UX Design Director | North America | Canada | Europe | Fully Remote
π Job Overview
Job Title: UX Design Director | North America | Canada | Europe | Fully Remote
Company: Escape Velocity Entertainment Inc
Location: Spain (Fully Remote)
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Game UX Design / Operations
Date Posted: 2026-04-28
Experience Level: 10+ Years
Remote Status: Fully Remote
π Role Summary
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Drive the overall UX vision and strategy for a AAA, cross-platform competitive title, with a specialized focus on Live Service and Meta Systems.
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Lead, mentor, and grow a team of talented UX Designers, fostering a culture of collaboration and high-quality output.
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Contribute hands-on to the UX design process, including the creation of user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and comprehensive documentation.
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Partner closely with Product, Design, Engineering, and Production teams to ensure seamless integration of UX principles with feature goals and player needs.
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Establish and maintain UX design principles, standards, and best practices to ensure consistency and excellence across all game systems and features.
π Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Game UX Design with strong operational undertones due to the focus on Live Service, Meta Systems, and cross-functional team leadership, which are critical in ongoing game operations and player experience management. The "Director" title implies significant strategic influence and team management responsibilities, common in senior operations and leadership roles.
π Primary Responsibilities
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UX Vision & Strategy: Define, articulate, and champion the UX vision for key game areas, with a primary emphasis on Live Service and Meta Systems, ensuring alignment with the overall product strategy.
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Hands-on Design Leadership: Actively participate in and guide the creation of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed UX documentation, ensuring a high standard of quality and usability.
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Framework Development: Develop and implement scalable UX frameworks that effectively support the integration of Live Service features, ongoing events, and continuous content updates.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Forge strong partnerships with Product Management, Game Design, Engineering, Art, and Production teams to ensure UX considerations are integrated from concept to launch and beyond.
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System Cohesion: Ensure a cohesive and intuitive player experience across all game systems, including navigation, information architecture, and interaction design, particularly within complex meta-game loops.
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Process & Standards: Establish, document, and enforce UX design principles, standards, and best practices to guide the development and iterative improvement of the game's user experience.
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Team Building & Mentorship: Support the growth and development of the UX design team, manage their workload, and foster an environment that encourages innovation and high performance.
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Data-Driven Iteration: Drive continuous UX improvements by leveraging player data, usability testing feedback, and live game performance metrics to inform design decisions.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic leadership and hands-on execution, typical for a Director-level role. The emphasis on "Live Service" and "Meta Systems" indicates a need for operational thinking around ongoing player engagement, retention, and monetization strategies, which are core to game operations.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for senior UX roles. Equivalent practical experience will be considered.
Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of experience in UX design, with a substantial portion dedicated to the gaming industry, specifically focusing on systems, live services, or player-facing experiences.
Required Skills:
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Game UX Expertise: Significant experience in UX design for video games, with a strong emphasis on systems design, live service operations, and player-facing features.
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UX Vision & Strategy: Proven ability to define, articulate, and execute a compelling UX vision from initial concept through post-launch live operations.
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Hands-on Design Proficiency: Expertise in core UX design practices, including creating detailed user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
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Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in collaborating effectively with Product Managers, Game Designers, Engineers, Artists, and Producers.
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Complex System Design: Experience designing for intricate game systems such as progression frameworks, in-game economies, storefronts, social features, and live content delivery pipelines.
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Player Psychology & Usability: Deep understanding of player behavior, cognitive psychology, usability principles, and engagement patterns within gaming contexts.
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Team Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading, mentoring, or managing UX designers, with a proven track record of enhancing team output, quality, and professional development.
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Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex ideas to diverse stakeholders.
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Tool Proficiency: Fluency in industry-standard UX design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (XD, Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch, or similar.
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Passion for Gaming: A genuine passion for building high-quality, engaging player experiences and a deep understanding of the gaming landscape.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing.
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Familiarity with data analytics tools and their application in UX decision-making.
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Understanding of player support and community management feedback loops.
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Experience in competitive gaming or esports titles.
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Knowledge of different platform UX considerations (PC, Console, Mobile).
π Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience and leadership in a "Director" role suggests a need for strategic thinking, operational oversight, and the ability to mentor and develop a team, aligning with senior operational roles in other industries. The emphasis on "Live Service" and "Systems" points to a need for understanding ongoing game operations and player lifecycle management.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Case Studies: Detailed case studies showcasing past UX design projects, particularly those involving complex game systems, live service features, or player-facing meta-systems.
