UI/UX Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI/UX Design Manager Company: Rocket Science Group Location: Brighton, England, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Game Development Operations / Creative Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-08T00:00:00 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite expected)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of UX designers and UI artists in crafting player-centric user experiences for AAA-quality games.
• Champion design thinking, ensuring high standards of usability, accessibility, and visual cohesion across all UI/UX deliverables.
• Drive the integration of UX flows and UI art assets from concept through in-game implementation, balancing creative vision with technical feasibility.
• Foster a collaborative and growth-oriented environment for the design and art team, promoting professional development and operational resilience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the game development sector, specifically focusing on the operational and managerial aspects of UI/UX design. The emphasis on "AAA-quality experiences," "engineering tools and frameworks," and "player-centric design" indicates a need for operations professionals who can manage complex creative pipelines and influence product development through design strategy. The "Operational Resilience" value highlights the importance of process management and adaptability in a dynamic project environment, common in game studios.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of UX designers and UI artists, providing regular feedback, growth opportunities, and clear career progression paths to foster an environment of creativity and innovation.
• Champion player-first design thinking, advocating for user needs and behaviours to deliver seamless, intuitive, and visually engaging experiences across all game titles.
• Guide the creation and implementation of UI art assets, ensuring stylistic consistency, technical quality, and adherence to established style guides and pipelines from concept to final in-game visuals.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, production, and art departments, to ensure design and art needs are met, balancing creative aspirations with technical constraints and production realities.
• Communicate design and art direction, rationale, and priorities clearly to stakeholders, keeping them informed on progress, decisions, and potential challenges to promote transparency and alignment.
• Contribute hands-on to UX deliverables (wireframes, prototypes) and UI art assets (mockups, iconography, HUD elements) when required, setting high standards for the team's output.
• Serve as the primary design and art lead for client engagements, building trust, translating client visions into actionable plans, and ensuring successful project outcomes through effective communication and guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize leadership in creative operations, focusing on team management, strategic design implementation, and cross-functional collaboration. The "Force Multiplication" point specifically calls out the need for operational efficiency in managing design resources and ensuring smooth integration with other development disciplines. "Lead Client Engagements" highlights a client-facing aspect, requiring strong communication and project management skills within a creative operations context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Digital Media, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience: 5-10 years of experience in UI/UX design, with a minimum of 2-3 years in a leadership or management role within the game development industry or a closely related creative field (e.g., interactive entertainment, high-fidelity simulation). Experience coordinating small to medium-sized teams of UX designers and UI artists is crucial.

Required Skills:

• Leadership & People Management: Proven experience leading and mentoring design and art teams, with a strong ability to foster professional growth, provide constructive feedback, and manage performance.
• UX Principles Mastery: Deep understanding of user experience (UX) principles, interaction design, information architecture, user research methodologies, and accessibility best practices.
• UI Art Pipeline Knowledge: Strong knowledge of UI art asset creation pipelines, style guides, and implementation workflows within game development or similar interactive media.
• Player-Centric Design: Demonstrated ability to empathize with players, understand their needs and behaviours, and translate these insights into intuitive and engaging user interfaces.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of building trust and working effectively with multidisciplinary teams (engineering, production, art).
• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to translate complex game systems and requirements into elegant, usable interfaces that maintain aesthetic quality and performance.
• Operational Acumen: Capacity to navigate complex project environments, streamline communication, and optimize delivery pipelines to ensure project success and operational resilience.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management methodologies relevant to creative workflows.
• Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their UI implementation systems.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure).
• Experience with user testing and iterative design processes.
• A portfolio showcasing a range of successful UI/UX projects, particularly in the gaming or interactive entertainment sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operational Resilience" requirement is a key differentiator for operations-minded candidates, suggesting an expectation for proactive problem-solving and efficiency optimization within the design team's processes. The emphasis on "game development industry" experience strongly signals a need for candidates familiar with the unique operational demands of game production.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear progression of UI/UX design projects, showcasing the evolution from initial concept and wireframing to final UI art assets and in-game implementation.
• Provide case studies that highlight your leadership in managing design teams, including team structure, task allocation, and mentorship strategies.
• Showcase examples of how you have translated complex game mechanics or systems into intuitive and accessible user interfaces, detailing the design process and decision-making.
• Include examples of UI art asset creation pipelines, style guides, and how these were managed and implemented effectively within a production environment.
• Present evidence of your ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and integrate design and art seamlessly with engineering and production workflows.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your approach to defining and documenting UI/UX design processes, including workflow design, iterative refinement, and quality assurance checkpoints.
• Provide examples of how you have implemented or improved processes for UI asset creation, style guide adherence, and version control within a team setting.
• Demonstrate methods for measuring and analyzing the effectiveness of UI/UX designs and processes, focusing on usability, player feedback, and performance metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio isn't just about individual design work; it's about demonstrating the ability to manage and optimize the process of UI/UX creation and team output. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their methodologies for team leadership, workflow management, and quality control within a creative operations context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Considering the location (Brighton, UK), experience level (5-10 years), and the industry (game development), a competitive salary in the range of £60,000 - £85,000 per annum is expected for a UI/UX Design Manager. This range is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the UK and the seniority required for managing creative teams.

