Head of Game Design (Strategy)

TL;DR

Head of Game Design (Strategy): Leading the design department and overseeing the quality of the Supremacy franchise across four live titles with an accent on long-term strategy, 4X mechanics, and design standards. Focus on developing design leadership, driving AI adoption in workflows, and aligning design vision with product goals.

Location: Hybrid in Hamburg (Germany) or San Ġiljan (Malta)

Company

hirify.global is a global strategy game powerhouse shaping the future of long-term multiplayer gaming with a focus on the Supremacy franchise.

What you will do

• Lead the Game Design Department, including hiring, budgeting, and developing Game Design Leads.
• Define and enforce the long-term design vision and quality standards across the entire portfolio.
• Partner with Heads of Product and Producers to ensure design deliverables meet production needs.
• Establish frameworks and review processes to maintain a coherent design identity for the franchise.
• Foster a culture of trust and transparency, ensuring designers are supported and professionally developed.
• Integrate AI tools into design workflows to improve prototyping and iteration speed.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in game design, with significant time in leadership roles such as Lead, Director, or Head of Game Design.
• Deep expertise in strategy, grand strategy, or 4X games on PC or mobile.
• Proven track record of building and managing high-performing design teams.
• Hands-on experience with department-level budgeting, headcount planning, and resource forecasting.
• Ability to set and maintain high quality bars across multiple concurrent productions.
• Location: Must be based in or able to work hybrid from Hamburg or San Ġiljan

Nice to have

• Experience with F2P live-ops, specifically impacting retention (D1/D7/D30) and LTV.
• Strong background in systems design and balancing for complex, long-term player mastery.
• Knowledge of event-driven live-ops, seasonal cadences, and A/B testing.
• Prototyping skills using Unity 3D, spreadsheet modeling, or light scripting.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible hybrid work models that empower employees to do their best work.
• Structured Career Path Framework and a strong mentorship culture.
• Investment in professional growth via language courses, e-learning platforms, and conference support.
• Multicultural environment with over 30 nationalities represented.
• Human-first culture with regular social events, including game nights and karaoke.