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Process Documentation: Examples of how you've documented UX processes, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and user research findings.
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System Design Examples: Demonstrations of your ability to design for intricate systems, such as progression, monetization, social features, or ongoing content delivery.
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Leadership & Collaboration: Evidence of your leadership in UX initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and how you've influenced product direction.
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Iterative Design: Examples illustrating how you've used data, player feedback, or live performance metrics to iterate on and improve existing UX designs.
Process Documentation:
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Workflow Design: Showcase your approach to designing and optimizing UX workflows, from initial concept and research to detailed design and implementation handoff.
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System Architecture: Illustrate your understanding of information architecture and how you've structured complex systems for clarity and ease of use.
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Live Operations Integration: Provide examples of how your UX designs have been adapted for live operations, including A/B testing, feature iteration, and content updates.
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Performance Measurement: Examples of how you've defined and tracked key UX metrics to measure the success and impact of your designs.
π Enhancement Note: For a Director-level UX role, especially in a live service game, the portfolio should not only showcase design artifacts but also demonstrate strategic thinking, process ownership, and the ability to manage complex systems and teams over time, mirroring the operational rigor expected in GTM or RevOps roles.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Given the "Director" title, 10+ years of experience, and the fully remote nature requiring talent globally, a competitive salary package is expected. For a UX Design Director in Spain, a typical range could be β¬90,000 - β¬130,000 annually, depending on specific experience, location within Spain (for tax/legal purposes), and the company's compensation philosophy. For candidates in North America or other parts of Europe, ranges would adjust accordingly based on local market data.
Benefits:
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Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) allowance.
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Studio closure during Summer and Winter holidays (separate from PTO).
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Private Medical & Dental Healthcare.
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Private Mental Health scheme.
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A generous annual Health & Wellbeing allowance.
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Discretionary Studio Bonus.
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Top-range technology provided for your home office setup.
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Other region-specific benefits tailored to local regulations and employee needs.
Working Hours: While the standard workweek is typically 40 hours, Escape Velocity emphasizes autonomy, suggesting flexibility in how and when work is completed, provided important tasks and deadlines are met. This allows for adaptation to different time zones and personal schedules.
π Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for senior UX Design Director roles in high-cost European countries like Spain, adjusted for the competitive nature of the AAA gaming industry and the fully remote, global talent pool. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which is crucial for retaining talent in demanding operational roles.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Game Development (AAA, Cross-Platform Competitive Title)
Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the description implies a growing studio focused on a significant project, likely ranging from 50-200 employees, with potential for expansion. This size suggests a dynamic environment where individual contributions have a significant impact.
Founded: Escape Velocity Entertainment Inc. is presented as a studio dedicated to valuing the time, energy, and talent of its colleagues and players, focusing on creating rewarding experiences.
Team Structure:
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The UX Design team is likely to be a core part of the product development structure, reporting potentially into a Head of Design or directly to a Studio Director.
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This role involves leading a group of UX Designers, implying a direct reporting line for those individuals.
Methodology:
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Player-Centric Design: A strong emphasis on understanding and catering to player needs and behaviors.
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Data-Driven Iteration: Continuous improvement based on player data, usability feedback, and live game performance.
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Autonomy & Flexibility: Valuing individual autonomy in how work is performed, prioritizing impact over strict adherence to hours.
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Honesty & Transparency: Prioritizing open communication, even when delivering difficult news.
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Culture of Play: Fostering an environment that celebrates gaming and strengthens team bonds.
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Constant Improvement: A commitment to re-evaluating processes and priorities to ensure efficiency and focus on important tasks.
Company Website: eve.games
π Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes autonomy, player focus, and continuous improvement, which are key operational principles for sustainable growth and high performance in any GTM or RevOps environment. The "fully remote" aspect requires a deliberate operational approach to communication, collaboration, and team cohesion.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, operating at a Director level within the UX design discipline. It requires strategic oversight, team management, and the ability to influence product direction. In an operations context, this would be akin to a Senior Manager or Director of Operations, responsible for a critical function and its associated teams.
Reporting Structure: The UX Design Director will likely report to a higher-level executive, such as a Head of Design, Chief Product Officer, or Studio Director. They will have direct reports within the UX Design team.
Operations Impact: The role's impact on revenue and business decisions is indirect but significant. By shaping an intuitive and engaging player experience, particularly with Live Service and Meta Systems, the UX Director directly influences player retention, engagement, and monetization, which are critical drivers of long-term revenue and success for a live-service game.
