Lead Product Designer | Mobile / Games
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Lead Product Designer | Mobile / Games
Company: GTO Wizard
Location: Prague, Czechia (Remote)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Product Design / Game Design Operations
Date Posted: September 14, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Fully Remote (Worldwide, with Central European Timezone schedule preference)
🚀 Role Summary
-
Lead product design strategy and execution for the PokerArena mobile game, focusing on user experience and engagement.
-
Drive the design of core game features including navigation, home screen, and player progression systems.
-
Foster the professional development of a small, dedicated game UX design team.
-
Champion a culture of rapid iteration and data-informed decision-making to enhance player value.
-
Leverage AI tools to scale design impact and improve efficiency within the product development lifecycle.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits at the intersection of product design and operations, specifically within the gaming sector. The "operations" aspect is derived from the responsibility for establishing design approaches, managing design systems, fostering team growth (a form of operational leadership within design), and driving a process of rapid iteration and learning. The role is critical for operationalizing GTO Wizard's expansion into casual poker gameplay by owning the player-facing product experience.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
-
Establish and champion PokerArena's product design philosophy and best practices.
-
Lead the end-to-end design process for key game features, including user flows, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes.
-
Define and evolve the user experience for the home screen, navigation, engagement loops, and progression systems within the mobile game.
-
Mentor and guide the junior game UX designer, providing constructive feedback and fostering their skill development.
-
Conduct regular user research, including direct player interviews, to deeply understand player needs, motivations, and pain points.
-
Collaborate closely with product management and engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and successful implementation.
-
Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by actively participating in and advocating for rapid iteration and A/B testing.
-
Advocate for user-centered design principles throughout the product development lifecycle.
-
Proactively identify opportunities to enhance design quality, consistency, and efficiency across the game product.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution, common in roles that bridge product vision with operational reality. The emphasis on "establishing approach," "owning design," and "fostering growth" points to an operational responsibility for the design function within the game product. Direct player interaction is a key component of operationalizing user feedback into design improvements.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of role. A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant experience can often substitute formal education.
Experience: A minimum of 7 years of experience in product design, with a significant focus on mobile game design, is required. This includes a proven track record of shipping new products and features.
Required Skills:
-
Product Design Expertise: Deep understanding of the product design lifecycle, from concept to launch and iteration.
-
Mobile Game Design Patterns: Expert knowledge of common and advanced mobile game design principles, particularly for engagement and progression systems.
-
UX/UI Design: Proficiency in creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces and user experiences.
-
User Research & Analysis: Ability to conduct user interviews, analyze feedback, and translate insights into actionable design improvements.
-
Prototyping & Wireframing: Skill in using design tools to create wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
-
Leadership & Mentorship: Experience in guiding and developing other designers, setting design direction.
-
AI Tool Proficiency: Familiarity and practical experience using AI tools to augment the design process.
-
Communication Skills: Clear, professional English language communication (written and spoken) for effective collaboration.
-
Agile/Iterative Development: Experience working in fast-paced environments with a focus on rapid iteration and shipping quickly.
-
Poker Enthusiast Knowledge: A foundational understanding of poker as a player to grasp player motivations and game mechanics.
Preferred Skills:
-
Experience with GTO (Game Theory Optimal) concepts in poker.
-
Familiarity with data analysis tools for user behavior.
-
Experience designing for freemium or play-money game models.
-
A portfolio showcasing successful mobile game launches.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "poker at least to the level of a non-professional enthusiast" is a unique qualification that speaks to the operational need for domain understanding to create authentic and engaging player experiences. The emphasis on AI tools suggests a forward-thinking operational approach to design.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
-
Game Design Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies of mobile games or significant features you have designed. These should highlight your role, the design challenges, your process, and the outcomes.
-
Engagement & Progression Systems: Specific examples demonstrating your expertise in designing effective player engagement loops and progression mechanics.
