Sr. Manager, Game Design

About the role

You will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience to ensure it remains compelling and accessible. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity will aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players at every touchpoint. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work with every tool at hand to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that'll delight millions around the world. In this role, you will own the strategic vision for your projects, translating high-level concepts into executable design frameworks. You will serve as a key thought leader, challenging assumptions and pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Ultimately, you will prove an innovative game concept in the early stages of development and shepherd it toward a groundbreaking player journey.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Build and manage multiple teams of designers spanning multiple design sub-disciplines to ensure cohesive output.
• Coach, manage, and mentor design teams tackling multiple design challenges while fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Work collaboratively with the design team and team leads to create a great holistic experience that aligns with product goals.
• Create clear design documentation that can be evaluated and implemented by non-designers to bridge communication gaps.
• Help guide the project from pre-production to launch and ongoing live support, maintaining design integrity throughout the lifecycle.
• Partner with artists and engineers to iterate on mechanics, systems, and content that reinforce the core design pillars.
• Synthesize player feedback and behavioral data to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses during early development.
• Own the design vision for an unannounced R&D product, helping to define its unique identity and market position.
• Mentor junior designers in their professional development, focusing on craft excellence and player empathy.
• Participate in the hiring process for multiple design teams to ensure the addition of high-caliber creative talent.
• Drive design iteration cycles using rapid prototyping techniques to explore diverse creative solutions.
• Align cross-functional stakeholders to maintain design coherence and momentum toward shared objectives.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience managing design teams, demonstrating proven leadership in a collaborative environment.
• 8+ years of professional experience working in game design, with a strong portfolio of shipped titles.
• Has owned major feature work including directing multi-discipline teams from concept through execution.
• Experience working in the early-prototype phase of development on at least one game, contributing to foundational systems.
• Demonstrated ability to create design documentation that is clear, concise, and actionable for diverse audiences.
• Strong understanding of player psychology and motivation to craft experiences that resonate on an emotional level.
• Commitment to putting players first, reflecting on how design choices impact player sentiment and long-term engagement.
• Willingness to embrace ambiguity and iterate based on feedback in a fast-paced, experimental environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate design intent and rationale effectively.
• Passion for games and a personal relationship with the medium, showing deep knowledge of interactive systems.

Nice to have

• Experience with game engines (i.e. Unreal, Unity, etc.) to facilitate technical discussions and prototype validation.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time position based in Los Angeles, USA.
• Employment is at-will and aligned with Riot Games' policies and local regulations.
• The role involves participation in hiring activities, requiring availability for interview sessions.
• Willingness to relocate or commute to the Los Angeles office is essential for this role.
• Candidates must adhere to all company policies regarding equal employment opportunity and ethical conduct.
• The position may require occasional travel within the region for team collaboration or stakeholder meetings.
• Visa sponsorship may be considered for eligible candidates, subject to legal requirements and role necessity.
• Applicants must meet the required experience thresholds as stated in the qualifications section.
• The successful candidate will need to integrate into a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and player empathy.
• This role reports to the Director of Game Design and operates within a matrixed team structure.
• The position is part of an unannounced R&D initiative, requiring discretion and a high tolerance for experimental work.
• Professional growth is supported through mentorship, learning opportunities, and access to industry resources.
• The work environment encourages experimentation, accountability, and ownership of creative outcomes.
• Success in this role depends on the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• The role contributes directly to the creation of innovative player experiences that impact millions globally.