Game Director

$400,000 USD/year ^{Pay is set based on global value, not the local market. Most roles = hourly rate x 40 hrs x 50 weeks}  ($200 USD/hour)

• Establish and own the creative vision, gameplay architecture, and product strategy for a business simulation game that delivers authentic entrepreneurial education through genuinely compelling play.

• Assemble and manage a senior game development team, recruiting exceptional professionals and fostering a culture of rapid iteration and continuous refinement.

• Collaborate with Founders School leadership, educators, and entrepreneurs to convert real-world business fundamentals into engaging gameplay systems.

• Integrate AI across the entire development pipeline to streamline design iteration, balance tuning, prototyping, content generation, and production processes.

• Achieve defined milestones, including delivery of a playable vertical slice within 12 months, validated teen playtests, and a scalable architecture for future simulation titles.

• Producing yet another formulaic simulation game with conventional mechanics and negligible real-world relevance.

• Spending extended periods drafting design documentation rather than delivering playable prototypes.

• Operating within a large studio environment where creative choices are hindered by bureaucratic approval processes.

• Viewing AI as a supplementary productivity enhancement rather than a foundational element of your creative methodology.

• Developing educational products that players endure instead of games they authentically enjoy.

Oversee the development of the world's most compelling business simulation game by assembling the team, shaping the vision, and shipping a product that transforms players into more capable entrepreneurs through gameplay.

Success in Your First Year

• Within 6 months, you have shipped a playable vertical slice in which players advance through authentic business competencies by completing substantive gameplay objectives.

• Initial playtests reveal that teenagers consistently characterize the game as entertaining before realizing the extent of their learning.

• You have recruited and integrated the core game development team, maintaining a rhythm of consistent, high-quality releases.

• Within 12 months, you have deployed a closed beta to over 1,000 players, attained 40%+ 30-day retention, and instituted a development tempo capable of delivering new simulation experiences sustainably.

• Track record of shipping at least one commercially successful game that players authentically enjoyed, preferably within a team of 10 or fewer.

• Proven experience directing multidisciplinary game development from initial concept through commercial launch.

• Extensive expertise in designing simulation, sandbox, systems-driven, strategy, or management games.

• Active daily application of generative AI tools to enhance game design and development workflows, with capacity to present recent concrete examples of AI integration in your process.

• Enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and sincere conviction in the importance of creating profitable enterprises.

• Robust leadership, communication, and talent acquisition capabilities.

• Availability to work on-site in New York City.

• Authorization to work in the US without requiring sponsorship.

• Track record of shipping sandbox, tycoon, builder, management, or simulation games.

• Background designing products for audiences under 18.

• Experience embedding education or skill development within entertainment offerings.

• Experience collaborating with high-profile brands, creators, or licensed intellectual property.

• Demonstrated success scaling a game team from early-stage concept through successful commercial launch.