Design Manager

Design Manager

Job title: Design Manager
Salary £42,500-£54,640 3A-BA
Location: LTM, London Transport Museum Offices based at Covent Garden. From January moving to Leicester Square, London.
Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time
Plus benefits (see more information below):

About London Transport Museum (LTM)

Based in Covent Garden, we are the world’s leading museum of urban transport and an award-winning day out. But that’s just part of our story. We are passionate. We are curious. We are adventurous.

As a heritage and education charity, we reach every primary school in the capital to fire the imaginations of tomorrow’s engineers, designers, scientists, and arts enthusiasts. With business partners and industry decision-makers,





we tackle the topics that matter to London, from smart cities to green innovation.

We want to close skills gaps, redress gender imbalances and create opportunities for under-represented and disadvantaged communities.

We want to ignite curiosity to shape the future.

At LTM we welcome children, young people and adults at risk as Museum visitors and through engagement projects. We take safeguarding our visitors seriously and ensure all our staff and volunteers are DBS checked, regularly trained, and feel confident following our thorough safeguarding procedures. At LTM, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Overview of project/role

The Design Manager will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution and delivery of design projects, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and align with the Museum's brand identity and objectives.

They will inspire and empower the design team to create compelling, innovative,





and impactful design solutions that contribute positively to the success and growth of the Museum.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in design, excellent management skills, and a passion for innovation. They will work closely with other departments such as marketing, learning, retail, and curatorial to ensure cohesive and effective design integration.

Key Accountabilities

- Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of design projects within defined timelines and budgets. Manage a team of freelance designers, providing direction, guidance, and support to ensure the successful execution of design projects. Allocate resources effectively to meet project demands, including freelance hiring and budget control together with the Studio and Production Manager.






- Provide creative direction and input on design concepts, ensuring that they align with the brand identity, target audience, and project objectives. This may involve brainstorming sessions, concept development, and design reviews.
- Ensure the quality and consistency of design deliverables through thorough review and critique, by providing feedback to designers, conducting design audits, and implementing best practices.
- Foster a collaborative work environment where ideas are shared, feedback is encouraged, and communication flows freely between team members, clients, and stakeholders. Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the design team, including process optimisation, skills development, and the adoption of new tools and technologies to enhance value delivery.






- Identify potential risks and issues that may impact project delivery or client satisfaction, and implement mitigation strategies to address them proactively.
- Evaluate the performance of freelance designers against established goals and objectives, including factors such as creativity, attention to detail, adherence to brand guidelines, and overall effectiveness in meeting project objectives.
- Manage project budgets effectively, track expenses, and ensure that design projects are delivered within allocated financial constraints, while ensuring the best possible value for the Museum.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills







- A strong creative vision and the ability to conceptualise and visualise design concepts that align with the Museum's objectives and brand identity. ESSENTIAL
- Effective communication skills – crucial for conveying design concepts, providing feedback, and collaborating with team members, clients, and stakeholders. DESIRABLE
- Problem-solving – capable of identifying challenges, analysing root causes, and developing creative solutions to address them effectively. DESIRABLE
- A solid understanding of branding principles and the ability to maintain brand consistency across all design assets is essential. ESSENTIAL
- Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities may shift and new challenges may arise. DESIRABLE
- Strong attention to detail – crucial for ensuring the quality and accuracy of design deliverables,





as well as adherence to brand guidelines and project requirements. DESIRABLE

Knowledge

- Proficiency in industry-standard design software Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) ESSENTIAL
- Thorough understanding of brand identity elements such as logos, colours, typography, and brand guidelines, crucial for maintaining brand consistency across all design assets. ESSENTIAL
- Competent with both print and digital design processes, techniques, and best practices for the delivery of a wide range of design deliverables. DESIRABLE
- Understanding of client needs, expectations, and communication strategies – important for building and maintaining strong client relationships. DESIRABLE






- Knowledge of budgeting principles and resource management techniques for effective resource allocation and budget control. ESSENTIAL

Experience

- Proven experience of managing design teams, either as a team lead, senior designer, or in a similar role. Experience in mentoring and coaching junior designers is also valuable. ESSENTIAL
- Experience of working directly with clients, gathering requirements, presenting design concepts, and managing client relationships. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. ESSENTIAL
- Experience of managing design projects from inception to completion, including budgeting, resource allocation, and timeline management. DESIRABLE
- Experience of developing and implementing design strategies that align with organisational goals and priorities,





with the ability to think strategically about design initiatives and their impact on the business. DESIRABLE
- Combined experience of design expertise, project management skills, and industry knowledge is essential. ESSENTIAL

Equality, diversity, and inclusion:-
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Application Process

Please apply using your CV and 1 page Cover Letter Word format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

The closing date for applications is Friday 25th October 2024 @ 23:59

Benefits:-

- In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:
- Final salary pension scheme
- Free travel for you on the TfL network
- Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
- 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
- Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
- Discounted Eurostar travel

Museum and Heritage

▶️ Design Manager
🖊️ Transport for London
📍 United Kingdom