The Walt Disney Company
Manager, Game Design, Creative Development- Disney & Pixar Games
The Walt Disney Company, Glendale, California, us, 91222
Job Posting Title
Manager, Game Design, Creative Development - Disney & Pixar Games Req ID: 10129530 About the Role & Team
Come and join our talented Creative Team at Disney & Pixar Games. This unique position requires a highly creative and motivated individual to partner with the best game developers from across the globe to build the next generation of Disney & Pixar Games. The Manager, Game Design, Creative Development — will be responsible for providing game design leadership across our portfolio of licensed games. They will manage our team of internal game designers, partner with our product development, marketing, and brand relations teams, and our world‑class game partners to deliver exceptional and authentic Disney and Pixar experiences for gamers and fans alike. They will provide game design/narrative guidance and brand feedback to our external development partners that will help elevate the overall quality of our diverse portfolio of mobile, console, and PC games. This role draws upon your expertise not only as a seasoned game designer but also as an authority on gaming trends and a passionate Disney & Pixar enthusiast who can creatively support the games our external partners are making. You will be the point person for game design and narrative submissions and discussions, leveraging best‑in‑class examples on the target platform and genre, and guiding gameplay and narrative through the lens of our characters and worlds to ensure each game is compelling, appealing, and an authentic Disney & Pixar experience. This is a full‑time role. You will report to the Senior Manager, Creative Development. This is an onsite position, and candidates must be willing to relocate to Southern California. What You Will Do
Team Leadership
Oversee the game design & narrative quality of the projects for which they and their designers are responsible. Work with the Creative Department lead regarding goals, priorities and individual project progress. Manage and mentor internal team members, providing game and narrative design guidance and sharing best practices that foster inclusive creativity and elevate game design and storytelling in our products. Identify opportunities to improve processes and pipelines for yourself and other design team members and apply best practices to elevate how the team approaches gameplay opportunities and challenges within our products. Serve as an internal game critic for all Disney & Pixar Games, focusing on game design and narrative, to elevate the quality of all the games across our portfolio. Lead internal game design/narrative initiatives based on direction from the Disney & Pixar Games leaders. Work with the Senior Manager, Creative Development, regarding goals, priorities, and individual project progress. Game & Narrative Design
Represent game design and narrative on the highest complexity projects as an authority on the worlds, stories, and characters of Disney & Pixar. Manage their team of Game Designers to oversee game design and narrative assessments and discussions throughout the product lifecycle (from ideation to release to live operations) on all projects. Provide editorial feedback and lead discussions on game design documentation, gameplay concepts, features, LiveOps plans, and playable builds, while fostering successful collaboration with partners and stakeholders. Review and provide actionable recommendations on story arcs, beats, and scripts to ensure authenticity and quality in our games. Proactively identify areas of risk affecting product quality, story, and player experience; provide actionable solutions to mitigate game design and narrative risks. Maintain familiarity with current game and game industry products and trends including popular gameplay features, trending genres, current platforms, and commonly leveraged retention and monetization techniques. Independently balance a workload of diverse projects in varying stages of development and team management. Brand & Franchise Guidance
Collaborate with partners to create gameplay experiences that authentically represent our brands and engage gamers and fans alike. Exemplify the role of a creative negotiator, representing and advocating on behalf of our development partners, studio leadership, and key Walt Disney Company stakeholders to deliver against our collective product goals and gameplay needs. Creatively work within existing and upcoming Disney and Pixar IP guidelines to provide guidance to our partners that ensure the gameplay and stories within our products are designed and executed mindfully, authentically, and respectfully. Required Qualifications & Skills
Expertise in game and narrative design, including system design, writing, and LiveOps. Background in quality gameplay experiences across a variety of genres, platforms, and audiences. Passionate Disney & Pixar enthusiast. Avid fan of games and gaming; stays up to date on new games and is a game player. Clear understanding of various gaming platforms (Mobile, Console, and PC) and various game types and genres. Experience in assessing and editing game design and narrative documentation including GDDs, feature specs, narrative outlines, and dialogue scripts. Experience in leading game design and narrative conversations and initiatives. Experience in collaborating and providing creative feedback to external teams, vendors, or agencies. Exceptional time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast‑paced dynamic environment. Highly motivated, flexible, and solutions‑oriented mindset. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to travel and have a valid passport. You Have
AA/BA/BS preferred or advanced proficiency demonstrated via an industry standard level of videogame design. 10 years of experience in game design for mobile/console/PC/online. 2 years of people management experience required. Has shipped mobile, console, and/or PC games with live operations components. Experience working on content based on intellectual properties. Experience with large‑scale, high‑profile, high‑complexity projects preferred. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Narrative/Writing LiveOps Design System Design Additional Information
Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at . #Gamesjobs #DCPJobs #DXMedia The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $126,800 to $170,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package. Job Posting Segment: NA – Games Job Posting Primary Business: Regional (NA – Games) Primary Job Posting Category: Games-Design Employment Type: Full time Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code: Glendale, CA, USA Date Posted: 2025-09-03 The Walt Disney Company
