Founding Game Director for Mobile Game Studio

No agencies. Any agency applications will be immediately denied without review. We’re seeking a founding Game Director to lead our mobile game studio and shape the creative vision for our first title. You’ll oversee gameplay, design, and development, while managing a small team and helping build a strong studio culture. This is a full-time, long-term opportunity for someone who can drive innovation, maintain quality, and guide the project from concept to launch. About Zabra Games Zabra Games is a Dubai-based startup studio focused on partnering with fast-growing and recognizable internet IP to create fun, social, and engaging mobile games for players worldwide. We turn popular digital IPs into high-quality gaming experiences that feel fresh, social, and shareable. Our headquarters are in Dubai, UAE, and we’re building a lean, high-performing team from the ground up. The Opportunity We’re looking for a Founding Game Director to take a leading role in our first game project(s). This is a high-ownership position where you will drive ideation, lead production, oversee art direction, and help build the core product team from zero. You will work directly with the founder and have significant influence over the creative vision, processes, and early team. This role is ideal for someone who has already successfully taken a mobile game from concept to launch and achieved strong commercial results (Top 50 charts or equivalent), and who is excited to build something new inside a well-resourced startup studio. Key Responsibilities - Lead creative ideation: Define core gameplay loops, mechanics, features, progression, monetization, and social/viral systems tailored to IP-driven games. - Act as production lead: Establish development pipelines, timelines, milestones, and processes from pre-production through launch and live ops. - Provide art direction and visual oversight: Set the quality bar and visual style, guide concept work, and ensure art supports gameplay and IP identity. - Build the product team: Create a hiring plan and help recruit and onboard key roles (Game Designers, Artists, Engineers, QA, etc.). - Drive data-informed iteration using playtests, analytics, and player feedback to reach product-market fit and strong commercial performance. Collaborate closely with the founder on strategy, IP partnerships, prioritization, and studio building. Requirements (Must-Haves) - Proven experience as a Game Director, Lead Game Designer, Creative Producer, or equivalent senior role on at least one mobile game you helped build from concept/zero through launch. - That game must have achieved Top 50 chart performance (top grossing or top free in major markets such as US or global App Store/Google Play) or equivalent strong commercial success (millions of downloads with solid retention/revenue). - Strong track record in mobile game design (especially F2P or live-service models) and production leadership. - Experience providing art direction or closely overseeing visual development and quality. - Demonstrated ability to hire, lead, and grow cross-functional game development teams. - Clear portfolio or case studies showing your specific contributions and results on previous shipped titles. - Comfortable working in a startup environment where you help define processes and culture. Nice-to-Haves - Experience working with licensed IP, brand partnerships, or adapting existing internet/digital IPs into games. - Previous experience at successful mobile studios or on viral/breakout titles. - Based in the UAE (strong preference) or open to relocation to Dubai. Remote candidates will be considered but UAE-based applicants will be prioritized. - Interest in social, shareable, or community-driven game mechanics. Location & Working Style Dubai headquarters (UAE). We are open to remote collaboration but will prioritize candidates based in the UAE or willing to relocate. This is a startup studio role with high ownership and direct access to the founder. What We Offer - High creative and strategic ownership in a startup studio. - Competitive compensation (hourly or monthly retainer) based on experience and track record. - Potential for longer-term collaboration and equity discussion for the right candidate. - The opportunity to shape both the first game and the early culture/processes of Zabra Games. - Work with recognizable and fast-growing internet IP in a studio focused on fun, social experiences. How to Apply / What to Include in Your Proposal To be considered, please include the following in your proposal: - A short note explaining why you’re interested in this role and Zabra Games. - Confirmation that you have led or been a key creative/production contributor on a mobile game that reached Top 50 charts (or equivalent strong commercial performance) — please name the game(s) and your specific role. - Link to your portfolio, personal site, or detailed case study of the relevant game(s), highlighting ideation, production, art direction/oversight, team leadership, and results. - Your expected rate (hourly or monthly) and availability. - Whether you are currently based in the UAE or open to relocation to Dubai. We review proposals on a rolling basis and will move quickly with strong candidates. Only direct applications — no agencies.