Growth Opportunities:
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Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Head of Design or VP of Product role, overseeing broader aspects of the player experience and product strategy.
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Strategic Influence: Increased responsibility in shaping the studio's overall product vision and operational methodologies.
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Mentorship & Team Development: Opportunity to build and scale a high-performing UX team, developing future leaders within the discipline.
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Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like live service UX, meta-game design, or cross-platform UX strategies.
π Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential within the gaming industry, mirroring career trajectories in operations where leadership in a critical function can lead to broader strategic responsibilities and executive-level influence. The emphasis on team development and strategic impact is common in senior operations roles.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the "office" is wherever the employee is based, with a strong emphasis on creating an effective remote work setup.
Office Location(s): While the role is fully remote, it is specified as being available to candidates in North America, Canada, Europe, and specifically Spain. This suggests the company has legal and operational frameworks to support remote employees across these regions.
Workspace Context:
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Remote Collaboration Tools: The team will rely heavily on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Discord, project management software) for communication, ideation, and task tracking.
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Home Office Setup: The company provides "Top range tech for your home setup," ensuring employees have the necessary hardware and software to perform their roles effectively.
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Asynchronous Workflows: Given the distributed nature, there's an expectation of proficient asynchronous communication and workflow management, alongside scheduled synchronous meetings.
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Team Interaction: While remote, structured opportunities for team interaction, such as virtual team-building events, design critiques, and all-hands meetings, are likely in place to foster connection.
Work Schedule: The company emphasizes autonomy and constant improvement, suggesting a flexible work schedule. While a standard 40-hour workweek is implied, employees have the latitude to manage their time to maximize productivity and meet project goals, accommodating different time zones and personal needs.
π Enhancement Note: The "Fully Remote" nature of this role necessitates strong operational processes for communication, project management, and team cohesion. The provision of high-end tech for home setups is a key operational investment in remote employee productivity and well-being.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process: The process is designed to assess strategic thinking, design acumen, leadership potential, and cultural fit within a remote, collaborative environment.
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Application Submission: Submit a resume/CV along with any requested portfolio materials.
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Initial Screening: A recruiter will review applications and reach out to promising candidates.
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Portfolio Review & Discussion: Expect a deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on your approach to UX design, system design, live service considerations, and leadership experience. This may involve presenting case studies.
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Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Design, Engineering, and Production to assess collaboration skills and strategic alignment.
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Leadership/Director Interview: A final interview, likely with senior leadership, to evaluate overall vision, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex systems, live services, and leadership. Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant skills for this specific role.
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Showcase Process: Don't just show final designs; explain your thought process, the problems you solved, the constraints you worked with, and how you arrived at your solutions.
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Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs, especially concerning player engagement, retention, or satisfaction in live environments.
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Highlight Leadership: Include examples of how you've mentored designers, led projects, or influenced team direction.
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Prepare for Remote Presentation: Be ready to present your portfolio effectively using screen sharing and collaborative tools.
Challenge Preparation:
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System Design Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you might need to outline the UX approach for a new live service feature or meta-system. Focus on your process and strategic considerations.
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Leadership Scenario: Anticipate questions about managing designers, resolving conflicts, or driving consensus across departments.
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Company & Industry Insight: Research Escape Velocity's existing games (if any) and their stated values. Understand the AAA competitive gaming market and the unique UX challenges of live services.
π Enhancement Note: The application and review process emphasizes practical demonstration of skills and strategic thinking, common in operations roles where problem-solving and process improvement are key. The portfolio review is a critical component, akin to a project review or case study presentation in operational roles.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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UX Design Software: Proficiency is essential in tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (XD, Illustrator, Photoshop), Sketch, or similar for wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.
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Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools like InVision, Axure, or built-in prototyping features within design suites.
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Collaboration Platforms: Expertise in tools like Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams, or similar for day-to-day team communication and coordination.
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Project Management Software: Experience with tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking, workflow management, and progress monitoring.
Analytics & Reporting:
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Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with tools that can process player data (e.g., SQL, Python for data analysis) or understanding of analytics platforms relevant to games (e.g., in-house analytics, Unity Analytics, GameAnalytics) would be beneficial.
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Reporting Dashboards: Experience with dashboard tools for visualizing UX performance metrics and sharing insights with stakeholders.
CRM & Automation:
- Not directly applicable to this UX role in the traditional sense, but an understanding of how player data is managed and how feedback loops are automated within the game's ecosystem would be valuable.
