology: Staying abreast of emerging trends in game design, monetization strategies, and live operations best practices through conferences, workshops, and internal knowledge sharing.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining deeper insights into areas like AI in game design, advanced analytics, or player community management through collaboration with specialized teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexities of managing a large-scale live-service game. The growth opportunities focus on advancing both specialized design skills and broader leadership capabilities within the gaming industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on balancing F2P game economies. How do you approach sustainability and player value simultaneously?" (Focus on your process, analytical tools, and understanding of player psychology.)

• "How would you go about designing a new long-term progression system for Star Trek Fleet Command that appeals to both new and veteran players?" (Be ready to outline your ideation, prototyping, balancing, and testing methodology.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the opportunity to lead design for Star Trek Fleet Command at Scopely?" (Connect your passion for games, strategy, and leadership to the specific title and company.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and high-performing culture within a remote design team?" (Provide concrete examples of your leadership style, communication strategies, and team-building initiatives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem/goal, your role and approach, the solution/design, and the measurable outcome/impact. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a framework.

• Highlight Leadership: For leadership roles, emphasize how you guided teams, mentored designers, and influenced strategic direction, not just your individual contributions.

• Data is Key: Whenever possible, back up your claims with quantitative data (KPI improvements, revenue impact, engagement metrics).

• Showcase Process: Explain your design process, from concept and documentation to implementation, testing, and live operations.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, balancing decisions, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, deep F2P/MMO/4X design expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a data-driven, collaborative approach. The portfolio presentation is a critical opportunity to showcase these skills with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your comprehensive resume/CV (in English) through the provided application link on the Scopely careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your most relevant experience in F2P systems design, economy balancing, game design leadership, and live game operations for MMO/4X genres. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases quantifiable achievements and leadership impact.

• Resume Optimization: Integrate keywords from the job description naturally into your resume, focusing on experience with F2P, MMO, 4X, economy design, progression modeling, team management, KPI analysis, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership approach, and problem-solving skills. Prepare detailed case studies from your portfolio, focusing on how you achieved measurable results and led design teams.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Scopely's portfolio, their approach to live-service games, and their company culture. Understand the context of Star Trek Fleet Command's success and its market position.

⚠️ 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.