Director of Game Design

$400,000 USD/year ^{Pay is set based on global value, not the local market. Most roles = hourly rate x 40 hrs x 50 weeks}  ($200 USD/hour)

• Establish and own the creative vision, core gameplay systems, and strategic product direction for a business simulation game that imparts genuine entrepreneurial skills through intrinsically engaging play.

• Recruit and manage a senior game development team, attracting outstanding talent and fostering a culture focused on rapid delivery and continuous iteration.

• Collaborate closely with Founders School leadership, educators, and practicing entrepreneurs to convert authentic business principles into captivating game mechanics.

• Integrate AI across every phase of the development cycle to expedite design iteration, systems balancing, prototyping, content generation, and production pipelines.

• Achieve concrete milestones, including a fully playable vertical slice within 12 months, validated playtests with teenage users, and a robust architecture for future simulation titles.

• Developing yet another conventional simulation game that recycles familiar mechanics without meaningful real-world application.

• Investing weeks or months drafting exhaustive design documentation at the expense of delivering playable builds.

• Operating within a large studio environment where creative direction is encumbered by bureaucratic approval chains.

• Treating artificial intelligence as a supplementary productivity enhancement rather than a foundational element of your design methodology.

• Producing educational tools that users endure rather than experiences they actively seek out and enjoy.

Direct the development of the world's most compelling business simulation game by assembling the team, articulating the vision, and shipping a product that transforms players into more capable entrepreneurs through engaging gameplay.

Success in Your First Year

• Within 6 months, you have shipped a playable vertical slice in which players advance by applying real business competencies to complete substantive gameplay objectives.

• Initial playtests reveal that teenage participants consistently characterize the experience as enjoyable before realizing the depth of their learning.

• You have recruited and integrated the founding development team, establishing a rhythm of regular, high-caliber releases.

• Within 12 months, you have deployed a closed beta to over 1,000 players, attained 40%+ retention at 30 days, and implemented a development tempo capable of producing new simulation experiences sustainably.

• Track record of shipping at least one commercially successful game that resonated deeply with its audience, preferably developed within a team of 10 people or fewer.

• Proven experience directing multidisciplinary game development initiatives from initial concept through public launch.

• Extensive expertise in designing simulation, sandbox, systems-driven, strategy, or management game experiences.

• Active daily application of generative AI technologies to accelerate game design and production, with demonstrable recent examples of AI integration in your creative workflow.

• Enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and authentic conviction in the importance of building profitable enterprises.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and talent acquisition capabilities.

• Availability to work on-site in New York City.

• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

• Background shipping sandbox, tycoon, builder, management, or simulation game titles.

• Experience designing products tailored to audiences under 18 years of age.

• Experience embedding education or skill acquisition into entertainment-focused products.

• Experience collaborating with prominent brands, content creators, or licensed properties.

• Demonstrated success scaling a game development team from early concept through successful market launch.