Halo Studios is building the future of the blockbuster Halo series of video games with Unreal Engine. As part of Xbox Game Studios, the Halo franchise encompasses games, novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel, and more with a shared vision of heroism, mystery, and wonder. With multiple projects in development, join our team as we forge the next generation of games and experiences in our award-winning sci-fi universe.

We are looking for a talented Creative Director to help articulate and bring to life the creative vision for one of our in-development titles. Reporting to our Head of Studio, this role will ground our internal and external teams with clear, compelling goals for our gameplay experience. This includes initial product vision, overall tone and feel, story and world creation, product differentiators, and high-level gameplay experiences. In close partnership with our art, design, and franchise leaders, you will be responsible for developing and communicating how we create and execute memorable worlds, characters, and stories at a high level of quality and fidelity across our game. You will also collaborate with the internal cinematic and audio teams to create a center of excellence for storytelling. Roles at our studio are flexible, and you can work from home up to two days a week in this role.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Required Qualifications

Associates Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Game Design, or related field AND 8+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field
- OR Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Game Design, or related field AND 6+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field
- OR equivalent experience.
Have shipped at least 2 title released to consumers/shipped game.
5+ years people management experience.

Other Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings:

Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter

Preferred qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Game Design, or related field AND 14+ years’ experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field

OR equivalent experience.

Have shipped at least 3 titles released to consumers

7+ years people management experience.

Shipped multiple, high-quality games as a Creative Director, Design Director, Art Director, or equivalent creative leadership role.

Superb communication skills with a track record of aligning large teams around a shared product vision.

Experience working across large design, art, or other creative teams, ideally with deep knowledge of agile production methods.

Experience working with Unreal Engine tools.

Game Design M6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $286,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $314,400 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until April 23,2025

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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Responsibilities

Own the process of developing one of our titles from start to finish, working with art, design, and franchise leadership to develop the settings, characters, themes, and world that will bring to life the magic of the Halo universe.

Collaborate with the creative leads, executive producers, and co-dev partners to develop a shared vision around core player fantasies for the title and how we will deliver against them.

Identify areas of opportunity and industry innovation that focus on player needs.

Develop compelling visual materials for gameplay pillars, creative/brand philosophies, and core gameplay loops that are comprehensive, concise, and inspirational.

Collaborate with cinematic and audio directors with an eye towards creating memorable worlds, characters, and stories.

Establish and maintain a regular review cadence with Art, Design, and Franchise leads to align on creative direction and goals.

Be a consistent source of clarity, positive energy, and inspiration for the studio development teams.