2K
Gameplay Design Director
About the role
Small Axe Studios, a newly launched 2K studio in Burnaby, is seeking an experienced Gameplay Design Director to lead the creative vision for an upcoming sports franchise. You'll serve as product owner for the gameplay team, overseeing second-to-second mechanics and systemic design while collaborating with engineers, animators, and producers. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on design work, requiring you to build and mentor a substantial design team while maintaining direct involvement in engine work to ensure the strongest player experience. The ideal candidate brings proven expertise directing high-quality gameplay systems in competitive sports games, with a track record leading design teams of 5+ people and coordinating larger development groups of 20+. You should have deep knowledge of animation technology, systemic game design principles, and the ability to translate a cohesive gameplay vision across multiple disciplines. A genuine passion for sports and sports video games is essential, along with the ability to inspire alignment across the studio on your creative direction. This is a hybrid position based in Vancouver offering a competitive compensation package. The base salary range is CAD $153,300–$229,020 annually, with additional potential for bonuses and equity, plus comprehensive benefits. Small Axe Studios is assembling a world-class team to build the next generation of interactive sports entertainment from the ground up.
Full job description
Expand to read the complete role requirements.
Full job description
Expand to read the complete role requirements.
Who We Are
Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is 2K’s newest stand-alone studio, built to push the boundaries of game development and bring 2K’s next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in Burnaby, we are assembling a world-class team of visionaries, builders, and passionate gamers who thrive on creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. At Small Axe Studios, we believe big things start with sharp focus—and we’re crafting an exceptional, player-first experience from the ground up. If you’re ready to tackle unique challenges, leave your mark on a brand-new IP, and help shape the future of interactive sports entertainment, we want you on our team!
What We Need
Our studio is looking for an experienced Gameplay Design Director who has a high quality bar, a passion for replicating authentic sports behaviors and experience in creating a systemic and sophisticated second to second gameplay.
You will partner closely with Engineers, Animators, Designers, and Producers to help lay the foundation, build, and innovate upon it to create world class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry. You will have the opportunity to drive the long-term vision for our sec-to-sec gameplay and partner with production and tech peers to lead a sizable team of developers to deliver against the vision.
What You’ll Do
- Be the ‘Product Owner’ for our gameplay team targeting specifically within the competitive landscape of a Sports Video Game
- Evaluate progress and game quality while partnering closely with Production to formulate and revise plans to drive execution
- Build & Grow your team with talented Gameplay Designers and System Designers
- Lead your team to ‘craft the design’ of our gameplay experience and manage design process & documentation
- Inspire and align the Studio on your vision for Gameplay in partnership with Engineers, Animators, and Artists to implement your vision
- Mentor and manage your design team, championing positive morale and a healthy team culture
- Be an ‘individual contributor’ when time allows with exemplify WGLL by being keen and able to be in engine in order to deliver the strongest possible experience
What Will Make You A Great Fit
- Passion for Sports and Sports Video Games
- Experience directing and delivering ‘product defining’ high quality ‘second-to-second’ game experiences
- Experience with, and passion for, systemic game design
- Experience leading a design team (5+) & directing a sizable development team (20+)
- Experience working with Animation Software Engineers and Animators and is familiar with animation technology (Blend techniques, Masking, Procedural Animation etc.)
The pay range for this position in Vancouver at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $153,300 and CAD $229,020 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.
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