-
User Flow & Wireframing Examples: Visual documentation of user flows and wireframes for key game features.
-
UI Mockups & Prototypes: High-fidelity visual designs and interactive prototypes that illustrate your aesthetic and UX sensibilities.
-
AI-Assisted Design Examples: If possible, include examples where AI tools played a role in your design process, explaining the benefits and impact.
-
Quantifiable Results: Where possible, include metrics demonstrating the impact of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, retention, conversion rates).
Process Documentation:
-
Design Process Explanation: Be prepared to articulate your personal design process, emphasizing how you approach problem-solving, ideation, and iteration.
-
Rapid Iteration Methodology: Describe how you implement rapid iteration and learn from user feedback in a fast-paced environment.
-
User Research Integration: Explain how you integrate user research findings into your design decisions and workflow.
-
Collaboration Workflows: Detail how you collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders throughout the design process.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, especially in games, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of process execution, system thinking, and the ability to deliver tangible user value. The emphasis on AI tools and rapid iteration indicates a need for operational efficiency and adaptability in the portfolio.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Given the Lead Product Designer title, 7+ years of experience, remote work in Europe, and the specialized gaming/AI domain, the estimated salary range for this role in Prague, Czechia, is approximately €60,000 - €90,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for lead design roles in tech/gaming companies in Central Europe, considering the remote aspect which can influence compensation bands.
Benefits:
-
Fully Remote Work: Freedom to work from anywhere globally, with a preference for alignment with Central European Timezone for team collaboration.
-
Annual In-Person Bootcamp: A two-week company-wide event to foster team cohesion, collaboration, and strategic alignment.
-
Impactful Work: Opportunity to shape a product used by hundreds of thousands of players.
-
Strong Product Culture: Focus on user value and meaningful metrics over vanity metrics.
-
Autonomy and Ownership: Freedom to take responsibility and execute your best work.
-
Supportive Team: Collaboration with a sharp, passionate, and ego-free team.
-
Professional Growth: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to high-impact projects.
Working Hours: The role operates on a Central European Timezone schedule, implying approximately 40 hours per week. While fully remote, candidates are expected to be available for core collaboration hours within CET to facilitate team interaction and project alignment.
📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for remote roles in Europe requires careful consideration of the candidate's location and the company's headquarters/primary operational timezone. The listed benefits are highly attractive for remote professionals, emphasizing work-life balance and team connection.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: EdTech / Gaming (specifically poker training and casual poker games). GTO Wizard is a leader in AI-driven poker training, now expanding into play-money casual games. This dual focus requires a sophisticated understanding of both serious training tools and engaging consumer-facing entertainment products.
Company Size: Under 100 employees. This indicates a lean, agile organization where individual contributions have significant visibility and impact. It also suggests a more direct communication structure and less bureaucratic decision-making.
Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's established leadership in AI poker training suggests a history of innovation and growth. The expansion into casual games signifies a strategic pivot or diversification.
Team Structure:
-
Game UX Team: The Lead Product Designer will head a small team of two designers, including themselves. This implies a hands-on leadership role where the lead is actively involved in design execution.
-
Reporting: The role reports directly to the Chief Product Officer (CPO), indicating a high level of strategic involvement and direct access to executive leadership.
-
Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with product management and engineering teams, crucial for operationalizing design into a functional and engaging game.
Methodology:
-
AI-Driven Solutions: Central to the company's ethos, with AI used for training and potentially influencing game design.
-
Rapid Iteration: A core operational principle for product development, emphasizing quick shipping and learning from user feedback.
-
User-Centricity: A strong focus on delivering "user value" rather than vanity metrics, guiding product decisions.
-
Remote-First Operations: The company operates entirely remotely, with a preference for CET timezone alignment, impacting communication and collaboration strategies.