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Manager, Game Design, Creative Development - Disney & Pixar Games Req ID: 10129530 About the Role & Team
Come and join our talented Creative Team at Disney & Pixar Games. This unique position requires a highly creative and motivated individual to partner with the best game developers from across the globe to build the next generation of Disney & Pixar Games. The Manager, Game Design, Creative Development — will be responsible for providing game design leadership across our portfolio of licensed games. They will manage our team of internal game designers, partner with our product development, marketing, and brand relations teams, and our world‑class game partners to deliver exceptional and authentic Disney and Pixar experiences for gamers and fans alike. They will provide game design/narrative guidance and brand feedback to our external development partners that will help elevate the overall quality of our diverse portfolio of mobile, console, and PC games. This role draws upon your expertise not only as a seasoned game designer but also as an authority on gaming trends and a passionate Disney & Pixar enthusiast who can creatively support the games our external partners are making. You will be the point person for game design and narrative submissions and discussions, leveraging best‑in‑class examples on the target platform and genre, and guiding gameplay and narrative through the lens of our characters and worlds to ensure each game is compelling, appealing, and an authentic Disney & Pixar experience. This is a full‑time role. You will report to the Senior Manager, Creative Development. This is an onsite position, and candidates must be willing to relocate to Southern California. What You Will Do
Team Leadership
Oversee the game design & narrative quality of the projects for which they and their designers are responsible. Work with the Creative Department lead regarding goals, priorities and individual project progress. Manage and mentor internal team members, providing game and narrative design guidance and sharing best practices that foster inclusive creativity and elevate game design and storytelling in our products. Identify opportunities to improve processes and pipelines for yourself and other design team members and apply best practices to elevate how the team approaches gameplay opportunities and challenges within our products. Serve as an internal game critic for all Disney & Pixar Games, focusing on game design and narrative, to elevate the quality of all the games across our portfolio. Lead internal game design/narrative initiatives based on direction from the Disney & Pixar Games leaders. Work with the Senior Manager, Creative Development, regarding goals, priorities, and individual project progress. Game & Narrative Design
Represent game design and narrative on the highest complexity projects as an authority on the worlds, stories, and characters of Disney & Pixar. Manage their team of Game Designers to oversee game design and narrative assessments and discussions throughout the product lifecycle (from ideation to release to live operations) on all projects. Provide editorial feedback and lead discussions on game design documentation, gameplay concepts, features, LiveOps plans, and playable builds, while fostering successful collaboration with partners and stakeholders. Review and provide actionable recommendations on story arcs, beats, and scripts to ensure authenticity and quality in our games. Proactively identify areas of risk affecting product quality, story, and player experience; provide actionable solutions to mitigate game design and narrative risks. Maintain familiarity with current game and game industry products and trends including popular gameplay features, trending genres, current platforms, and commonly leveraged retention and monetization techniques. Independently balance a workload of diverse projects in varying stages of development and team management. Brand & Franchise Guidance
Collaborate with partners to create gameplay experiences that authentically represent our brands and engage gamers and fans alike. Exemplify the role of a creative negotiator, representing and advocating on behalf of our development partners, studio leadership, and key Walt Disney Company stakeholders to deliver against our collective product goals and gameplay needs. Creatively work within existing and upcoming Disney and Pixar IP guidelines to provide guidance to our partners that ensure the gameplay and stories within our products are designed and executed mindfully, authentically, and respectfully. Required Qualifications & Skills
Expertise in game and narrative design, including system design, writing, and LiveOps. Background in quality gameplay experiences across a variety of genres, platforms, and audiences. Passionate Disney & Pixar enthusiast. Avid fan of games and gaming; stays up to date on new games and is a game player. Clear understanding of various gaming platforms (Mobile, Console, and PC) and various game types and genres. Experience in assessing and editing game design and narrative documentation including GDDs, feature specs, narrative outlines, and dialogue scripts. Experience in leading game design and narrative conversations and initiatives. Experience in collaborating and providing creative feedback to external teams, vendors, or agencies. Exceptional time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast‑paced dynamic environment. Highly motivated, flexible, and solutions‑oriented mindset. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to travel and have a valid passport. You Have
AA/BA/BS preferred or advanced proficiency demonstrated via an industry standard level of videogame design. 10 years of experience in game design for mobile/console/PC/online. 2 years of people management experience required. Has shipped mobile, console, and/or PC games with live operations components. Experience working on content based on intellectual properties. Experience with large‑scale, high‑profile, high‑complexity projects preferred. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Narrative/Writing LiveOps Design System Design Additional Information
Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at . #Gamesjobs #DCPJobs #DXMedia The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $126,800 to $170,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package. Job Posting Segment: NA – Games Job Posting Primary Business: Regional (NA – Games) Primary Job Posting Category: Games-Design Employment Type: Full time Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code: Glendale, CA, USA Date Posted: 2025-09-03 The Walt Disney Company
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