Open to Long-Term Remote For U.S.-Based Candidates

Level Ex is a fast-growing games studio with a mission to advance the practice of medicine through play. We make video games…. for doctors. Our team of games industry veterans use the latest engine tech and art tools combined with game mechanics that span almost every consumer game genre - to capture the challenges of the practice of medicine as video games. 

Our games feature thrilling medical cases reimagined with the highest standards of design and deliberate game mechanics. They also employ state-of-the-art graphics, the latest art tools, and custom-built  physics tech:  including  GPU-based fluids, tissues, and soft-body systems that look and react like the real deal. 

We attract top artists, engineers, designers, and others from prominent gaming franchises, like Mortal Kombat, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Walking Dead, and Star Wars. Our caliber of talent keeps us in the forefront of the industry: GDC ranked our game design talk #2 of 194 in 2019, and we earned 2nd place at SIGGRAPH Real-Time Live! 2019, sharing the stage with Epic, Unity, NVidia, Digital Domain, and others. Meet some of our incredible team here, and learn why you’ll enjoy our company and culture - Video: Why Join Level Ex?

We’re now looking for an experienced Game Design Manager to join our team. You’ll be working closely with the Head of Design to manage the day-to-day operations of the design department.  You’ll also provide front-line leadership and direction for designers assigned to client projects. 

 What You’ll Be Doing with Us 

People Management  

• Manage and mentor other game designers: 
• Provide guidance and clarity on the high-level objectives of the department to designers
• Hold frequent touchpoints with designers and work to address individuals’ concerns
• Provide an escalation path for designers when challenges arise and work with individuals to resolve personnel issues
• Coach a high-performing team:
• Contribute to the performance management of individuals 
• Help designers with goal setting and look for growth opportunities that align to these goals 
• Work with designers to make sure they are performing according to the requirements of their level within the department competency model
• Manage team utilization: 
• Allocate design resources as appropriate to meet project objectives 
• Represent the design department in staffing discussions with production  
• Be a point of contact for the design team to resolve issues where designers are overburdened, underutilized, or misaligned to their skillset 
• Oversee design recruiting efforts: 
• Assess when new resources are needed based on forecasted allocations and provide justification to leadership to open new design heads 
• Write job requirements for new design positions
• Screen incoming candidates before passing on to the broader interview panel 
• Work with the internal People and Culture team to make sure we are accessing talent from underrepresented demographics 
• Suggest and implement department-centric process improvements

Project Leadership

• Oversee the design of products built for clients and core work
• Collaborate across a multidisciplinary team of game designers, engineers, medical researchers, artists, and project managers to identify game design objectives, establish technical specifications, suggest design solutions and make tradeoffs to best solve client challenges
• Ensure that specific, well-articulated goals are set for each project and communicated to the team 
• Set the standard for design documentation and review deliverables to ensure that all outgoing documentation is thorough, clear and oriented to achieve project goals
• Communicate design status to the management team for projects from pre sales through delivery 
• Inspiring and motivating our team to achieve high-quality within constraints
• Develop designs and be a key contributor for key projects as needed

Who We Want To Meet

• Minimum of 10+ years of professional, hands-on game design experience, preferably in senior/lead roles
• Experience with leading and managing teams
• A natural leader who can champion the larger vision, persuade others to pursue and achieve goals, and adopt new positions or opinions 
• Proven ability to document and communicate design ideas, and make smart tradeoffs
• A positive attitude, excellent work ethic, and the ability to encourage cross-functional teamwork to get results

Bonus Points For

• Understanding the psychology of game design, and experience applying those principles in new kinds of design and game mechanics
• Familiarity with medical and anatomy concepts
• Experience with Instructional Design processes and methodologies
• Experience in a client-facing role: 
• Have you pitched to external audiences? 
• Have you taken part in requirements gathering?  
• Have you run ideation/brainstorming sessions with clients? 
• Do you have experience working with Marketing or Strategy to make external-facing documentation regarding your designs (more akin to a pitch deck, not just GDDs)?

Benefits & Perks: 

• Multiple health insurance plans with 100% company-paid premiums
• 401(k) with generous company-paid match
• 4 weeks of PTO
• 100% remote for all U.S. employees or ability to work out of our awesome downtown Chicago office if you desire
• Dental and vision insurance 
• Pre-tax flex spending and commuter accounts
• Unlimited cold brew and gourmet coffee, kombucha, Bevi sparkling water, and craft beer
• Full kitchen and food options including breakfast, and both healthy and comfort snacks
• Team after-hours events, like Board Game Night

Interested?  

Please send us your resume along with an optional cover letter detailing why you’re an excellent fit using the links below. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring the possibilities.

Diversity Statement

Level Ex is the collective sum of all our individual experiences, backgrounds, and influences and we pride ourselves in growing and learning together. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone’s individuality is respected, and everyone has an Identity. Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us forward every day.

No Agency or Recruiter submissions will be accepted.

 Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job.

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