Company Website: https://gtowizard.com/
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on AI and poker positions it as a niche leader with a deep understanding of its target audience. The transition to casual games suggests a strategy to broaden its market reach. The remote-first, lean structure implies a culture that values autonomy, direct impact, and efficient communication.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" position, signifying a mid-to-senior level role with leadership responsibilities. It's an individual contributor role without direct reports, meaning the leadership is focused on design direction, mentorship, and driving process excellence rather than people management. The scope includes ownership of a significant product area (PokerArena).
Reporting Structure: Reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer (CPO) provides high visibility and direct influence on product strategy. This structure allows for rapid feedback loops and strategic alignment, crucial for operationalizing design vision.
Operations Impact: The Lead Product Designer's work will directly influence player acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall user satisfaction for PokerArena. This directly impacts the company's ability to scale its casual gaming business, contributing to revenue growth and market expansion. The role is critical in translating GTO Wizard's AI expertise into an accessible and enjoyable player experience.
Growth Opportunities:
-
Design Leadership: Develop expertise in leading design for a growing mobile game product, potentially expanding to other game titles or features.
-
Skill Specialization: Deepen knowledge in mobile game mechanics, AI-integrated design, and player psychology.
-
Product Strategy Influence: Contribute significantly to the strategic direction of PokerArena and GTO Wizard's casual gaming initiatives.
-
Mentorship: Gain experience in mentoring and developing junior design talent, building leadership capabilities.
-
Cross-Functional Expertise: Enhance skills in collaborating across product, engineering, and marketing in a remote, agile environment.
📝 Enhancement Note: The career path here emphasizes growth within a specialized domain (game design, AI) and leadership within an individual contributor framework. The direct reporting line to the CPO suggests opportunities for strategic influence and career acceleration.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the primary work environment is the candidate's home office. The company's operational model is built around distributed teams.
Office Location(s): While the role is remote and open worldwide, there's a preference for candidates to align with a Central European Timezone (CET) schedule. This is to facilitate real-time collaboration, meetings, and team synergy. The company does not have traditional offices for day-to-day work.
Workspace Context:
-
Flexibility: High degree of autonomy in setting up a personal workspace and managing work hours within the CET-aligned schedule.
-
Tools & Technology: Access to the company's standard suite of design and collaboration tools, likely including Figma, Slack, project management software, and potentially AI design assistants.
-
Collaboration: While remote, the company fosters collaboration through various digital channels and the annual in-person bootcamp, which is a critical touchpoint for building team relationships and shared understanding.
-
Annual Bootcamp: A mandatory two-week in-person gathering for the entire team, providing a unique opportunity for deep collaboration, strategic planning, and team building in a shared physical space.
Work Schedule: The expectation is adherence to a Central European Timezone schedule, implying approximately 40 hours per week. However, the remote nature allows for flexibility in how these hours are structured, as long as core collaboration needs are met.
📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first, CET-aligned model is a key aspect of the work environment. The annual bootcamp is a significant operational element designed to counteract the challenges of remote work by providing concentrated in-person collaboration.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
-
Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.
-
Portfolio Review & Design Discussion: A deep dive into your portfolio with the hiring manager (likely the CPO) and potentially another designer. This stage focuses on your design process, problem-solving skills, and specific examples of your work, especially related to mobile games and engagement systems.
-
Design Challenge/Case Study: You may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a prepared case study related to a specific game design problem. This assesses your ability to apply your skills to the company's context.
-
Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with other members of the product and engineering teams to evaluate collaboration style, technical understanding, and overall fit within the company culture.
-
Final Interview: Likely with the CPO or another senior leader to discuss strategic alignment, long-term vision, and final offer terms.
Portfolio Review Tips:
-
Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best showcase your experience in mobile game design, engagement systems, progression, and UI/UX.
-
Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved. Quantify impact whenever possible.
-
Highlight AI Usage: If you have used AI tools in your design process, clearly explain how and the benefits it brought.