π Enhancement Note: The technical requirements are standard for a senior UX role. The emphasis on collaboration and project management tools aligns with operational needs for efficient workflow management in a remote setting.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Player-Centricity: A foundational value where all decisions are made with the player experience at the forefront.
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Autonomy & Trust: Empowering individuals to make decisions and manage their work effectively, fostering a high-trust environment.
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Honesty & Transparency: Open communication and a commitment to sharing information, even when it's challenging.
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Constant Improvement: A drive to continually refine processes, tools, and the product itself for better outcomes.
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Collaboration & Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and working together respectfully across disciplines.
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Passion for Play: A shared enthusiasm for gaming that fuels dedication and creativity.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-functional Integration: Seamless integration with Product, Design, Engineering, and Production teams, fostering a unified approach to game development.
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Iterative Feedback Loops: Encouraging continuous feedback and iteration on designs and processes.
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Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across the team and studio.
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Agile Methodologies: Likely adherence to agile or similar iterative development processes that facilitate quick adjustments and collaborative problem-solving.
π Enhancement Note: The company's values are strongly aligned with principles of effective operational management: focus on the "customer" (player), empowering individuals, transparent communication, continuous improvement, and collaborative teamwork.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Vision with Execution: Effectively translating a high-level UX vision into tangible, implementable designs within project constraints and timelines.
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Managing Live Service Complexity: Designing for ongoing content updates, player retention mechanics, and evolving meta-systems in a live environment requires constant adaptation and foresight.
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Remote Team Leadership: Building and maintaining a cohesive, high-performing UX team in a fully remote setting, ensuring clear communication and strong team dynamics.
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Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Navigating differing priorities and perspectives among Product, Design, Engineering, and Production to achieve unified UX goals.
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Data Interpretation: Effectively translating player data and feedback into actionable UX improvements.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced UX Strategy: Deepen expertise in strategic UX planning for live service games and complex systems.
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Leadership Development: Formal or informal training in people management, strategic leadership, and team building.
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Industry Trends: Staying abreast of the latest UX trends, technologies, and best practices in the gaming industry, particularly for AAA and live service titles.
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Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior designers and contribute to the growth of the UX discipline within the studio.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior operational roles, requiring strategic problem-solving, adaptability, and strong leadership skills. The growth opportunities focus on advancing leadership capabilities and deepening specialized expertise.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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"Describe your process for defining a UX vision for a complex live service game. How would you ensure it aligns with business goals and player needs?" (Focus on strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and data integration.)
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"How have you previously led and mentored UX design teams? Provide an example of a time you improved team output or quality, and the operational steps you took." (Highlight leadership, team management, process improvement, and collaboration.)
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you most about Escape Velocity Entertainment and this specific role, given our focus on player experience and our remote culture?" (Research the company's mission, values, and any public-facing projects/statements.)
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"How do you foster collaboration and maintain team cohesion within a fully remote environment? What tools and strategies do you employ?" (Address remote operational best practices for communication and team building.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the measurable results.
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Focus on Systems & Live Service: Emphasize projects that showcase your ability to design for complex, evolving systems and ongoing player engagement.
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Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led initiatives, mentored others, or influenced strategic decisions.
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Be Ready for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your design choices, methodologies, and the challenges you faced. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and alternative solutions.
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Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific UX tools and how you leverage them to achieve design goals.
π Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role requires a blend of strategic, operational, and design-specific expertise. Candidates should be ready to articulate their leadership approach, process methodologies, and ability to drive results in a complex, remote environment, mirroring expectations for senior operations candidates.
π Application Steps
To apply for this UX Design Director position:
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Click "Apply" and submit your Resume/CV through the provided link.
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Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your most relevant experience in AAA game UX, live service design, complex systems, and team leadership. Prepare 2-3 detailed case studies that best demonstrate your strategic thinking and operational approach to UX.
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Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, key responsibilities, and achievements, using keywords relevant to UX design leadership and game development operations (e.g., "Live Service UX," "System Design," "Team Leadership," "Cross-functional Collaboration").
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership philosophy, and approach to remote team management. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and answer strategy-based questions with specific examples.
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Company Research: Thoroughly research Escape Velocity Entertainment, their values, and their stated commitment to player experience and remote work culture. Understand the competitive AAA gaming landscape and the operational challenges of live service games.
β οΈ 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
Requires significant experience in game UX design, specifically with complex systems and live operations. Must possess strong leadership skills and proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma or Adobe.