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Trading Card Game Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Finance

New York, NY · On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

... for Trading Card Game players and collectors around the world. We're driven by a shared love for ... Partner with external tax advisors to design and maintain the right entity structure, basic tax ...

New

Fulfillment Associate

Miami, FL · On-site

$14 - $15/hr

Basic knowledge of trading card games and collectibles (Magic, Pokémon, etc.) is preferred but not required * Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment * Comfortable using versatile ...

Basic knowledge of tabletop games and trading card games * Quick-learner and willingness to learn new processes * Good Communication Skills * Basic Computer/Software - Various computer and tablet ...

Fulfillment Associate

Miami, FL

$15.25 - $18.25/hr

Basic knowledge of trading card games and collectibles (Magic, Pokémon, etc.) is preferred but not required * Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment * Comfortable using versatile ...

Game Designer

Lehi, UT

$145.50K/yr

You will be responsible for creating Game Design Documents that empower Engineers, Artists, and QA ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

Identify and orchestrate trading card-specific moments, campaigns, and formats that drive ... Partner with Category Marketing to design culturally authentic activations * Experiment with new ...

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145.50K/yr

You will be responsible for creating Game Design Documents that empower Engineers, Artists, and QA ... MobilityWare is one of the leading mobile game publishers of card and puzzle games. With our ...

CNC Machinist

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$20 - $27.25/hr

... of trading card games and collectibles. Based in North Carolina's vibrant Research Triangle Park ... Design tooling fixtures and part models in CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar)

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78.90K - $116.76K/yr

Who We Think Will be an Excellent Fit: * 5+ years of game design experience, with a focus on free-to-play mobile games. Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games ...

Game Designer

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$78.90K - $116.76K/yr

Who We Think Will be an Excellent Fit: * 5+ years of game design experience, with a focus on free-to-play mobile games. Experience designing card-collecting, card-battling, and/or deck-building games ...

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Trading Card Game Design information

See salary details

$79.5K

$130.8K

$196K

How much do trading card game design jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for trading card game design in the United States is $130,762.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Trading Card Game Designer, and why are they important?

A Trading Card Game Designer needs strong game design principles, mathematical and probability skills, and a creative understanding of gameplay balance, often supported by a background in game design or related fields. Familiarity with digital prototyping tools, playtesting platforms, and knowledge of industry-standard design software is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, collaboration, and iterative problem-solving abilities set top designers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for creating engaging, balanced, and commercially successful card games that appeal to diverse player communities.

What are some common challenges faced by trading card game designers during the playtesting phase?

Trading card game designers often encounter challenges in balancing the gameplay and ensuring that no single card or strategy dominates the game. Playtesting requires designers to collect and analyze feedback from a diverse group of players, which can reveal unforeseen interactions or exploits. Additionally, designers must iterate quickly and thoughtfully, adjusting card mechanics and rules while maintaining the overall vision of the game. Collaboration with artists, developers, and marketing teams is also crucial to align the game's mechanics with its thematic and commercial goals.

What is trading card game design?

Trading card game design is the process of creating the rules, mechanics, cards, and overall structure of a collectible or trading card game (TCG). Designers develop the gameplay experience, balancing strategy, randomness, and player interaction. They also work on themes, artwork, and expansions to keep the game engaging and fresh. Successful trading card game design requires creativity, playtesting, and a deep understanding of what makes games fun and replayable.

What is the difference between Trading Card Game Design vs Board Game Design?

AspectTrading Card Game DesignBoard Game Design
CredentialsDesign experience, knowledge of card mechanics, game theoryGame mechanics, prototyping, user experience
Work EnvironmentDigital and physical card development, collaboration with artists and publishersPhysical prototypes, playtesting, manufacturing coordination
Industry UsageCollectible card games, gaming publishers, hobby storesTabletop gaming, toy companies, hobby markets

Trading Card Game Design and Board Game Design share overlapping skills like game mechanics and prototyping, but differ mainly in their focus on card-based versus physical board experiences. While both roles involve creativity and playtesting, TCG designers often work more with digital assets and collectible elements, whereas board game designers focus on physical components and player interaction. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path within the gaming industry.

