The Role: Design Manager

Location: Cardiff Office

Salary: £40,000 – £45,000, dependant on experience

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week – 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract

About The Role

As a Design Manager, you will work within the Design department alongside other Design Managers in a collaborative environment. You’ll lead a design team, guiding projects from concept to production and overseeing everything from bespoke props to full-scale themed environments. This role provides the opportunity to collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and production experts.

About The Company

At Wild Creations we Design, Manufacture and Install Props & Scenery for the Entertainment, Marketing & Theme Park Industries.

Our 39,000 sq.ft facilities in the heart of Cardiff is home to a number of specialised departments, including Design, Project Management, Sculpting, Prop & Model Making, Moulding & Casting, Carpentry, Metalwork, Scenic Art, Finishing & Spray Shop and an Automation Shop that utilises 3D Printing, Vac Forming, Laser Cutting and CNC Routing – both on flatbeds and on our 7-axis Kuka robot arm.

We foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Our team is passionate about delivering exceptional work. We value diversity, creativity, and continuous learning and we strive to create a workplace where every team member can thrive and contribute to our collective success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage one of several design teams within the design department, by scheduling work, streamlining workflows, facilitating clear communication and ensuring the delivery of high-quality outputs such as construction drawings, technical models, CNC file preparation, and concept development.
• Monitor and resource planning to maintain support for the design team.
• Assign and prioritise tasks within your design team to meet project deadlines.
• Oversee design deliverables to ensure all outputs meet client expectations, adhere to budget constraints, and align with technical feasibility.
• Act as a bridge between the design team and other departments, including project management, fabrication, and clients, to ensure seamless collaboration and information flow.
• Conduct regular team meetings and one-to-one check-ins to track progress, address challenges, and maintain alignment on project goals.
• Ensure design quality standards are upheld across all deliverables by conducting regular reviews and providing constructive feedback to the Design team.
• Ensure that all design projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, promoting open communication, knowledge sharing, and mutual respect across all levels of the design team.