Design Manager

London Area, United Kingdom

Job title: Design Manager

Reports to: Senior Design Manager

Location: Hybrid 3 days a week in office (central London) with travel across the UK for project and brand based work.

About us

ASK Italian is a family of 66 Italian restaurants across the UK, with every ASK serving its own unique community. We take our inspiration from the Italian way of life and put our heart and soul into the details, so when people come to our restaurants, they can relax, unwind and be themselves. Behind the scenes we’re working together to build a better business, strengthen our communities and care for the planet for generations to come.

Purpose of the role

The ASK Italian Design Manager supports and works along-side the Senior Design Manager in delivering the design strategy through the transformation, and new restaurant opening program along with low cost investment projects for garden sites or Out of Restaurant integration.

You & the job

The ASK Italian Design Manager works in-house within the design team, sharing responsibility for managing design relating to the refurbishment and new restaurant opening programme for the ASK Italian brand. The role reports into, and works along-side the Senior Design Manager on project delivery, and as a team they report collectively into the Creative Director of Azzurri. The design team works closely with the wider ASK Italian and Azzurri design teams, as well as marketing, food development and operations. The role requires a flexible, organised and creative approach with a great eye for detail and the ability to manage complex projects in a collaborative and commercial way.

Key Accountabilities

Attending new opening, transformation and spruce-up site meetings relating to the project timeline. These include briefings, prestart and handover meetings.

Managing external designers on their delivery of all projects to brand standards.

Delivering all projects on time and to agreed budget.

Creating full drawing packages for restaurant refurbishment projects including GA, RCP, Internal elevations, construction details and furniture & finishes schedules, ready for internal approval, tender & construction.

Ensure all brand elements are included in each project.

Working as a part of the design team collaboratively on all projects to achieve the best results for each project managed.

Liaising with local authorities, landlords and the Azzurri property team where required, to gain relevant approvals for work.

Work with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders and suppliers.

Co-ordinate the refurbishment and development program annually.

Research new suppliers, materials and finishes.

Liaise with and manage illustrators and any new talent required to build and maintain a library of approved collaborators.

Working tirelessly on evolving the brand to ensure its success, including attending other meetings with the wider company where necessary.

Experience

3-4 years’ experience of food and beverage or retail interior design

In depth knowledge of materials, furniture lighting and electrical specifications and design

Experience of space planning for restaurants

Good understanding of relevant building regulations and related legal requirements

Must be able to show examples of own designs for bespoke joinery elements, from concept through to construction issued drawings for new opening projects

Experience of hand drawn or 3D visuals

Preparation of mood boards and sample boards

Communication and presentation of project plans, concepts and proposals at senior and board level for consideration and approval.

Skills & Behaviours

Strong working knowledge and experience of using various design software packages including Vectorworks and Adobe creative suite

Fully conversant in Microsoft office suite

Interior design or interior architecture degree essential

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Able to interpret, communicate and deliver the ASK Italian brand vision

Excellent communications skills. Able to liaise with contractors, architects, and suppliers with confidence, consideration and collaboration

Patience and ability to multi-task in a fast faced environment. Can work on own initiative as well as take direction. Must be able to cope with conflicting demands, able to prioritise duties, work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines

Interest and appreciation of design and design theory

Creative flair and a friendly and open working attitude

Energy, pace and desire to learn and grown within ASK Italian and the Azzurri Group

What we can offer you:

A supportive environment where development and training is in the heart of what we do.

The opportunity to earn a bonus of up to 20% of your salary.

A contribution of 6% of your salary to your pension pot each month.

Private health care to ease any worries.

25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, with an additional 2 days holiday at 5 years’ service and 5 days at 10 years

Peace of mind from your very first day with our Life Assurance and income protection scheme

WeCare wellbeing services, including 24/7 GP, mental health, legal and financial support, etc. for you and your immediate family

50% discount with ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama and 25% discount for friends and family members

An annual eye test and eyecare savings plus a flu jab voucher

We also have a great office designed by our own in-house creative team, located in Central London, just opposite the Edgware Road Circle line tube stop. As you might expect from an Italian restaurant company, we have free espresso and barista training as part of your induction! A free Coco di Mama breakfast is provided every Tuesday & Thursday and free fruit is available all day every day. We regularly order in pizza, pasta and salads for lunch.