Chief Games Designer - Racing Studio

Based in Birmingham the Chief Games Designer will be initially working on a new and exciting licensed Racing IP.

General Overview of the position
Organization of and involvement in the conceptualization and direction of project(s) within the studio. Responsible for overseeing the designs of all projects within the studio - to monitor those projects through development ensuring that they adhere to the vision and direction, meeting the highest standard within required timescales.

Main duties and responsibilities
Conceptualise
- Arrange and facilitate appropriate design meetings and contribute considered comments and thoughts to the concepts being discussed
- Ensure that thorough notes are taken and the concepts being discussed are fully understood
- Evaluate all submitted games concepts for consideration by the Design Manager or the Company.
- Finalize the concept and vision for all the projects within the studio.
Research
- Use all sources available to research the relevant area(s) of design
- Coordinating the Games Designers in researching all projects within the studio.
- Organize and participate in the playing and objective review of competing products
- Organize construction of the required consumer research projects.
- Review and report on consumer research
- Investigate potential sources of research information

Documentation
- Setting design documentation standards
- Ensure that all allocated design work is documented in accordance with the standards outlined.
- Ensure all required documentation is produced in the timeframe agreed with customers.
- Ensure all necessary design work is produced for important development milestones
- Ensure all relevant design documentation is up to date
- Ensure the vision of the game is clear in all documentation
- Check Games Designers documentation
Communication and Implementation
- Manage the morale, motivation and development of the design team
- Ensure decisions allocated at design meetings are fully carried out and that the vision is carried through
- Communicate clearly with the design and development teams, ensuring documentation is fully understood and implemented correctly.
- Report back regularly to Studio Management on all areas.
- Option to overrule/veto any decision made by designers in the studio if felt necessary for the good of the project(s).
- Act as point of contact for any issues/requests concerning work done by or required by the designers in the studio.

Game Balancing and Play Testing
- Oversee the play testing and balancing of all projects, ensuring they are in line with the vision and direction as set by the Design Team.
- To play and suggest appropriate changes to games currently in development and prototyping
- Final approval on all design changes/issues raised
- To communicate regularly with other development team members on Game Balancing issues.

Education/Qualifications Required
- Minimum of 2: A level’s to C grade or above or equivalent
- Degree qualified graduate any subject

Experience
- A minimum of 5 years proven games design experience
- At least two completed titles
- Experience of playing both PC and console games
- Research experience
- Report writing
- Detailed understanding of development processes
- Worked on at least one RacinG Game at Lead Designer level
- Managing a team of designers (External candidates only)
- Worked on all relevant genres

Skills/Knowledge
- MS Office and PC systems
- Detailed knowledge and enthusiasm about how games work and are played.
- Detailed understanding of genres
- Able to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of relevant games both current and old
- In-depth knowledge of the games industry
- Knowledge of relevant subject matter

Art Packages knowledge
- 3D Studio Max knowledge
- Code e.g. C/C++ or AI programming
- Animation skills
- HTML knowledge
- Project Management

Aptitudes/Attributes
- Team Management & Leadership qualities
- Creative aptitude
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Ability to communicate complex solutions to problems encountered
- Able to manage time and work under pressure to tight deadlines
- Able to work on own initiative and within a team environment
- Able to constructively critique others work
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Evangelist

Other Job Requirements
- Willing to undertake further training to fulfill the requirements of the role
- Prepared to travel on company business at short notice.
- Willing to work additional hours to meet the demands of the role