UI/UX Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI/UX Design Manager Company: Rocket Science Group Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom Job Type: Full-Time Category: Game Development Operations / Product Design Operations Date Posted: August 08, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid to Senior Level) Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of UX designers and UI artists to deliver exceptional player experiences in game development.
• Drive the strategic vision for UI/UX design, ensuring alignment with game objectives, artistic vision, and technical constraints.
• Champion player-centric design principles, user research, and accessibility standards throughout the development lifecycle.
• Manage the end-to-end UI art asset pipeline, from concept and wireframing to final in-game implementation, ensuring visual cohesion and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is UI/UX Design Manager, the company's focus on AAA game development and veteran team members from major studios implies a need for strong operational oversight of design processes, team efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering and production. This role will require a blend of creative leadership, people management, and process optimization to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of UI/UX components within a complex game development environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of UX designers and UI artists, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Define and communicate design and art direction, including rationale and priorities, to stakeholders and team members, ensuring transparency and alignment.
• Guide the creation of high-quality UI art assets, from initial concepts and wireframes to final in-game implementation, maintaining stylistic consistency and technical quality.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, production, and other disciplines to ensure UI/UX needs are met, balancing creative aspirations with technical feasibility and production realities.
• Champion player-first design thinking, incorporating user feedback, research, and accessibility best practices into the design process.
• When necessary, contribute hands-on to UI/UX deliverables, including wireframes, prototypes, mockups, iconography, HUD elements, and final visual assets, setting a high standard for the team.
• Serve as the primary design and art lead for client engagements, translating client visions into actionable plans and ensuring successful project outcomes.
• Streamline communication and optimize delivery pipelines to enhance project efficiency and success, even in complex or challenging project environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strong process management, akin to what would be expected in operations. This includes "Force Multiplication" (optimizing team output), "Art & Design Integration" (managing a pipeline), and "Operational Resilience" (navigating complex project environments), all of which are core to operations functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience in game design or UX/UI leadership.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in UI/UX design, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership or management capacity within the video game industry or a closely related field (e.g., interactive entertainment, simulation development).
• Demonstrated experience in managing and mentoring small to medium-sized teams of UX designers and UI artists.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering UI/UX solutions for complex interactive products, preferably games.
• Experience in client-facing roles, managing project scope, communication, and deliverables.

Required Skills:

• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and manage a multidisciplinary design and art team, including performance management, feedback delivery, and career development.
• Design & Art Mastery: Deep understanding of UX principles, interaction design, information architecture, user flow mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and accessibility best practices. Strong knowledge of UI art asset creation pipelines, style guides, visual design principles, and in-game implementation workflows.
• Player-Centric Mindset: Demonstrated empathy for players, with a passion for creating intuitive, engaging, and accessible user experiences. Ability to translate player needs and behaviors into effective design solutions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to foster trust and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, production, art, and QA. Strong facilitation and presentation skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Axure, InVision).
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their UI implementation pipelines.
• Knowledge of user research methodologies, usability testing, and data analysis for informing design decisions.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies as applied to game development.
• Understanding of performance optimization for UI elements in real-time applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operational Resilience" value directly translates to a need for strong process management and problem-solving skills, which are critical for operations roles. This implies that candidates with experience in managing workflows, optimizing processes, and ensuring project continuity will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing leadership in UI/UX design and art direction for at least one significant game title or interactive project.
• Examples demonstrating end-to-end UI/UX process, including user research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and final UI art asset creation.
• Case studies illustrating how you have managed and mentored a design team, improved design processes, or solved complex UI/UX challenges.
• Demonstration of strong visual design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and iconography, applied to game UI.
• Evidence of understanding and implementing accessibility standards in UI design.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of process documentation for UI/UX workflows, including style guide creation, asset handoff procedures, and collaboration protocols between design, art, and engineering.
• Demonstration of how you have documented and optimized design pipelines to improve efficiency and quality.
• Evidence of creating and managing design systems or component libraries for consistent UI implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "process documentation," "pipeline optimization," and "collaboration protocols" strongly suggests that candidates with a background in operations or a clear understanding of process management will be highly regarded. The portfolio should highlight not just the final output but the structured approach taken to achieve it.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given this is a UI/UX Design Manager role in Cardiff, Wales, and considering the company's background with AAA veterans, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £60,000 - £85,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar management roles in the UK games development sector, accounting for experience level, team management responsibilities, and the company's positioning.

