Associate Director of Experience Design

Position Overview

Join the Legendary Team Behind Game of Thrones Legends

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? At Zynga, we’re crafting unforgettable experiences for millions of players worldwide, and our Game of Thrones Legends team is at the forefront of that vision. Launched in July 2024, this mid-core RPG with Match-Three elements has captivated a growing audience with its innovative gameplay and deep connection to the beloved world of Westeros. Our team thrives in a fast-paced, energetic environment, constantly delivering new features and elevating the player experience.

At the associate director level, you’ll join a world-class group of professionals who are passionate about creating top-tier games. You’ll work alongside visionaries across disciplines—Production, Product Management, Game Design, Engineering, Art, Sound, and QA—driving the future of Game of Thrones Legends. If you’re a dedicated fan of the genre with a track record in mid-core RPG development, we invite you to bring your expertise, leadership, and creativity to our Senior Leadership Team.

Responsibilities: Lead, Inspire, DeliverVision & Strategy

• Define and articulate a bold vision for experience design aligned with the game’s objectives.
• Drive innovation and ensure the design solutions resonate with our players.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor, develop, and inspire a team of talented Experience Designers.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with discipline leads across design, art, engineering, and production.
• Champion the integration of user-centered design principles within the development pipeline.

Player-Centric Design

• Oversee the creation of engaging user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final designs.
• Synthesize player needs with business goals to craft compelling, balanced solutions.
• Lead efforts to research player behaviors and analyze data to inform design decisions.

Team Management

• Establish and maintain design standards and best practices for the team.
• Provide clear direction and constructive feedback to ensure exceptional quality.
• Manage workload prioritization and task assignments, ensuring deadlines are met.

Hands-On Contributions (As Needed)

• Step in to produce high-quality designs, assets, or prototypes during critical milestones.
• Support technical implementation by collaborating with engineers and technical artists.

Proficiencies: What We’re Looking ForIndustry Expertise

• Deep experience with mid-core RPG games, with at least 6+ years in game development and 3+ shipped titles.
• 2+ years of experience running a live game with a regular release cadence and supporting players’ daily sessions through events and features.
• A proven ability to deliver exceptional user experiences in high-quality games.

Leadership & Communication

• At least 3 years in a leadership role, mentoring and managing design teams.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of aligning diverse perspectives and building consensus.
• Ability to present complex ideas to senior stakeholders and team members.

Design Mastery

• Expert knowledge of UX design principles and user psychology tailored for fun and engagement.
• Strong grasp of UI layout design, graphic design principles, and interface aesthetics.
• High proficiency with design and prototyping tools like Figma or Adobe Creative Suite.

Collaboration & Adaptability

• Experience working with technical teams to implement user interface assets.
• Flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, iterative development environment.
• Commitment to mentoring and sharing knowledge within the company’s design community.

Technical Acumen

• Familiarity with game engines such as Unity or Unreal and experience with mobile-first game design.
• Strong understanding of technical constraints and best practices in mobile game development.

Ready to lead the charge in crafting unforgettable experiences for Game of Thrones Legends? Join Zynga and let your expertise shape the future of gaming. Let’s build legends together.

What We Offer You: 

Zynga offers a world-class benefits package that helps support and balance the needs of our teams. To find out more about our benefits, visit the Zynga Benefits site

The pay range for this position in  Illinois at the start of employment is expected to be between $127,000 and $170,000 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 this position 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.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and 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.