Director, Product Development

Why PlayStation

PlayStation isnt just the Best Place to Play its also the Best Place to Work. Today were recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation5 PlayStation4 PlayStationVR PlayStationPlus acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation technology and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Join the award-winning team that created God of War

Santa Monica Studio is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Product Development to play a critical leadership role in the successful operation and delivery of our studios game development projects. This position blends high-level studio leadership with hands-on production and development management ensuring alignment between creative vision production execution and business objectives.

This role requires a strong leader who can balance business creative and operational priorities ensuring that the studio delivers high-quality games while maintaining a strong sustainable and inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities

Studio Leadership & Strategy

• Play a collaborative role with the rest of the leadership team to define and execute the studios vision strategy and operational goals
• Help develop the studio growth strategies including talent planning team expansion and external development partnerships
• Represent the studio both internally and externally fostering strong relationships with publishing platform and industry partners

Game Development & Production Leadership

• Own the production strategy for game development ensuring projects are delivered on time within scope and to the highest quality standards
• Establish and refine production methodologies ensuring efficiency scalability and risk mitigation across projects
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between design engineering art QA and publishing to ensure seamless execution
• Lead milestone reviews ensure alignment on goals and proactively address development roadblocks
• Champion an agile and iterative development approach while balancing creative aspirations with production realities

People & Team Leadership

• Build lead and mentor high-performing production teams fostering a culture of accountability creativity and growth
• Partner with HR to define and execute career development talent acquisition and retention strategies
• Promote a healthy inclusive work environment that emphasizes work-life balance psychological safety and long-term team sustainability

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a key liaison between development teams publishing finance and corporate leadership ensuring alignment and transparency
• Work closely with creative and technical leadership to balance artistic vision with production constraints and business objectives
• Manage relationships with external development partners outsourcing vendors and co-development teams to scale production efforts effectively

Qualifications & Experience

• 15 years of experience in game development leadership with a strong background in production project management or studio leadership
• Proven track record of leading AAA or high-profile game development projects from pre-production to launch
• Deep expertise in development methodologies scheduling risk management and live operations
• Strong understanding of game development disciplines including design engineering art and publishing
• Exceptional leadership communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and align teams
• Experience working with publishing and executive teams to drive alignment on business and development priorities
• Passion for gaming player-focused development and building world-class teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing remote and hybrid teams
• Familiarity with a variety of business models multi-platform development and global release strategies
• Background working in or with global organizations and managing international teams
• A track record of mentoring future leaders and fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace

What We Offer

• A pivotal leadership role in one of the industrys most exciting and successful studios
• Competitive compensation bonus structure and benefits
• A collaborative inclusive and growth-minded studio culture
• Opportunities to shape the future of award-winning IP and original titles

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Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity gender expression and gender reassignment) race (including colour nationality ethnic or national origin) religion or belief marital or civil partnership status disability age sexual orientation pregnancy maternity or parental status trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.