More about Trading Card Game Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Trading Card Game Design jobs? Cities with the most Trading Card Game Design job openings:
What states have the most Trading Card Game Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Trading Card Game Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Trading Card Game Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Trading Card Game Design jobs are:
Infographic showing various Trading Card Game Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,762 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Director of Finance

Gamer's Choice

New York, NY • On-site

$175K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Gamer's Choice is a team of passionate gamers, creators, and innovators based in Queens, New York. What began as a small local shop has grown into one of the leading destinations for Trading Card Game players and collectors around the world. We're driven by a shared love for gaming and community, offering both an engaging online experience and a vibrant in-store atmosphere. Our mission is to be the ultimate home for fans to connect, compete, and celebrate the games they love. While Yu-Gi-Oh! has always been our foundation, we're expanding into exciting new titles like Pokémon, One Piece, Riftbound, and Disney Lorcana. Our Long Island City store serves as the heart of our community, hosting tournaments, events, and gatherings that bring players together both in person and online.
Director of Finance
Employment Type:
About Gamer's Choice
Gamer's Choice is a team of passionate gamers, creators, and innovators based in Queens, New York. What began as a small local shop has grown into one of the leading destinations for Trading Card Game players and collectors around the world. We're driven by a shared love for gaming and community, offering both an engaging online experience and a vibrant in-store atmosphere. Our mission is to be the ultimate home for fans to connect, compete, and celebrate the games they love. While Yu-Gi-Oh! has always been our foundation, we're expanding into exciting new titles like Pokémon, One Piece, Riftbound League of Legends, and Disney Lorcana. Our Long Island City store serves as the heart of our community, hosting tournaments, events, and gatherings that bring players together both in person and online.
Location: Long Island City, Queens, New York
Work Environment: On-site, founder-led, fast-growing multi-channel retail and ecommerce business. Hands-on and cross-functional, with regular time spent alongside Sales, Buying, and Operations.
Schedule: Core Hours Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM (Because critical financial work and cross-functional decisions cluster around close, planning cycles, and major sales events, your actual hours will flex based on business needs.
Reports to: CEO
Base Salary: $175,000 - $250,000 per annum
This role is compensated with a fixed base salary. Compensation within the band is determined by demonstrated experience, scope of responsibility, and ability to operate with full ownership in a high-intensity environment. Performance bonus eligibility may be evaluated after six months in the role, based on demonstrated performance and business needs. Equity is not a part of our current compensation structure.
Role Overview
The Director of Finance owns the company-wide financial picture, the model, the cash, the margins, and the capital plan, and turns it into clear decisions leadership can act on. Reporting directly to the CEO, this person builds the finance function from a founder-plus-bookkeeper setup into a reliable system the business runs on, while partnering closely with Sales, Buying, and Operations to deploy cash where it earns the highest return.
Time and intensity expectations
This is a high-ownership role in a fast-moving, founder-led business. Critical financial work clusters around month-end close, planning cycles, inventory buys, and major sales events, and the intensity rises with them. You'll have flexibility in how you structure your week, but you're expected to be present and fully engaged when key financial decisions are being made. This is a hands-on builder's role, not a delegate-and-review seat.
Who is this role for
  • Builder mindset, not maintainer: Has a track record of walking into messy or low-infrastructure environments and actually building the finance model, reporting, and rhythms from scratch, not just "owning" something that already worked.
  • Operator, not ivory-tower CFO: Comfortable spending time with Sales, Buying, and Ops, and translating what they see on the floor and in live shows into numbers and back into clear recommendations. Think "business operator who speaks finance".
  • Pattern recognition for e-commerce/inventory businesses: Can quickly see the story in SKU mix, fees, discounts, and working capital, and spot where margin and cash are leaking without a perfect dataset.
  • Calm in chaos with high standards: Stays steady when the numbers are messy, but refuses to let them stay that way. Raises the bar on accuracy and discipline without creating bureaucracy that slows the business down.
  • Clear, direct communicator with the CEO: Comfortable pushing back on bad ideas, presenting trade-offs in plain English, and acting as a true thought partner on "Can we afford this?" and "What happens if we do X?"

What you will actually do
  • Own company-wide financial model, cash, and capital plan: Build and maintain the 3-statement model and 13-week cash forecast, and use it to guide hiring, inventory buys, marketing spend, and when/how we raise outside capital.
  • Own unit economics and margin improvement program: Define SKU and channel-level margins, pricing and discount guardrails, and CAC/payback rules, and run an ongoing margin program to improve overall profitability.
  • Own finance infrastructure, close, and reporting: Build the finance function from founder + bookkeeper into a simple, reliable system for month-end close and weekly/monthly reporting that leadership can run the business on.
  • Own financial partnership to Sales, Buying, and Ops: Work directly with Sales, Buying, and Operations to turn data into clear decisions on where to grow, where to cut, and how to deploy cash for the highest return.
  • Own high-level tax and corporate structure strategy: Partner with external tax advisors to design and maintain the right entity structure, basic tax planning, and compliance so the company can scale, raise capital, and eventually exit without avoidable tax or structural issues.