-
Showcase Process: Demonstrate your thought process, not just the final polished designs. Include wireframes, user flows, and iterations.
-
Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your design decisions and rationale.
Challenge Preparation:
-
Understand the Game: Familiarize yourself with GTO Wizard's existing products and the concept of PokerArena. Understand the target audience for casual poker games.
-
Focus on Core Responsibilities: Tailor your preparation to the stated responsibilities: navigation, home screen, engagement, and progression systems.
-
Think Iteratively: Frame your solutions with an iterative mindset, ready to discuss how you'd test and refine them.
-
Consider AI: Think about how AI could be integrated into the solution or used to inform your design decisions.
-
Practice Presentation: Be ready to present your work clearly and concisely, articulating your strategy and rationale.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess both design craft and operational fit. The emphasis on portfolio and case studies underscores the need for candidates to demonstrate not just creativity but also a structured, results-oriented approach to design problem-solving.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
-
Design & Prototyping: Figma is the industry standard for collaborative UI/UX design and prototyping, and is highly likely to be the primary tool used. Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) may also be used for asset creation.
-
Collaboration & Communication: Slack for real-time team communication, project updates, and informal discussions.
-
Project Management: Tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking design tasks, sprints, and project progress.
-
User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting user interviews and surveys, such as Zoom, Google Meet, SurveyMonkey, or specialized user research platforms.
-
AI Design Assistants: Potentially tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, or AI-powered plugins within design software to assist with ideation, asset generation, or content creation.
Analytics & Reporting:
-
Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to track user behavior, engagement metrics, and feature adoption within the mobile game.
-
Data Visualization: Tools like Tableau or Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio) for creating dashboards and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) to stakeholders.
CRM & Automation:
-
While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data from the game feeds into broader company analytics or marketing efforts might be relevant.
-
Automation tools might be used for design workflows, asset generation, or testing.
📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with modern design tools like Figma is essential. The inclusion of AI design tools indicates a forward-looking approach to design operations. Familiarity with product analytics is crucial for data-informed design decisions and demonstrating impact.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
-
Authenticity: Leads through genuine interaction and transparent communication, fostering trust within the team and with users.
-
Quality & Consistency: Upholds high standards for design quality and ensures a consistent user experience across the product.
-
Player Understanding: Deeply values understanding player needs and motivations, making user-centricity a guiding principle.
-
AI as an Enabler: Views AI tools as opportunities to enhance design capabilities and scale impact, rather than as threats.
-
Initiative & Improvement: Encourages proactive problem-solving and continuous improvement in quality and efficiency across the team.
-
Rapid Iteration & Learning: Embraces a fast-paced, experimental approach to product development, valuing quick learning over perfection.
Collaboration Style:
-
Remote-First Synergy: Fosters strong digital collaboration, leveraging tools like Slack and video conferencing to maintain connection and productivity.
-
Cross-Functional Partnership: Works closely with product management and engineering, ensuring seamless integration of design into the development pipeline.
-
Constructive Feedback Culture: Encourages open communication and the exchange of constructive feedback to elevate designs and processes.
-
Knowledge Sharing: Promotes sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings within the design team and across departments.
-
Ego-Free Environment: Values collaboration and shared success over individual recognition, fostering a positive and productive atmosphere.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of individual accountability, collaborative spirit, and a forward-thinking approach to technology and user engagement. The "authenticity" and "ego-free" values suggest a mature and professional work environment.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
-
Balancing Casual vs. Expert: Designing for casual poker players while leveraging GTO Wizard's expertise in serious poker training requires a delicate balance of accessibility and depth.
-
Rapid Iteration Velocity: Maintaining high-quality design output while adhering to a rapid iteration cycle can be demanding.
-
Remote Team Cohesion: Ensuring strong team connection and alignment within a fully remote, globally distributed team, even with a CET preference.
-
AI Integration Nuances: Effectively integrating AI tools into the design workflow without compromising creativity or user experience.
