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Lead Narrative Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Narrative Designer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$55K - $78K/yr

Communicate the narrative vision of the game's Lead Designers verbally and in writing, across internal departments and with external brand partners * Help shape high-level overarching stories for ...

Communicate the narrative vision of the game's Lead Designers verbally and in writing, across internal departments and with external brand partners * Help shape high-level overarching stories for ...

Narrative Designer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$55K - $78K/yr

Communicate the narrative vision of the game's Lead Designers verbally and in writing, across internal departments and with external brand partners * Help shape high-level overarching stories for ...

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site +1

$150K - $175K/yr

Summary As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world ... Work closely with the narrative team to develop ideas for new content. * Develop and execute the ...

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Summary As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world ... Work closely with the narrative team to develop ideas for new content. * Develop and execute the ...

We are looking for a Lead Visual Designer who loves pushing their thinking and taking it through to ... Craft the Narrative: Create compelling presentation decks and prototypes, communicating the ...

We are looking for a Lead Visual Designer who loves pushing their thinking and taking it through to ... Craft the Narrative: Create compelling presentation decks and prototypes, communicating the ...

We are looking for a Lead Visual Designer who loves pushing their thinking and taking it through to ... Craft the Narrative: Create compelling presentation decks and prototypes, communicating the ...

Lead Brand Designer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

... lead our brand design at Hark. Working with or multi-disciplinary group of designers to craft the ... You will help define the narrative of hark, while also ensuring that the execution of every detail ...

Lead Brand Designer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

... lead our brand design at Hark. Working with or multi-disciplinary group of designers to craft the ... You will help define the narrative of hark, while also ensuring that the execution of every detail ...

Senior Technical Designer

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$114K - $122K/yr

Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects ... Working with minimal supervision while keeping lead designers and directors well-informed. What ...

Senior Technical Designer

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$114K - $122K/yr

Prototyping, implementing, and owning gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, interactive objects ... Working with minimal supervision while keeping lead designers and directors well-informed. What ...

... more to craft a product narrative that guides users through our products and gets them the ... Mentor and guide junior designers and contribute to their career development plans * Lead workshops ...

Presentation Designer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site +1

$45 - $50/hr

Lead presentation development from initial concepting and narrative arc creation through final ... Experience designing for large-scale corporate events, major technology keynotes, or investor ...

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Lead Narrative Designer information

See salary details

$42K

$91.2K

$157K

How much do lead narrative designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead narrative designer in the United States is $91,161.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead narrative designer?

Lead Narrative Designers are responsible for overseeing the story and dialogue elements in video game development or interactive media projects. They guide the narrative vision, coordinate with writers and other departments, and ensure that the story integrates seamlessly with gameplay. Their role often includes developing characters, world-building, and making sure the narrative experience is engaging and cohesive. Lead Narrative Designers may also mentor junior writers and help shape the overall tone and emotional impact of the project.

How does a lead narrative designer collaborate with other departments during game development?

A Lead Narrative Designer works closely with teams such as art, design, audio, and programming to ensure the story is seamlessly integrated into all aspects of the game. They often participate in cross-functional meetings, provide narrative feedback on level design, and help create dialogue or cutscenes that align with gameplay mechanics. Effective collaboration requires clear communication and adaptability, as narrative elements may need to evolve based on technical constraints or gameplay changes. This role is central to maintaining the tone and consistency of the game's world, making teamwork a key part of the daily workflow.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead narrative designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Narrative Designer, you need expertise in storytelling, interactive narrative development, and a background in creative writing or game design, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard game engines (like Unity or Unreal), scripting languages, and narrative design tools such as Twine is typically required. Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help manage narrative teams and align story vision with gameplay. These skills ensure compelling, cohesive narratives that elevate the overall player experience and integrate seamlessly with game mechanics.

What is the difference between Lead Narrative Designer vs Narrative Designer?

AspectLead Narrative DesignerNarrative Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees story development, guides team, ensures narrative consistencyCreates story content, writes scripts, develops characters
ExperienceTypically 5+ years, leadership skills required2-4 years, strong writing skills needed
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with design, art, and production teamsFocuses on writing and story creation within development teams
CredentialsDegree in Creative Writing, Game Design, or related field; portfolioSimilar educational background; writing samples

The Lead Narrative Designer typically manages the story development process, guiding a team and ensuring narrative cohesion across the project. In contrast, the Narrative Designer focuses on creating and writing story content. Both roles require strong storytelling skills and relevant experience, but the Lead Narrative Designer has additional leadership responsibilities and oversight of the entire narrative process.

