Senior Manager Design & Branding

Apt Resources is currently seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Manager Design & Branding to join the team of one of their esteemed clients in the airlines industry in the GCC region. As a Senior Manager of Design & Branding, you will be responsible for translating business needs and briefs into compelling creative solutions. You will lead teams of design and equipment managers and specialists, providing creative and strategic direction, and budget recommendations, and overseeing functional areas including PDD; Onboard & Lounges, and Aircraft Interiors. Your role includes ensuring the timely, budget-conscious, and high-quality delivery of products and experiences. Additionally, you will communicate the company’s creative vision to the design team, equipment team, and stakeholders, supervise the entire design process, and make crucial technical decisions. You'll manage timelines, and budgets, and maintain relationships with suppliers and other stakeholders. As an expert communicator, you will keep the team informed and ensure they have the necessary resources and knowledge to succeed.

Responsibilities

Strategic:

• Define a comprehensive design strategy and vision for product definition, encompassing creative design, branding, industrial and product design, environmental and structural design for areas such as Onboard & Lounges, and Aircraft Interiors.
• Guide the team in developing effective ideas into detailed drawings and actual design solutions.
• Strengthen the brand through product quality, design aesthetics, strategic partnerships, and inflight and lounge product propositions.
• Determine the most productive tender and product sourcing approaches, aligning with desired product quality, deadlines, and budget allocations.

Operational:

• Extend the scope to special projects for other subsidiaries and divisions, including Marketing, Charter Flight, and Corporate Communication, ensuring brand alignment and event synergy.
• Collaborate with leading airline businesses to benchmark and understand technology, production methods, techniques, and effective solutions.
• Conduct thorough product cost analysis to build compelling business cases for budget allocations, ensuring value for money.
• Plan tenders strategically for customer-facing items, strengthen brand partnerships, and achieve the best value and design solutions for the airline.
• Identify innovation opportunities, such as new product ranges, markets, and industry developments, to advance departmental propositions.
• Develop effective internal processes to consistently meet tender timelines and achieve fruitful results from evaluations.
• Define additional contractual advantages, such as brand exclusivity and design ownership, that serve the airline’s best interests.
• Establish specific product sourcing definitions for the equipment team to follow.
• Lead project management, defining comprehensive timelines for on-time project delivery, whether long-term or urgent.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and suppliers to create smooth launch plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Qualifications in a design-related field such as Industrial, Graphics, or Interiors.
• Experience leading a design and development team in an interactive medium, such as graphic and element design with large production capabilities.
• Experience in various aspects of production and equipment management.
• Understanding of product and equipment development, production methodologies, and project management within the airline industry or a similar field.
• Experience in product development design phases, including scripting product development phases, is advantageous.

Benefits

TBD