Game Design Lead

1 week ago


Sunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom tombola Full time £60,000 - £80,000 per year
Calling all Game Leaders Ready to shape the future of fun?

Do you live and breathe games? Can you inspire a team to create absolute magic, from that first spark of an idea right through to launching a brilliant new game for millions of players? Then we've got the perfect spot for you

We're tombola, the UK's biggest online bingo site, and we pride ourselves on building all our amazing games right here in-house. We're on the hunt for a talented and inspiring Game Design Lead to join our fantastic Game Studio team in Sunderland. This isn't just about managing projects; it's about leading the charge, setting the direction, and helping us scale our capacity for even more incredible gaming experiences

What you'll be getting up to (a glimpse into your exciting role):

You'll be the driving force behind our game development journey, guiding our expert squads (development, animation, and test) to bring their best work to life. You'll be:

  • Leading the Way: Taking ownership of the entire game delivery process, from initial concept right through to release.
  • Team Champion: Creating an inclusive, motivating environment where innovation thrives and solutions blossom.
  • Guiding Growth: Coaching and supporting our squad leads to help them (and their teams) develop their leadership and technical skills.
  • Player-Focused: Collaborating closely with our Product Management team to ensure we're always delivering maximum value to our players.
  • Strategic Thinker: Balancing workloads with production capacity, ensuring our priorities are always aligned with business goals.
  • Architectural Advocate: Leading the charge on game development architecture and finding clever technical solutions.
  • Talent Spotter: Helping us find and recruit the brilliant minds we need to keep growing and innovating.
What we're looking for in you (your leadership superpowers):
  • Proven experience in building, leading, developing, and managing people.
  • An in-depth understanding of gameplay creation and optimisation techniques.
  • That crucial commercial awareness to balance business needs with development desires.
  • A track record of creating polished game products, with an eye for exceptional UX.
  • Understanding of animation technologies (their benefits and trade-offs).
  • Knowledge of platform and browser limitations – you know what makes things tick

Bonus points if you have:

  • Experience with Pixi/Typescript.
  • Knowledge of iOS & Android app development.
Why this role is a game-changer for you:

As our Game Lead, you'll have a pivotal role in shaping the future of our gaming experiences. You'll lead truly collaborative teams, influence our technical direction, and ensure we continue to deliver top-notch, engaging games to millions of players every day. It's a chance to make a massive impact in a company that values innovation, creativity, and a genuinely great place to work.

Ready to lead the next big thing at Tombola? If you're passionate about games and ready to inspire and guide a talented team, we'd love to hear from you

Apply now with your CV and current portfolio and let's create some unforgettable fun together



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