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Game Design Director Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Ensures game integrity and guest satisfaction while implementing and complying with departmental ... Supervises and develops direct reports by mentoring, coaching, and providing performance feedback ...

New

Director, DevOps

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$52.25 - $71.75/hr

Lead from the front: design and contribute directly to pipelines, release automation, deployment ... Champion chaos engineering, game days, and disaster recovery testing in coordination with Cloud ...

Director, DevOps

Mesa, AZ · Hybrid

$52.25 - $71.75/hr

Lead from the front: design and contribute directly to pipelines, release automation, deployment ... Champion chaos engineering, game days, and disaster recovery testing in coordination with Cloud ...

Director of Racquets Job Overview: La Paloma Country Club, a premier, upscale country club in ... Design and implement tailored lesson plans to meet the individual needs and goals of each player.

Director of Racquets Job Overview: La Paloma Country Club, a premier, upscale country club in ... Design and implement tailored lesson plans to meet the individual needs and goals of each player.

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Game Design Director information

See Arizona salary details

$34.5K

$126.5K

$226.4K

How much do game design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for game design director in Arizona is $126,516.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,000.00 and $151,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Design Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Design Director, you need deep expertise in game mechanics, storytelling, project management, and a strong portfolio of shipped titles, often supported by a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard engines like Unity or Unreal, as well as proficiency in prototyping tools and knowledge of development pipelines, is essential. Exceptional leadership, creative vision, and communication skills help guide teams and inspire innovative gameplay experiences. These abilities ensure that complex projects are delivered on time and meet both creative and commercial goals.

What does a Game Design Director do?

A Game Design Director is responsible for overseeing the creative vision and design strategy of a video game project. They lead the design team, ensure cohesion between gameplay, narrative, and visual elements, and make high-level decisions about game mechanics and player experience. The Game Design Director collaborates closely with producers, artists, and engineers to ensure the final product meets both creative and commercial goals. Their role is pivotal in shaping the direction of the game from concept to release.

How does a Game Design Director typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

A Game Design Director works closely with departments such as art, programming, audio, and production to ensure the game vision is clearly communicated and executed. They often facilitate alignment meetings, provide feedback on design elements, and resolve cross-functional challenges to maintain consistency in gameplay and storytelling. Effective collaboration is key, as the director must balance creative ideas with technical constraints and business goals. This role also involves mentoring designers and representing the design team in high-level discussions with studio leadership.

What is the difference between Game Design Director vs Game Producer?

AspectGame Design DirectorGame Producer
Primary FocusOversees game design vision, mechanics, and creative directionManages project timelines, budgets, and overall production process
Required SkillsGame design, creative leadership, storytellingProject management, communication, resource allocation
Work EnvironmentCreative teams, design departmentsProduction teams, cross-department coordination
Industry UsageUsed in game development studios to define design visionUsed to ensure project delivery and operational success

The Game Design Director focuses on the creative and design aspects of a game, shaping its vision and mechanics. In contrast, the Game Producer manages the project's logistics, schedules, and resources to ensure timely delivery. Both roles are essential but serve different functions within game development teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Game Design jobs in Arizona are:
Infographic showing various Game Design Director job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,516 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Associate Director of Development, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

Asuep

Tempe, AZ

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Associate Director of Development, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

The ASU Foundation (ASUF) fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU's mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact.

Built on a dynamic combination of disciplines unlike any other design and arts school in the nation, the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts connects, fuses and merges fields.The Herberger Institute comprises ASU Art Museum, ASU FIDM, The ASU FIDM Museum, The Design School, The GAME School, The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, The School of Art and The School of Music, Dance and Theatre.

The principal activity of the Associate Director of Development is to be externally focused, with responsibility for engaging a portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations that have a potential affinity with ASU and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (internally referred to as HIDA). The Associate Director's effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and contact metrics consistent with the programs and prospects assigned.

** In addition to your resume, we ask that you include a cover letter with your application.**

What you'll do:

  • Develops and executes strategic fundraising and engagement efforts on behalf of Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, The Sidney Poitier New American Film School and the Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center by designing, implementing, evaluating, and refining development activities to drive donor retention, reactivation, acquisition, and pipeline growth

  • In support of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, actively engages donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to proactively build and manage a personal major gift/prospect portfolio with a focus on securing gifts at or above the $50,000 level in accordance with performance metrics

  • Collaborates with development team, unit leaders and academic leaders to assist and direct the implementation and coordination of special fundraising and engagement opportunities by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting annual, major, and planned gifts in cooperation with the objectives and strategies of ASUF and the University Development Office

  • Guided by the direction and scope of a prospect's interest, collaborates with various faculty, institute/center directors, and unit-based and foundation-based fundraisers to leverage the maximum philanthropic potential of a prospect

  • Develops and submits written proposals, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed for securing significant philanthropic investments

  • In support of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, collaborates with and coordinates the efforts of various ASU offices and functions to advance prospect and donor strategies (i.e., alumni engagement, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development, donor relations, estate and gift planning, financial services, research and prospect management)

  • Proactively manages a personal major gift/prospect portfolio, develops and executes strategic prospect strategies leading to solicitation and investment based on the opportunities of each special assignment

  • Staffs HIDA Leadership at ASUF and ASU events, concerts, and programs and engages with donors and prospects

  • Uses the ASUF prospect management and tracking system (i.e., Salesforce) to record and coordinate contacts, strategies and proposals

  • Assumes responsibility for core fundraising success metrics including face-to-face visits with prospects, identification and qualification of new prospects, growth in cumulative giving from the prospect portfolio, major gift proposals submitted, dollars raised

  • Ensures proper stewardship and recognition of donors in portfolio

  • Participates collaboratively as a member of the ASUF development team and serve as a resource to development colleagues regarding fundraising opportunities

  • Develops and sustains strong working relationships with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty members of HIDA

  • Identifies projects and initiatives and develops and implements strategic fundraising efforts and campaignsin close collaboration with HIDA Leadership, Faculty, and stakeholders

  • Serve as mentor, teacher and role-model to HIDA team members, student employees and junior team members, even in the absence of a direct-reporting relationship

What you'll need:

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles

  • Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives

  • Database management skills

  • Ability to lead a team and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments

  • Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others

  • Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment

  • Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community

  • Knowledge offundraising techniques including proposal development, prospect identification, program planning, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools

  • Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups

  • Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information

  • Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds

  • Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate's belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems

Relevant qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field, or currently enrolled inbachelor's degree program

  • Four (4) to six (6) years of years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience

  • Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources

  • Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives

Preferred education and experience:

  • Advanced degree

  • Four (4) to six (6) years of years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience preferably in higher education or the Arts

  • Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic investments and strategic partnerships within one or more of the following industries: film, television, streaming, and digital media, entertainment and media technology, mixed reality (XR), immersive media and experiential design

  • Experience working in Salesforce and Workday

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance

  • 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution

  • 22 days of vacation time

  • 11 holidays, including your birthday

  • Parental leave

  • Significant tuition reductions

  • Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest

  • $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundationfosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU's mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good.

At the ASU Foundation we value

Character
We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.

Service
We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.

Innovation
Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.

The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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