-
Player Retention: Designing engaging systems that keep casual players returning to the game over the long term.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
-
Advanced Mobile Game Design: Deepen expertise in player psychology, monetization strategies (if applicable), and complex engagement systems for mobile games.
-
AI in Design: Become a leader in leveraging AI for product design, experimenting with new tools and methodologies.
-
Product Strategy: Gain strategic insights by working closely with the CPO and contributing to the vision of PokerArena.
-
Leadership & Mentorship: Develop strong leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and shaping the design direction of a key product.
-
Industry Trends: Stay at the forefront of mobile gaming and AI technology trends through continuous learning and potential industry engagement.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a growth-stage tech company expanding into new markets, requiring adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. The growth opportunities are substantial for a designer looking to make a significant impact and advance their career in a specialized, cutting-edge field.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
-
"Describe your process for establishing a product design approach for a new game or feature. How would you ensure it aligns with GTO Wizard's broader vision?"
- Preparation: Prepare to outline your methodology for initial concepting, user research, defining design principles, and creating foundational design systems. Emphasize how you'd incorporate user feedback and business goals.
-
"How do you foster professional growth in other designers while also staying hands-on with challenging design problems?"
- Preparation: Discuss your mentorship style, how you delegate tasks effectively, provide constructive feedback, and balance individual contribution with team development. Use examples of past mentoring experiences.
-
"Walk us through a time you had to quickly iterate on a design based on user feedback. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?"
- Preparation: Select a case study where rapid iteration was key. Detail the feedback received, the changes made, the rationale behind them, and any measurable impact. Highlight your agility and learning mindset.
Company & Culture Questions:
-
"What excites you about GTO Wizard's expansion into casual poker games, and how do you see your design philosophy contributing to that?"
- Preparation: Research GTO Wizard's mission and current offerings. Articulate how your understanding of player motivations and design expertise can bridge the gap between their training tools and casual gaming.
-
"How do you view the role of AI in product design, and how would you leverage it for PokerArena?"
- Preparation: Be ready to discuss specific AI tools or concepts you've used or envision using for ideation, asset creation, user analysis, or workflow optimization in game design.
-
"Describe a time you championed a user-centric approach when faced with conflicting business priorities."
- Preparation: Prepare a story that demonstrates your advocacy for the user, your ability to communicate user value to stakeholders, and how you navigated potential trade-offs.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
-
Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project or by design skill. Start with a brief overview of your experience and then dive into selected case studies.
-
Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, your process, the solutions, and the results. Quantify impact wherever possible (e.g., "Increased player retention by X%", "Improved task completion rate by Y%").
-
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) to illustrate your points. A live demo of a prototype can be very effective.
-
Articulate Your "Why": Be prepared to explain the rationale behind every design decision. Why did you choose this layout? Why this interaction?
-
Address AI & Iteration: Explicitly highlight how you incorporated AI tools or rapid iteration into your process and the benefits derived.
-
Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to answer theirs thoroughly.
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to probe strategic thinking, operational execution, and cultural alignment. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just "what" they designed, but "how" and "why," with a strong emphasis on process, impact, and adaptability.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:
-
Submit your application through the provided link on the GTO Wizard careers page.
-
Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 7+ years of experience in mobile game design, specific achievements with engagement and progression systems, and any experience with AI design tools. Use keywords from the job description.
-
Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant mobile game design projects, and clearly articulates your process, impact, and any use of AI tools. Be ready to present 2-3 key case studies.
-
Research GTO Wizard: Understand their mission, their AI poker training products, and their strategic move into casual gaming. Familiarize yourself with the PokerArena concept if possible.
-
Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to your design process, leadership philosophy, and experience with rapid iteration and AI. Be ready to articulate your passion for game design and player experience.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have at least 7 years of experience in product design for mobile games and a strong understanding of engagement and progression systems. Proficiency in English and a basic knowledge of poker are required.