Game Design Team Lead

The Company

Torn Banner Studios is a Toronto, Canada-based independent game development studio founded in 2010. We first made our mark with Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, a multi-million copy selling title that redefined melee combat in gaming. Since then, we’ve continued to grow and innovate, releasing Chivalry 2 and, most recently, No More Room in Hell 2, currently in Early Access. Today, our team of around 100 developers is dedicated to creating unique, challenging, and fun gaming experiences.

The Role

We are seeking a Game Design Team Lead to support a team of design experts by managing priorities, project milestones, and team performance. The ideal candidate combines strong organizational and people-management skills with a solid understanding of design and production workflows. This person will also play a key role in improving team processes, fostering a positive culture, and helping team members grow professionally.

Note: While this role can be carried out remotely, candidates are required to be current Ontario residents or willing to relocate to Ontario.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support a team of design experts through performance management, career development, weekly check-ins, and goal setting.
• Define and manage milestones for the Design team while balancing employee well being and business needs.
• Monitor team progress and proactively adjust plans to keep initiatives on track.
• Identify and improve workflows and task-related processes to increase efficiency and team performance.
• Effectively communicate with team members and leadership to proactively resolve conflicts and deliver solutions.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and highly engaged team culture while maintaining accountability and continuous feedback.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across departments, breaking down silos and promoting collaboration to achieve studio-wide objectives.
• Champion employee development through mentorship and learning opportunities.
• Depending on experience and interest, there is also an opportunity to act as the design owner for the design space surrounding PvE Encounter Design, Bot AI Design, and Bot Combat Rules within the project.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience managing design teams, or a related creative discipline.
• Background in design, production, or a related creative field.
• Ability to support multiple design experts in their respective fields. 
• Strong understanding of production goals and the ability to convert them into actionable team objectives.
• Proven experience managing schedules, milestones, shifting priorities, and team workloads.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Proactive mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Curious, adaptable, and eager to learn and grow.

Bonus

• Big bonus if you have experience with PVE Combat and Bots AI Design as a designer.
• Experience as a Producer.
• Experience in both a design role and a production role.

Benefits & Perks

• 6.5 weeks paid vacation
• Eligible for Employee Stock Options Plan
• Flexible schedule and work location, with your choice of remote, hybrid, or on-site.
• Healthcare & benefits plan, for you and your family
• 100% parental leave top-up for 16 weeks, for Canadian employees.

To see our team, our office and what we do as a company visit
We are Torn Banner Studios .

Torn Banner Studios welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Compensation

• The pay range for this role is $110,000 - $140,000 CAD per year. The range for this role represents candidates across a wide range of skills and experience for the position. Increased salaries may be achievable for those who have achieved mastery and deep industry knowledge over time. Your specific offer will rely on your unique experience and alignment to our team's needs for the position.

Transparency on use of AI and position vacancy

• Our recruitment process does not use artificial intelligence to automatically screen, assess, or select applicants. All decisions on progressing, rejecting, and offering candidates are made by human reviewers.
• One AI–enabled tool that may be used during the interview process is that of interview recording, transcription, and summarizing. Again, this would not make decisions, but simply make reviewing the notes easier. We will always ask for the candidates approval before using such a tool.
• In compliance with Ontario regulations, the advertised posting is for a currently vacant position.