Benefits:

• Financial: Private Pension via Salary Sacrifice, Optional Private Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage.
• Time Off: Generous Annual Leave, Plus Bank Holidays and Winter Break Office Closure.
• Professional Growth: Annual Research Credit for skill enhancement, Biannual Performance Reviews with clear development paths, Internal Tech Talks, and opportunities to learn from industry specialists.
• Work-Life Balance: Commitment to "no crunch" culture, promoting a flexible working environment.
• Family Support: Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave (6 weeks full pay).
• Office Perks: Weekly Team Lunches, Snacks (including Yorkshire Tea), Fully Equipped Team Lounge with consoles and games, and a supportive, creative working environment.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The company emphasizes work-life balance and a flexible working environment, suggesting some flexibility in daily start and end times, provided core team and client meeting needs are met. The hybrid model allows for 2 days of remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the UK technology and gaming sectors, adjusted for the specific location (Cardiff), experience level (5-10 years), and management responsibilities. The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects a company that invests in its employees' well-being and professional development, which is a strong draw for operations professionals seeking stability and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development. Atomic Theory, part of the Rocket Science Group, comprises seasoned AAA veterans from leading studios like Blizzard, PUBG, and Epic Games, indicating a high standard of quality and a deep understanding of player-centric game design. Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of multiple international offices (Albany, NY; Austin, TX; Cardiff, UK) and a "multinational team" suggests a medium to large organization with a significant global presence within the gaming sector. Founded: The founding date of Atomic Theory is not provided, but its team's background implies a relatively established entity with a history of delivering successful AAA experiences.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX Design Manager will lead a team of UX designers and UI artists. This team is likely part of a larger game development studio structure, collaborating closely with engineering, production, QA, and potentially narrative and audio departments.
• Reporting will likely be to a Director of Product, Head of Art, or a Studio Head, depending on the studio's organizational hierarchy.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with the UI/UX team acting as a critical bridge between player experience goals and technical implementation.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a "player-centric" approach, focusing on "performance, accessibility, and the meticulous attention to the engineering tools and frameworks." This suggests a data-informed design process, likely incorporating user research, usability testing, and iterative feedback loops.
• There's a strong emphasis on process and efficiency, highlighted by the "Continuous Improvement Mindset" and "Operational Resilience" values, indicating a commitment to refining workflows and delivery pipelines.

Company Website: https://www.rocketscience.gg/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture appears to be a blend of creative excellence and operational rigor, driven by experienced industry professionals. The emphasis on AAA quality, player experience, and efficient processes suggests an environment where operational excellence in design execution is highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a management position within the product development lifecycle, specifically focusing on the operational aspects of design output. It sits at a crucial intersection of creative direction and project execution, requiring strategic thinking about team performance, process efficiency, and cross-functional alignment. Reporting Structure: The UI/UX Design Manager will typically report to a higher-level executive within the studio, such as a Creative Director, Head of Art, or Studio Director. They will, in turn, manage a team of UX Designers and UI Artists, forming a key leadership tier within the product development structure. Operations Impact: By leading the UI/UX team, this role directly impacts the player's interaction with the game, influencing engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, the game's commercial success. Efficient design processes and high-quality UI/UX contribute to smoother development cycles, reduced rework, and a more polished final product, all of which have significant operational and financial implications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Director-level role overseeing broader product design functions or multiple game projects.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of game UI/UX, such as player onboarding, monetization interfaces, or accessibility design.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to and collaboration with various development disciplines (engineering, production, QA) can broaden understanding of the end-to-end game development process.
• Process Improvement Leadership: Taking on initiatives to further refine design operations, implement new tools, or develop best practices for the studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role's emphasis on "managing," "leading," and "improving processes" positions it as a key operational leadership role within the creative domain. Growth opportunities are tied to both expanding design leadership scope and taking on broader operational responsibilities within the studio's development framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Cardiff, Wales, and is described as a hybrid position, requiring 3 days onsite per week. This suggests a modern office environment designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and efficient workflow for the development teams. Office Location(s): The specific office location in Cardiff will provide access to amenities and transportation links relevant to professionals working in the city. Workspace Context:

