Game Design Director - Sims

Overview

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Welcome to The Sims, home to tinkerers, craftspeople, and storytellers. Our drive is to inspire everyone to make a better world through creative play. We're looking for a Game Design Director to grow and empower The Sims design team. You will lead craft quality, guide career development, and shape how we develop and support designers across The Sims 4. You will scale our management operations and manage a portion of the design team.
You'll build frameworks, programs, and culture that help game designers evolve their craft
—ensuring every designer has the tools, feedback, and inspiration to make an impact.

Location:

Vancouver, Redwood City, Kirkland or Austin; hybrid onsite three days a week.
You will report to the Senior Creative Director
.

• Provide coaching across systems, user experience, technical design, content, and narrative disciplines.
• Create and lead training programs that strengthen design craft and consistency.
• Partner and develop programming for Design Managers on career growth, leveling, and feedback frameworks.
• Support designers at every stage—from new talent building confidence to senior experts refining mastery and leadership.
• Source and evaluate external trainers, ensuring quality and knowledge transfer.
• Foster team health through socials, learning days, and recognition programs.
• Build a learning organization where designers learn from one another and celebrate diverse perspectives.
• Work with partners on talent planning and hiring ensuring project coverage.
• Provide regular reports on team health and career development.

• 10+ years of game-design experience, including 3+ years in craft or people leadership.
• Experience developing designers and improving craft quality across teams.
• Broad design background with understanding of systems, UX, technical design, content, and narrative.
• Experience creating training programs for teams and individuals.
• Expertise giving constructive feedback and building trust across diverse teams.
• Experience supporting morale and creative growth in a large studio.

At The Sims, we believe great design culture grows through mentorship and shared learning. Together, we're continuing the legacy of The Sims—and we'd love for you to be part of it.

Required with Resume:
Cover Letter

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$130,800 - $183,000 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$150,100 - $228,000 USD
• Washington (depending on location e.g. Seattle vs. Spokane) *$141,300 - $192,000 USD

In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.

For British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees.

Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a…