Within the first 90 days, the Director of Finance is expected to:
  • Cash and P&L baseline: Stand up a simple, working 13-week cash forecast and a first pass at channel-level P&L using whatever data exists today. It doesn't need to be perfect; it needs to be honest and updated on a consistent weekly cadence.
  • Reliable financial reporting: Establish a repeatable month-end close process, with books closed in a consistent timeframe and revenue, COGS, and major expense categories reconciled every month so leadership can rely on the numbers for decisions.
  • Unit economics visibility: Build SKU and channel-level gross profit estimates that cover the majority of revenue and keep them updated regularly. These become the standard for pricing, promo, and inventory decisions.
  • Margin improvement: Using those unit economics, lead a simple margin improvement program (pricing tweaks, mix changes, cost negotiations) that produces a clear, measurable lift in net margin versus the starting baseline you establish.
  • Fundable and bankable position: Clean up historical financials with an external CPA, assemble a basic data room (P&L, balance sheet, cash, key KPIs), and build relationships with relevant lenders (local banks, specialty finance, or revenue-based lenders) so the CEO has strong options for a credit line or growth capital when needed.

How you will be measured
  • Accuracy and reliability of the financial model, 13-week cash forecast, and leadership reporting.
  • Consistency and timeliness of the month-end close.
  • Coverage and accuracy of SKU- and channel-level unit economics across the majority of revenue.
  • Measurable improvement in net margin versus the baseline you establish.
  • Readiness for lender or buyer due diligence, clean historical financials, and a usable data room.
  • Quality of financial partnership: whether Sales, Buying, and Ops make better, faster decisions because of the numbers you provide.

Why this role may not be a fit
This role is not a fit if you want a mature finance org with established systems and a team under you on day one, or if you'd rather maintain clean books someone else built than build from messy data. It is not a fit if you need a perfect dataset before you make a call, or if you'd rather stay in the spreadsheet than spend time on the floor and at live shows with Sales, Buying, and Ops. If you're looking for a purely strategic CFO seat removed from execution, this isn't it. We're looking for a builder who owns the result.
Why this role matters
Finance is the nervous system of a fast-growing, inventory-heavy business. Every hiring decision, inventory buy, marketing dollar, and capital raise depends on knowing the real numbers and what they mean. The person in this role turns messy data into honest answers to "Can we afford this?" and "What happens if we do X?" This is the seat that protects the company's ability to grow, raise, and win, and it reports directly to the CEO because the decisions it informs are that important. you
Qualifications
Required
  • Built finance from the ground up in a similar business: Has previously built or rebuilt the finance function (models, close, reporting) for a founder-led ecommerce, retail, or inventory-heavy company in roughly the $10-100M revenue range, not just maintained an existing system.
  • Hands-on inventory / ecommerce finance experience: Direct experience with inventory accounting, SKU and channel-level P&Ls, and the realities of marketplaces, live commerce, and retail (fees, shipping, discounts, returns, etc.).
  • Strong modeling and cash management: Proven ability to own a 3-statement model and 13-week cash forecast, and to use them to guide hiring, inventory buys, and capital needs.
  • High ownership in messy environments: Track record of thriving in low-structure, high-growth, founder-led environments, with a clear "the result is my responsibility" mindset and willingness to make decisions with imperfect data.
  • Integrity and clear communication: Reputation for clean, accurate numbers, sound judgment, and the ability to explain financial trade-offs in plain English to non-finance leaders and frontline operators.

Preferred / Nice to Have
  • Experience supporting M&A or exits for an e-commerce or retail business (buyer due diligence, quality-of-earnings work, data room, closing).
  • Experience raising or supporting debt or growth capital (bank lines, asset-backed facilities, or revenue-based lending) for an e-commerce/retail company.
  • Prior work in trading cards, collectibles, hobby, or specialty retail, or a strong personal interest in the category.
  • Experience getting a company audit-ready and through lender or buyer due diligence, working with external CPAs and advisors.
  • Familiarity with multi-channel DTC (marketplaces, webstore, retail) and comfort working in lightweight finance stacks (QuickBooks/Xero, spreadsheets, basic BI) before upgrading systems.

Final Note
This is a builder's role with real stakes and a direct line to the CEO. If you've built finance from the ground up before, you think like an operator who speaks finance, and you want to own the numbers that decide how a fast-growing business grows, raises, and wins, we want to hear from you.
Benefits:
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental & Vision Coverage
  • Paid time off
  • 401k
  • Employee Discounts
  • Gym Membership Reimbursements

EEO/AAP Statement: Gamer's Choice is an equal opportunity employer. We acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We pledge ourselves to crafting and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences. Gamer's Choice is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
The above-noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to give the applicant a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of this position. As the nature of business demands change, so, too, may the essential functions of the position.