• The office is likely equipped with the necessary tools and technology for game development, including high-performance workstations, design software, and collaborative spaces.
• The team environment is expected to be supportive and creative, with opportunities for interaction with specialists from diverse backgrounds within the games and software development industries.
• The presence of consoles and games in the team lounge indicates a culture that values play and immersion in the product. Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, with an emphasis on work-life balance and flexibility, which is crucial for maintaining team morale and preventing burnout in the demanding game development industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role and the emphasis on a "supportive and creative working environment" suggest that operational efficiency is balanced with employee well-being. The office perks and focus on work-life balance are key factors for attracting and retaining talent in specialized roles like this.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and portfolio to assess leadership experience, design expertise, and alignment with the company's values.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your leadership style, team management experience, strategic approach to UI/UX, and understanding of the games industry. Expect questions about past projects, team challenges, and your philosophy on design excellence.
• Team/Peer Interview: Meetings with potential direct reports (UX designers, UI artists) and cross-functional collaborators (e.g., engineers, producers) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your work, highlighting leadership contributions, process improvements, and how you've driven successful UI/UX outcomes. Be prepared to discuss your rationale, challenges faced, and solutions implemented.
• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic vision, and alignment with the company's long-term goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in managing teams, mentoring individuals, and driving design strategy. Use "I" for your individual contributions and "We" for team achievements.
• Highlight Process: Demonstrate your understanding of the end-to-end design process, including how you gather requirements, conduct research, iterate on designs, and collaborate with other departments. Focus on process optimization and efficiency gains.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your UI/UX solutions (e.g., improved usability scores, increased player engagement, reduced support tickets related to UI).
• Focus on Problem-Solving: Present case studies that clearly define a problem, your approach to solving it, the solutions you implemented, and the results. Emphasize your "Operational Resilience" in navigating challenges.
• Visual Polish: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to navigate, reflecting the high standards expected for UI/UX work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge or a hypothetical scenario related to game UI/UX. This might involve critiquing an existing UI, proposing solutions for a specific gameplay challenge, or outlining a strategy for a new feature.
• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely. Focus on how you would approach the problem operationally, considering team resources, timelines, and technical constraints.
• Be ready to discuss your understanding of game development pipelines and how UI/UX integrates within them.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential design challenges indicates that demonstrating practical application of leadership, process management, and problem-solving skills is paramount. Candidates should prepare to articulate not just the "what" but the "how" and "why" behind their design decisions and team management approaches.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), Sketch, Axure, InVision. Proficiency in at least one major suite is expected for managing team output.
• Project Management & Collaboration: Jira, Confluence, Trello, Asana, Slack, Microsoft Teams. Essential for team coordination, task tracking, and communication.
• Game Engines (Familiarity): Unreal Engine, Unity. Understanding how UI is implemented within these engines is crucial for effective collaboration with engineering.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics: Tools for tracking player behavior and UI interaction (e.g., GameAnalytics, proprietary analytics tools).
• Reporting & Dashboarding: Tools for creating reports on team performance, project status, and design metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly customer-facing, CRM concepts related to user profiles and player feedback management might be relevant. Automation tools for design workflows or reporting could also be of interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools listed are standard for UI/UX roles, but the context of game development means familiarity with engine-specific UI implementation pipelines is a significant advantage. For an operations-minded candidate, understanding how these tools integrate to create efficient workflows is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Transparency: Open communication regarding design direction, project status, and challenges is expected, fostering trust and alignment across the team and with stakeholders.
• Player-Centricity: A core value that drives all design decisions, ensuring the player experience is always the primary consideration.
• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams, valuing input from all disciplines to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine processes, learn new techniques, and elevate the quality of work, reflecting an operational mindset focused on efficiency and excellence.
• Operational Resilience: The ability to adapt, problem-solve, and maintain productivity even when faced with complex project environments or shifting requirements.

