Overview:
The Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) is the home of Roald Dahl’s much loved stories and characters. With over 300 million books sold globally and translated into 68 languages, our stories have entertained generations of kids and adults with their unique mix of mischief, irreverence and full-hearted hope.
Together with our parent company Netflix, and united by our love of these great stories, we’re working with some of the world’s best storytellers and creative minds to bring them to life in new ways that will delight fans. Our plans include animated and live action films and series, publishing, theatre, immersive experiences, games, consumer products, brand partnerships, and more.
We believe in diversity and inclusion and we want to attract the broadest range of talented people to work with us. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We are happy to try and make the application process easier for you if you have any particular access requirements, so do let us know.
The role:
The Senior Design Manager is responsible for overseeing the design function within The Roald Dahl Story Company, providing creative and strategic management of all aspects of design, alongside managing our in house team of designers.
The Design team is responsible for our brand visual identity and design across a range of areas including brand partnerships, licensed merchandise, marketing, publishing, social media and more, using a number of stylistic approaches.
The role reports to the Director of Brand, working closely with the Head of Brand, and the wider business and key external partners.
Key responsibilities:
Act as a strategic partner to both the Head of Brand and Director of Brand, looking at how design can support the overall brand’s ambitions and objectives, proactively identifying opportunities and ideas.
Manage the allocation of projects across the design team, agencies and freelancers, assessing and prioritising briefs from across the business ensuring a focus on business and commercial priorities.
Manage key internal stakeholder relationships especially with the Product and Partnerships team, providing creative solutions and ideas to support their objectives.
Manage key external stakeholder relationships with partners including Netflix, Penguin and other commercial partners.
Overall management and development of the design team of 3 designers, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
Act as the guardian of our brand's visual identity, including managing all of our brand and visual guidelines.
Ensure quality and consistency across all design projects, reviewing work to ensure alignment with brand guidelines and best practice.
Art direction and support good, consistent design practice within the design team and across other departments.
Build a network of freelancers and agencies that we can partner with across specific projects.
Support on design work as and when required at busy periods or on specific projects.
Keep up to date with industry trends, best practice and tools to ensure we remain creatively ambitious and appealing to partners.
Ensure all assets and asset management systems are kept up to date.
Manage design team budget alongside Director of Brand.
Additional responsibilities as required.
Key skills
At least 7 years experience in graphic design roles, including significant experience of team and project management.
Proactive, self-starter, who does not need to be told what to do and who will drive momentum and be resourceful in order to find solutions to any problems.
Experience of working with branded content across multiple disciplines, ideally within an entertainment, licensing and/or retail environment. This should be demonstrable through your portfolio.
Be comfortable working within brand guidelines, but have the skillset and confidence to think creatively and expand the guidelines. This should be demonstrable in your portfolio
High-level, expert knowledge and experience in using the Adobe Creative Suite — InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator are essential.
Strong interest and passion for Roald Dahl’s stories and how these can creatively be brought to life.
Excellent communication and relationship management skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and conflicting views.
Strong management skills, able to provide constructive feedback and motivate a team.
Excellent ability to think both strategically and creatively to overcome design and business challenges.
A good understanding of marketing and branding principles to ensure that designs align with business objectives.
Flexibility, resourcefulness and an ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and to manage multiple deadlines, alongside shifting priorities.
A strong eye for detail.
RDSC Employee Benefits:
Flexible Working: Flexi-time and hybrid working with 2 days in the office per week
Wellbeing & Mental Health Support: Access to either 6 coaching or therapy sessions per year, wellbeing workshops and self-guided content via Oliva. Plus access to Unum’s Help@Hand app which offers mental health and wellbeing services
Annual Leave Allowance: 28 days plus UK bank holidays.
Workplace Pension Scheme: 2% employee and 7% employer contribution
BUPA Health Care: Optional opt in to private healthcare
Group Income Protection scheme & Life Assurance at 2x annual salary
Sabbatical: 1 month paid sabbatical after 5 years’ service
Season Ticket Loan
Weekly online yoga class
Daily snacks, drinks and breakfast supplies and lunch provided monthly at company all hands days
Social: Annual summer and year end event plus ad-hoc events e.g. screenings / premieres. Monthly book club and monthly lunchtime screening club.
Charity matching: £250 donation contribution per year to anyone fundraising for a registered charity. Matching of staff donations towards a registered charity up to £1000 per year
How to apply:
We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills and stories to join us and to influence and develop our working practice.
The Roald Dahl Story Company is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
We kindly ask for applicants to complete our equal opportunities monitoring questionnaire as part of their application.
The information that you provide will not be used to influence our recruitment decisions. Please notify us if you require any adjustments in order for you to be able to complete the application and/or interview process.
Take a look at our privacy notice for details regarding how your personal data will be handled for the purpose of recruitment and selection:
To apply, please submit a CV, cover letter and relevant portfolio of work by Midday on Monday 13th May 2024.