How much do lead narrative designers make?

Lead narrative designers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have strong storytelling skills, experience with game engines, and may oversee a team of writers and designers.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lead Narrative Designer jobs? The most popular types of Lead Narrative Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Lead Narrative Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, 13% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,161 per year, or $43.8 per hour.

Senior Narrative Designer - Unannounced Title

Scopely

Culver City, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$111K - $119K/yr

Other

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Scopely is looking for a Senior Narrative Designer to join our Slate Development Group in the US on a hybrid or remote basis! (Hybrid in Culver City)

At Scopely, we care deeply about what we do and want to inspire play, every day - whether in our work environments alongside our talented colleagues, or through our deep connections with our communities of players. We are a global team of game lovers who are developing, publishing and innovating the mobile games industry, connecting millions of people around the world daily.

We are in the early stages of development on an ambitious, unannounced AAA mobile game, and we're assembling a team of passionate game makers to craft unforgettable environments and immersive adventures that players will love.

What You Will Do

The Senior Narrative Designer will be responsible for creating compelling content within a beloved fantasy setting, developing stories, quests, characters, and dialogue authentic to the established IP. Working closely with the Narrative Lead, Narrative Director, and cross-disciplinary teams, they will help shape content from concept through production, ensuring story and gameplay work seamlessly together.

This role requires a creative, collaborative, and experienced narrative designer who can develop compelling RPG content within established creative constraints, contribute fresh ideas while respecting existing canon, and thrive in iterative development. The ideal candidate is passionate about storytelling, receptive to feedback, and excited by the challenge of creating experiences that resonate with players.

The Senior Narrative Designer will contribute to:

  • Story arcs, quests, branching narrative structures
  • Character creation, dialogue, voice
  • Worldbuilding
  • Cutscene scripts
  • Naming, flavor text, supporting narrative materials
  • Additional narrative content, within and outside the game

Narrative Content Development

  • Develop and pitch concepts, storylines, quests, characters, and narrative arcs that create compelling player experiences within an established fantasy IP.
  • Create and maintain documentation, including story outlines, character summaries, scripts, dialogue, and supporting materials.
  • Collaborate with the Narrative Lead and Narrative Director to ensure content aligns with project goals, creative direction, and player experience objectives.

Narrative Ownership

  • Own designated content from concept through production, driving development, iteration, and refinement throughout the content lifecycle.
  • Create content that is authentic to an established fantasy setting while introducing fresh ideas, memorable characters, and engaging player-facing stories.
  • Partner with production and other disciplines to help ensure timely delivery that supports broader project goals.

Collaboration & Iteration

  • Collaborate closely with game designers, artists, producers, and other disciplines to integrate narrative seamlessly into gameplay systems and player experiences.
  • Work constructively with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to develop, refine, and deliver narrative content.
  • Participate in narrative reviews, workshops, and feedback discussions, incorporating feedback thoughtfully and effectively while maintaining the creative intent.

Narrative Craft

  • Design and develop branching dialogue, quest structures, and narrative experiences that support player agency and engagement.
  • Contribute to development of characters, relationships, and story moments that resonate with players.
  • Help maintain narrative consistency, quality, and authenticity across assigned content areas.
  • Support growth of junior team members and new hires, through constructive feedback and mentorship.

What We're Looking For

  • Experience developing narrative content for RPGs, including stories, quests, characters, dialogue, and branching narrative experiences.
  • Strong understanding of narrative design, storytelling, and game design principles.
  • Demonstrated ability to pitch, develop, and iterate narrative content from concept through production.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines and incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders.
  • Experience creating original content within established settings, franchises, or IPs while maintaining authenticity and consistency.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Detail-oriented, creative, and enthusiastic, with strong craft discipline and a passion for narrative design.
  • Desire to create an incredibly cool game that millions of people will love.
  • ย 

Nice to Have

  • Experience with live-service, multiplayer, or mobile games.
  • Experience collaborating across multiple teams, studios, or external partners.
  • Familiarity with major fantasy IPs.
  • Mandarin language proficiency.