Development Director

Role Overview

Crytek is looking for an experienced Development Director to lead delivery on a game development project in the Frankfurt office. Reporting to the COO, the role involves owning end-to-end project delivery and the operational model of the project. Responsibilities include ensuring the team is structured, staffed, and run effectively to deliver on time, within budget, and at the required quality level. The role requires balancing the production plan against creative ambition, technical constraints, and business priorities, working with the leadership team, and defining how the team operates through decision-making and ways of working to drive clarity, accountability, and consistent execution at scale.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the project’s operational model, including team structures, roles, processes, and pipelines, to ensure alignment with studio goals and optimal performance.
• Build, lead, and scale a high-performing development team, ensuring clear ownership, proper staffing, and empowerment across all areas of responsibility.
• Manage end-to-end delivery performance by proactively identifying risks and obstacles, driving mitigation, and ensuring on-time, on-budget, high-quality outcomes.
• Handle project planning and execution, including roadmap, PBS/WBS, scheduling, and milestone alignment, with a strong focus on player value and business objectives.
• Manage stakeholders, including budgeting, team allocation, external partner integration, and alignment on quality expectations (e.g., UX, performance, live ops).
• Conduct retrospectives to continuously improve team effectiveness, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and foster a culture of accountability and performance.

Requirements

• 10+ years leading large-scale game development with full delivery accountability (time, budget, quality), including shipping at least one impactful title from inception to release.
• Deep expertise in building and operating effective development models (team structures, resource & budget planning, governance, execution), beyond applying standard frameworks (Agile, SAFe, etc.).
• Strong leadership capability with a clear history of building, aligning, and holding teams accountable, while improving performance through structures, processes, and ways of working.
• Excellent stakeholder and leadership management skills, with the ability to create alignment and facilitate decisions at senior and executive levels.
• Proven ability to integrate and manage external partners, operate effectively within a Core Leadership Team, and deliver outcomes with strong ownership and execution focus.
• Willingness to relocate to Frankfurt, Germany.

Location and Logistics

• Location: Frankfurt, Germany
• Employment Type: Permanent Full-time
• Work Model: Hybrid (three days per week in the office, up to two days remote)

Benefits and Perks

• Career Path: Professional development plans to help progress towards goals and objectives.
• Relocation Support: Relocation budget and full coverage of flights to Frankfurt for employee and family. Assistance with visa, work permits, communication with authorities, and settling into Germany (banking, schools, landlords, etc.).
• Company Apartment: Fully furnished company apartment provided for the first three months.
• Public Transport Pass: Free access to bus, tram, and metro in Frankfurt.
• Gym Card: Membership at Fitness First premium gym chain.
• Office Environment: Modern office in central Frankfurt with open areas, quiet zones, and top-tier facilities.
• German Classes: Language courses offered for employee and family.
• Events: Company events including new starter breakfasts, summer/winter parties, and annual trips to Gamescom.
• Vacation: 24 days of vacation per year, increasing every 2 years (up to 28 days), plus approximately 10 public holidays.
• Culture: Equal opportunity and inclusion focus, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds and identities from over 42 countries.