Design Director, Hearthstone | Irvine, CA

$134,000 - $247,900/Yr

Canteen Vending - Irvine, CA

Part-time,Full-time - Senior

Remote - Irvine, CA

Food and Beverage Retailers

About the position

Blizzard Entertainment is seeking a Design Director for the Hearthstone team, responsible for guiding the game's vision and ensuring high-quality player experiences. This role involves collaboration with various departments, mentoring design teams, and driving improvements based on player feedback. The position is hybrid, requiring both on-site and remote work in Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Hearthstone leadership team to identify and deliver vision and direction for the live game.
• Drive cross-disciplinary working groups with clear goals, ensuring accountability to a core vision and quality bar.
• Champion quality in the delivery of engaging card sets, providing design feedback and removing roadblocks.
• Understand the game's community to identify friction points and opportunities for improvement.
• Use player feedback and data to influence direction and prioritization while supervising the game's state.
• Establish and maintain a creative environment that encourages experimentation and accountability.
• Cultivate the skills of team members, finding opportunities for their improvement.

Requirements

• 12+ years of professional game design experience, with at least 4 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Proven success in analyzing designs at a project level and delivering quality in a live service environment.
• Track record of leading, growing, and inspiring design teams while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding of 'games as service' and the live-service loop, especially in free-to-play games.
• Strong project management skills and ability to maintain a strategic vision.

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience with AAA game engines like Unreal or Unity.
• Background in math, content design, economy design, or live ops.
• Familiarity with user experience and user interface design principles.
• Active player of various titles, especially mobile turn-based strategy games and collectible card games.
• Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Hearthstone.

Benefits

• Health savings account
• AD&D insurance
• Paid holidays
• Disability insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid sick time