Game Design Director, Founders School - $400,000/year USD

Founders School is launching a groundbreaking high school in New York City with a bold commitment: students will produce $1 million in profit before they graduate, or their tuition will be refunded. Yet our ambition reaches well beyond one location. We are creating the first business simulation game in which every significant advancement is unlocked by mastering authentic entrepreneurial competencies—pricing, marketing, hiring, and operations among them.
This is the founding leadership position that will bring that vision to reality. You will direct the game's creative strategy, oversee product development, and manage the development team in close collaboration with Founders School leadership. Your role is to evaluate the concept we have built, recognize what requires improvement, and contribute to shaping a stronger vision before assembling and guiding the team that executes it.
The opportunity is distinct from anything in the games or education industries. You must design a simulation that players are genuinely compelled to engage with for hours on end, while simultaneously delivering measurable improvement in their ability to operate a real business. Most games achieve entertainment. Most educational platforms fail to sustain engagement. We are convinced both outcomes are attainable, and we are seeking the leader who can deliver that proof.
You will also help establish how contemporary games should be developed. AI must be integrated into every phase of your creative workflow—from design exploration and systems balancing to prototyping, asset generation, playtest evaluation, and production execution.
If you have always aspired to create the game that defines your legacy, this is that opportunity. If this vision resonates with you, we are eager to connect.
What You Will Be Doing
Establish and direct the creative vision, core gameplay systems, and overall product strategy for a business simulation game that imparts genuine entrepreneurial skills through compelling, engaging play.
Assemble and manage a senior game development team, recruiting top-tier talent and fostering a culture focused on rapid iteration and continuous improvement.
Collaborate closely with Founders School leadership, educators, and entrepreneurs to convert real-world business fundamentals into effective and engaging gameplay mechanics.
Integrate AI tools across the entire development pipeline to expedite design iteration, system balancing, rapid prototyping, content generation, and production efficiency.
Achieve concrete milestones, including delivery of a playable vertical slice within 12 months, successful playtesting with teenage users, and a scalable architecture for future simulation titles.
What You Won’t Be Doing
Developing another formulaic simulation game with conventional mechanics and minimal real-world relevance.
Devoting months to extensive design documentation rather than delivering playable prototypes.
Operating within a large studio environment where creative direction is delayed by bureaucratic approval processes.
Viewing AI as merely an optional efficiency enhancement rather than a fundamental component of your creative methodology.
Producing educational content that players endure rather than games they are excited to play.
Game Design Director Key Responsibilities
Direct the development of the world's most compelling business simulation game by recruiting the team, shaping the creative 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 engaging gameplay challenges.
Initial playtests reveal that teenage players consistently characterize the game as enjoyable before realizing the depth of their learning.
You have recruited and onboarded the core game development team, establishing a rhythm of consistent, high-quality releases.
Within 12 months, you have deployed a closed beta with over 1,000 players, reached 40%+ retention at 30 days, and created a development process capable of delivering new simulation experiences at a sustainable pace.
Basic Requirements
Proven track record shipping at least one commercially successful game that players authentically enjoyed, preferably within a team of 10 people or fewer.
Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary game development initiatives from initial concept through public launch.
Deep specialization in designing simulation, sandbox, systems-driven, strategy, or management game experiences.
Active, daily application of generative AI tools to enhance game design and development processes, with ability to provide concrete recent examples of AI integration in your workflow.
Genuine enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and authentic conviction in the importance of building profitable businesses.
Proven leadership, communication, and talent acquisition capabilities.
Availability to work on-site in New York City.
Authorization to work in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship.
Nice-to-have Requirements
Track record shipping sandbox, tycoon, builder, management, or simulation game titles.
Experience designing products targeted at audiences under 18 years of age.
Background integrating educational content or skill-building into entertainment experiences.
Experience collaborating with high-profile brands, content creators, or licensed properties.
Demonstrated success scaling a game development team from early-stage concept to successful commercial launch.
About Founders School
Founders School is a four-year high school built for ambitious students who want to create, build, and solve meaningful problems. The program combines Alpha School's elite academics, real-world experience, and mentorship from world-class entrepreneurs around three commitments to every student: Build a million-dollar business. Identify problems in the world worth solving. Master AI before adults do.
This is a place for people who'd rather build the thing than manage the thing. We're hiring the founding team that builds the dream high school for the most entrepreneurial and ambitious students in the country. Launching in NYC Fall 2026.
There is so much to cover for this exciting role, and space here is limited. There is no Apply button in this version of the description. We look forward to meeting you!
Working with us
This is a full-time (40 hours per week), long-term position. The position is immediately available and requires entering into an independent contractor agreement with Crossover as a Contractor of Record. The compensation level for this role is $200 USD/hour, which equates to $400,000 USD/year assuming 40 hours per week and 50 weeks per year. The payment period is weekly. Consult www.crossover.com/help-and-faqs for more details on this topic.

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