Manager, Attractions Designer (1 Year Contract) - Part-Time

This role is hired under Mandai X, the growth accelerator and venture building arm of Mandai Wildlife Group.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

We live in a world where the delicate balance with nature has been disrupted. Reversing this trend will require a global effort of unprecedented speed and scale.

An impossible task alone.

Which is why we challenge ourselves to reach 1 billion consumers, as potential for change can only happen when many come together.

And this is where Mandai X can make a difference. Working to influence changes in attitudes, decisions and behaviours.

Leveraging over 50 years of experience in inspiring people to value and protect nature as part of the Mandai Wildlife Group, our efforts will spark, catalyse and accelerate innovative ventures in completely new domains to drive growth and impact beyond boundaries. Eliminating the well-entrenched trade-offs faced between commercial, human and the planet’s wellbeing; and blending everything together so that these usual conflicts faced are aligned.

We will redefine what a better life means; and unleash humanity’s collective power to make this change through impactful ventures that enable and empower individuals and companies with everyday choices that not only help them, but also make the world a better place at the same time.

Welcome to Mandai X.

Manager, Attractions Designer
This Manager, Attractions Designer is a delivery and strategic role within Mandai X's Credibility & Delivery team. The incumbent leads the end-to-end design and masterplanning of nature-integrated attractions — including wildlife habitats, aviaries, ecological precincts, and destination experiences — with full ownership of project workstreams from concept through detailed design.

Operating as a design authority on complex, multi-disciplinary projects across Asia, this role requires deep expertise in attractions or wildlife design, the ability to direct junior designers, and a capacity to engage clients and technical stakeholders with credibility and confidence.

Job Duties & Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Delivery 

• Lead concept, schematic design, and detailed design packages across multiple simultaneous project workstreams with minimal supervision. 

• Translate strategic briefs and creative direction into buildable, technically sound design solutions appropriate for wildlife and nature attraction contexts. 

• Coordinate design inputs across disciplines — architecture, landscape, structural engineering, MEP, and exhibit specialists — ensuring integrated and coherent design outcomes. 

• Anticipate design risks and conflicts early; develop and communicate resolution strategies to the Design Lead proactively. 

• Review and guide the work of Design Associates and Junior Designers, maintaining quality and consistency against project standards. 

Technical & Domain Expertise 

• Apply specialist knowledge of wildlife habitat design, aviary structures, ecological masterplanning, and visitor experience sequencing to project delivery. 

• Coordinate with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) — including zoological, horticultural, structural, and environmental specialists — to integrate technical inputs into design. 

• Lead or contribute to technical design reviews, structural assessments, and feasibility evaluations for complex attraction typologies. 

• Champion and build design-related AI tooling and digital workflows within the team to improve delivery efficiency and output quality. 

Business Development Support 

• Contribute to business development efforts through the production of high-quality visuals, design narratives, diagrams, and presentation materials. 

• Represent Mandai X's design capability and quality in client-facing settings; support pitch presentations and design workshops. 

• Contribute to thought leadership content, internal design standards, and capability-building initiatives. 

Decision Rights & Secondary Responsibilities
Decision Rights (Independent) 

• Design decisions within approved project brief and budget parameters. 

• Consultant coordination and technical instruction on assigned workstreams. 

• Allocation of tasks and review feedback to Design Associates and Junior Designers. 

• Selection of design tools, documentation formats, and AI-assisted workflows at the project level. 

Secondary Responsibilities 

• Support scope and fee discussions where directed by the Design Lead. 

• Contribute to internal knowledge management, template development, and onboarding of new design staff. 

• Assist in identifying and qualifying new project opportunities within existing client relationships. 

Job Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, or a related field. 

• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience, with a demonstrated track record in attractions design, themed environments, wildlife facilities, or nature-integrated destinations. 

• Proven ability to lead design workstreams independently from concept through detailed design. 

• Strong technical design skills with proficiency in relevant CAD, BIM, and visualisation tools. 

• Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams and managing external consultants. 

• Excellent communication skills — written, visual, and verbal — for client and stakeholder engagement. 

Good To Have

• Experience in zoo, aquarium, aviary, or nature precinct design projects, particularly in tropical or Asian contexts. 

• Familiarity with wildlife husbandry requirements and the integration of animal welfare into design. 

• Exposure to regional attraction markets across Southeast or South Asia. 

• Experience developing or deploying AI tooling in a design studio context.