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, 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 an ambitious team where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your development truly matters.

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.

Responsibilities:

·         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

Benefits & Perks

💰 Competitive salary

💼 5% Employer Match Pension Scheme

💸 Annual performance bonus + Company performance bonus

🍽️ Weekly free team lunches – good food, great company!

🎉 Regular social events – we love bringing our teams together!

🏠 Hybrid & flexible working options

🕓 Flextime – because life doesn’t always fit 9–5

✈️ Opportunities to travel to amazing industry events like GDC, Gamescom, TwitchCon (EU & US), EGX & Develop:Brighton

📦 Relocation package to help you settle in

🏅 Employee of the Month vouchers

🧘 ♀️ Personal wellbeing allowance

🤝 Referral scheme

🎓 Training & Development Budget – invest in your growth with courses, conferences & learning resources

🚀 Training & career development support

💚 Vitality Health Insurance – includes Vision, Dental & Travel cover

🛡️ Aviva Life Insurance

🎂 30 days holiday, including your birthday and a dedicated wellbeing day

🎄 Christmas studio shutdown – enjoy the holidays, on us!