Development Director in Southampton, England at Kinetic Games

About Kinetic Games

We’re an independent games studio best known for creating Phasmophobia, enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. Our team is passionate, creative, and collaborative and we’re looking for someone equally enthusiastic about games to join our growing team.

We’re a small but fast growing, friendly team that values creativity, openness, and personal growth. Whether you’re helping various departments or talking about your favourite horror game, you’ll be part of a supportive environment where passion and curiosity are celebrated. You’ll be joining a small but ambitious team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your development truly matters.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to how we work together every day. We aim to build a team with diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We believe great games start with an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute, grow, and succeed. Applications from all qualified candidates are encouraged. Equal opportunities are provided throughout our recruitment and employment practices.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We'll work with you to understand your needs and provide appropriate support wherever reasonably practicable.

About the role:

We are looking for an experienced Development Director to lead the day-to-day development execution of Phasmophobia to reach our 1.0 release.

This role is part of the Phasmophobia core leadership team, responsible for cross-discipline alignment, decision-making, and maintaining quality and focus. You will operate within an established creative vision and design direction set by the Game Director, partnering closely with our Lead Producer on execution.

This role is hybrid, based in the Southampton area. At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead day-to-day creative and development execution across design, engineering, art, audio, and QA

• Make confident decisions on gameplay, systems, features, and player experience

• Run design reviews, feature discussions, and playtests

• Maintain creative cohesion and clarity across the project

• Partner with the Lead Producer to balance quality, scope, and delivery

• Drive the project's operational model and team structure

• Ensure transparent communication across the leadership team

• Support and align external partners to meet deadlines (e.g. platform ports, QA and localisation)

Requirements:

• A strong track record as a Development Director or Executive Producer bringing at least one AA/AAA PC/Console game from concept to full release.

• Proven ability to lead and motivate cross-discipline teams

• Strong understanding of gameplay, systems, and player experience

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• Comfortable executing an established vision rather than redefining it

• Experience working with external or co-development teams

Nice to Have:

• Strong knowledge of Phasmophobia

• Experience on live or multi-platform projects

• Background in gameplay or systems design

We aim to keep our recruitment process straightforward and engaging, we will confirm in application shortlisting stage.

Benefits & Perks

💰Comprehensive Reward Package

💼 Enhanced Employer Match Pension Scheme

💸 Annual Bonus

🍽️ Weekly Free Team Lunches

🎉 Regular Social Events

🏠 Hybrid & Flextime Working

⚽ Access to Southampton Football Club Tickets - subject to availability and sponsor allocation

📦 Relocation Package (within the UK only)

🚗Electric Vehicle Car Scheme

🏅 Employee of the Month Vouchers

🧘 ♀️ Personal Wellbeing Allowance

🤝 Recruitment Referral Scheme

🎓 Training & Development Budget

🚀 Training & Career Development

💚 Vitality Health Insurance

🛡️ Aviva Life Insurance

🎂 30 days Holiday in Total

🎄 Christmas Studio Shutdown