Collaboration Style:

• The team likely operates with a collaborative, iterative approach, encouraging feedback and knowledge sharing. Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills with engineering, production, and other art disciplines.
• Expect regular design reviews, team sync-ups, and open discussions to ensure alignment and address challenges proactively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of creative passion and structured execution. The "Continuous Improvement" and "Operational Resilience" values are particularly relevant for candidates with an operations background, showcasing an environment that appreciates process-driven problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: Navigating the complexities of game development to deliver innovative UI/UX solutions that are also technically feasible and performant.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating and aligning design decisions with various internal teams and potentially external clients.
• Leading and Motivating a Creative Team: Fostering a productive and inspiring environment for designers and artists, while managing performance and career development.
• Adapting to Evolving Project Needs: The dynamic nature of game development often requires flexibility and the ability to pivot strategies based on feedback or changing project scope.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend gaming or design conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and network with peers.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like advanced prototyping, user research methodologies, or accessibility standards for games.
• Leadership Training: Formal or informal training in management techniques, team building, and strategic planning.
• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining a deeper understanding of engineering, production, and QA processes to enhance collaboration and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in creative industries but are amplified in game development. A strong operational approach can help mitigate many of these by establishing clear processes, communication channels, and risk management strategies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your philosophy on leading a UI/UX team in a fast-paced game development environment. How do you foster creativity while ensuring operational efficiency?"
• "How do you approach balancing player needs, artistic vision, and technical limitations when designing game UI? Provide an example of a complex trade-off you managed."
• "Walk us through your process for integrating user feedback and usability testing into your design workflow. How do you ensure this feedback is actionable for your team?"
• "Describe a time you had to manage a difficult client request or a challenging project environment. How did you ensure a successful outcome?" (Focus on "Operational Resilience")
• "How do you ensure consistency and quality across all UI assets produced by your team, from initial concepts to final implementation?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Atomic Theory and the Rocket Science Group? What excites you about our work and this role?"
• "How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning within a design team?"
• "How do you approach collaboration with engineering and production teams? What are common points of friction, and how do you resolve them?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved.
• Emphasize Leadership & Process: Highlight instances where you led teams, improved workflows, or managed complex operational aspects of design delivery.
• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Explain the "why" behind your design choices and how they align with broader game objectives.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design decisions, technical considerations, and team management approach.
• Showcase Adaptability: Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback, iterate on designs, and adapt to changing requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design talent but also strong leadership and operational acumen. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience in managing processes, teams, and projects within the context of game development, highlighting their ability to deliver results efficiently and effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI/UX Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that specifically highlights your leadership experience, end-to-end UI/UX process, and any examples of process optimization or operational improvements you've implemented. Tailor case studies to showcase your "Operational Resilience" and "Continuous Improvement" mindset.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your experience in managing design teams, your technical proficiency with relevant tools, and your accomplishments in delivering high-quality UI/UX for interactive products, ideally games. Use keywords from the job description such as "lead," "manage," "design strategy," "player-centric," and "operational resilience."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, design process, and problem-solving approaches. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage teams, collaborate cross-functionally, and drive projects to successful completion within the demanding environment of game development.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Rocket Science Group and Atomic Theory, understanding their mission, values, and the types of games they aim to create. This will help you tailor your responses to align with their culture and objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.