Head of Spatial, Exhibition and Set Design in Norwich

Full time, Permanent

Based in Norwich

Wanted – an experienced Head of Spatial, Exhibition and Set Design Manager to lead, guide and support our exceptional team of talented spatial designers.

The role:

• As we continue to deliver exceptional live event experiences, exhibitions, and interior installations for our clients, we are looking to recruit an experienced Spatial Design Manager ideally from an agency background to lead, galvanise and drive the development of our team of spatial designers.
• You will be responsible for driving excellence and innovation within our spatial design offering to our clients from within our Norwich studio from concept to manufacture.
• An experienced people manager you will provide line management of the Spatial Design team on a day-to-day basis in everything from performance, training and development, team briefings, studio work allocation, resources, and welfare.
• You will also be an excellent senior level spatial designer who is technically competent with an outstanding understanding of creating design environments and spaces that exceed client briefs.
• You will have experience of creating visuals, accurate scaled floor plans, component drawings, creative sketches as well as the ability to provide detailed manufacturing drawings.
• You will need a high level of understanding of Vectorworks and Unreal Engine software for producing visuals.
• The successful candidate will have prior experience of the corporate event/installation/exhibition industry working alongside producers/project management and manufacturing teams.
• With first rate client facing skills and prior experience with supporting pitches and presentations you should be enthusiastic, solutions orientated, well organised, who can multi-task and work to strict deadlines whilst still delivering great service.
• Prior experience of quoting is essential for spatial design elements.

The day-to-day line management and supervision of the Spatial Design team including performance management, training and development, individual one to one meetings and team briefings etc.

• Manage the work schedules within the Spatial Design Team, planning ahead, meeting deadlines, managing staff time and holidays, resources and budgets.
• To delegate and allocate projects monitoring the timelines for completion on work/tasks.
• Lead on project from a design perspective from inception to de-brief, including how to gain understanding of a client’s objectives, the ability to brief colleagues effectively, empathising with the client’s requirements, the application of skills and leadership under pressure while supporting Account Managers and Project Leads to deliver the best solution available.
• Embed and drive a production understanding within the design process ensuring designs are rigorously interrogated to be fit for purpose from a manufacturing, budgetary and timescale perspective.
• Liaise effectively with all internal teams to ensure the effective relay and cascade of information.
• Lead the Spatial Design team as required for creatively interpreting briefs.
• Creatively lead on the concept creation for project and support a creative mindset throughout the team.
• Create detailed floor plans and technical build/manufacturing drawings, 3D models using Vectorworks.
• Manage the Spatial Design Team creating budgets and timescales for projects keeping the relevant Project Lead updated with the progress and costs.
• Create visual designs, renders and technical build/manufacturing drawings with the relevant software.
• Lead and support with pitches and presentations.
• To be an expert in your field by volunteering innovative creative input and bespoke design ideas to present to key stakeholders.
• Undertake comprehensive site visits when required, liaising with relevant stakeholders.
• Gather information using available resources to cost out a reasonable estimated quote.
• Contribute proactively through ongoing communication, meetings etc. with all appropriate departments.
• Take responsibility for being at the forefront of the design profession by keeping abreast of new developments in design and technology.
• To actively pursue commercial and creative opportunities for Pb.

The person:

• 3 + years experience in a similar Senior Spatial Design Manager/lead role (E)
• Excellent people manager with the ability to manage a studio team (E)
• Detailed knowledge of spatial design including exhibitions, conference stage sets, and hospitality spaces (E)
• Experience of managing project workflow through a studio allocating projects to team members (E)
• Experience of delivering projects from concept to delivery in a pressurised environment to deadlines (E)
• Excellent working knowledge of the Adobe Creative suite, Vectorworks and Unreal Engine (E)
• Knowledge of Photoshop and/or Illustrator (D)
• Creating and managing project budgets (E)
• Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills (E)
• Good presentation skills when client facing (E)
• Experience of supporting pitches and presentations (E)
• Professional or degree level qualification in Exhibition/Spatial Design or similar discipline (D)
• Experience of communicating with clients on creative projects and client briefs (E)
• Experience of conceptual design and hand drawn sketching (E)
• Experience of quoting (E)
• Experience and awareness of Health & Safety requirements relating to Exhibition & Spatial work (E)
• Experience in the live events industry (D)
• Detailed knowledge of manufacturing and onsite construction (D)

About us:

This is a unique opportunity to join Production Bureau Limited which is a growing multi-service brand agency based in Norwich as we celebrate over 35 years in business. With three offices in the UK, two in Norwich and one in Edinburgh employing circa 100+ staff, we continue to successfully deliver creative projects all over the globe for some of the most respected companies across multiple sectors.

Benefits include:

• 30 days Annual Leave (4 pre-allocated over the Festive period)
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Medical, Dental and Optical Insurance
• Income Protection Insurance
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Staff Social Activities

Please provide a link or PDF to showcase some examples of your previous work as part of the process. Competitive salary and benefits. Interested in joining a company with a vibrant culture then send your CV and covering email or complete a job application form to Julia Marchant, Head of HR at careers@productionbureau.com. We would encourage you to visit our website for further information on the role referring to the job description and person specification to establish suitability. Candidates must hold the appropriate documentation to work in the UK as we do not hold a sponsorship licence and be within a daily commutable distance to our Norwich offices.