Director, Game Design - Game Modes; Apex Legends

Electronic Arts creates next‑level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. 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.

Founded in 2010, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they’ll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. Respawn Entertainment is the Academy Award‑winning studio behind Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Star Wars™ Jedi titles. Join us to help shape the future of one of the world’s leading live service franchises.

Apex Legends is looking for a Director of Game Design (Game Modes) to lead the vision, strategy, and execution of innovative gameplay experiences that will shape the future of Apex for years to come. In this role, you will partner closely with leaders across Design, Production, Engineering, Art, UX, QA, Analytics, and Product Management to define and deliver game modes that deepen player engagement, expand the Apex experience, and support the long‑term goals of a live service franchise.

As a Design Director, you will be responsible for establishing the strategic direction of the Modes team, growing and mentoring a team of designers and design leaders, and ensuring the highest standards of quality from concept through launch and live operations. You will champion Respawn’s culture of creative ownership, candid feedback, and player‑first thinking while helping evolve the design practices that enable the team to operate at its best.

This is an opportunity to have a lasting impact on one of the world’s leading live service shooters while working alongside some of the most talented developers in the industry.

• Define and drive the long‑term vision, strategy, and roadmap for game modes across Apex Legends.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team of designers and design leaders, providing mentorship, career growth, performance management, and organizational guidance.
• Partner with leadership across all disciplines to identify opportunities for innovation, investment, and growth within the Apex gameplay ecosystem.
• Establish goals, priorities, and execution plans for the Modes team, ensuring alignment with franchise objectives and seasonal content strategies.
• Guide game mode development from early ideation and prototyping through production, launch, and post‑launch support.
• Review, evaluate, and provide direction on game mode concepts, features, and gameplay systems to ensure they meet quality, engagement, and business objectives.
• Champion player‑focused design decisions informed by qualitative feedback, gameplay expertise, and live service performance data.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Technical Design leadership to evolve tools, workflows, and technical capabilities that improve team efficiency and scalability.
• Drive design excellence by establishing and advocating for best practices in design process, documentation, play testing, feature scoping, and production planning.
• Lead cross‑functional design reviews and facilitate alignment on complex design and development challenges.
• Partner with Production to identify risks, manage scope, and make informed trade‑off decisions throughout development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across the Design organization.
• Play the game regularly, maintain deep knowledge of the Apex player experience, and proactively provide feedback on all aspects of the product.
• Help shape the future of Apex Legends by contributing to franchise‑level planning, strategic initiatives, and long‑term product vision.

• 10+ years of professional game design experience, including significant experience developing multiplayer games.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing designers, design leads, or multidisciplinary design teams.
• Experience leading game mode development or major gameplay initiatives for a live service title.
• Deep expertise in multiplayer FPS design, player motivation, progression systems, and competitive gameplay.
• Prove…