Benefits:

• Private Pension via Salary Sacrifice: A valuable benefit offering tax advantages and long-term financial security.
• Optional Private Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Comprehensive healthcare options to support employee wellbeing.
• Generous Annual Leave: Including bank holidays and an additional winter break office closure, promoting work-life balance.
• Annual Research Credit: An allowance for personal and professional growth, encouraging continuous learning and skill enhancement.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Biannual reviews, cross-discipline collaboration, internal tech talks, and learning from industry specialists.
• Work-Life Balance Focused: Commitment to work-life balance and a "no crunch" culture, prioritizing employee wellbeing.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Extended maternity, paternity, and adoption leave (6 weeks full pay) to support employees during significant life events.
• Office Perks: Weekly team lunches, stocked snacks and drinks (including Yorkshire Tea), fully equipped team lounge with consoles and games, and a supportive, creative work environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The company promotes a flexible working environment, suggesting some adaptability in scheduling, provided core responsibilities and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is extensive and highlights a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and professional development, which is a positive indicator for operations professionals seeking a stable and supportive work environment. The "Annual Research Credit" and "Professional Development" points are particularly relevant for those focused on continuous learning and staying ahead in the evolving fields of UX and game development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Game Development / Interactive Entertainment. Rocket Science Group, through its studio Atomic Theory, is a prominent player in creating AAA-quality gaming experiences, drawing talent from major studios like Blizzard, PUBG, and Epic Games. This industry context means a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative environment with a strong focus on player engagement and technical excellence. Company Size: Atomic Theory is part of the larger Rocket Science Group. While specific numbers for Atomic Theory aren't given, the mention of multiple offices (Albany, NY; Austin, TX; Cardiff, UK) and a "multinational team" suggests a medium to large-sized operation within the gaming sector, offering both the resources of a larger entity and the agility of specialized studios. This size implies established operational processes but also opportunities for impact. Founded: The description doesn't state the founding date for Atomic Theory or Rocket Science Group directly, but it highlights a heritage of "AAA veterans" and a track record of delivering player-centric experiences. This suggests a company with a solid foundation and deep roots in the industry, likely established enough to have refined its operational methodologies over time.

Team Structure:

• The UI/UX Design Manager will lead a dedicated team of UX designers and UI artists, likely comprising several individuals with specialized skills in interaction design, visual design, and asset creation.
• The reporting structure would typically place the UI/UX Design Manager under a Creative Director, Head of Art, or a Senior Director of Product, depending on the studio hierarchy.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect, with the team working closely with game designers, engineers, producers, and QA testers to ensure seamless integration of UI/UX into the overall game development pipeline.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a "player-centric design thinking" approach, which involves rigorous data analysis of player behaviour, feedback, and usability testing to inform design decisions.
• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially given the mention of "engineering tools and frameworks" and the need for "operational resilience" to manage complex projects and potential challenges effectively.
• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into asset pipelines and design workflows to ensure high-quality output within production timelines.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's operational culture is heavily influenced by the demanding nature of AAA game development. This means a focus on efficiency, quality, and iterative improvement is paramount. The "player-centric" approach suggests a data-driven decision-making framework, which is a hallmark of strong operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position within the operations and creative departments of a game development studio. It requires not only strong design and artistic acumen but also proven leadership and operational management skills to guide a team and influence development strategy. Reporting Structure: The UI/UX Design Manager will likely report to a Creative Director or Head of Art. They will, in turn, manage a team of UX Designers and UI Artists. This structure places them in a key position to influence the user experience and visual direction of game projects. Operations Impact: The operations impact of this role is significant. By leading the UI/UX team, the manager directly influences the player's interaction with the game, impacting usability, engagement, and overall player satisfaction. Effective operational management of the design process contributes to on-time delivery, budget adherence, and the overall quality of the game product, thereby directly impacting revenue and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Potential to specialize further in specific areas of game UI/UX, such as accessibility or player onboarding, and become a subject matter expert.
• Leadership Advancement: Opportunity to advance into higher leadership roles, such as Art Director, Head of UI/UX, or even Executive Producer, overseeing larger creative departments or multiple projects.
• Skill Development: Access to biannual reviews, internal talks, and the annual research credit provides ample opportunities to develop new skills in design, management, and emerging technologies relevant to game development operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations professional, this role represents a significant opportunity to leverage management and process optimization skills within a highly creative and impactful industry. The growth path clearly indicates potential for career advancement within creative leadership and operations management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company is transitioning from a fully remote setup to a hybrid model, with an expectation of 3 days onsite per week in Brighton. This suggests a modern office environment designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and team cohesion. Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is Brighton, England, United Kingdom. The company also has other offices in Albany, NY; Austin, TX; and Cardiff, UK, indicating a global presence but a focus on local teams within each studio.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model is designed to balance the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration. This means the office space will likely be equipped for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and hands-on work.
• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology will be provided, supporting the team's creative and technical needs. The "Fully Equipped Team Lounge, Including our Favourite Consoles and Games" suggests a culture that values downtime and personal interests alongside professional work.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with the UI/UX team, as well as other development disciplines, will be readily available, fostering a collaborative and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: While core hours are likely expected for team collaboration, the company promotes a flexible working environment and a "no crunch" culture. This implies that while project deadlines are important, the operational focus is on sustainable work practices and respecting employees' work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key operational aspect. Candidates should consider their preference for in-office versus remote work and how the 3-day onsite requirement aligns with their personal work style and operational needs for collaboration and team management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume, focusing on relevant leadership experience in UI/UX and game development. Be prepared to articulate your management style and key achievements.
• Portfolio Review & Discussion: You will likely present your portfolio, discussing your design process, leadership contributions, and how you've managed teams and projects. Focus on case studies that demonstrate operational efficiency, problem-solving, and impactful outcomes.
• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with potential team members (UX designers, UI artists) and representatives from other disciplines (e.g., engineering, production) to assess collaboration skills, team fit, and understanding of cross-functional workflows.
• Final Interview: Typically with senior leadership, focusing on strategic thinking, vision for the UI/UX team, and alignment with company values and operational goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Leadership & Operations: Select projects that showcase not only your design eye but also your ability to lead, mentor, and manage design processes and teams effectively. Highlight instances where you improved workflows or resolved operational challenges.
• Structure Case Studies for Impact: For each key project, clearly outline the problem, your approach (including team management and process), the solutions implemented, and the measurable results or impact on the game and players. Emphasize decision-making rationale and how you navigated constraints.
• Demonstrate Process & Collaboration: Show examples of your process documentation, style guides, wireframes, and prototypes. Be ready to discuss how you facilitate collaboration and communicate design intent across different departments.
• Highlight "Operational Resilience": Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated challenging project environments, streamlined communication, or optimized delivery pipelines to ensure project success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You may be given a hypothetical UI/UX problem related to a game concept. Focus on demonstrating your structured approach, player-centric thinking, and ability to articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely.
• Process/Management Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would handle common team management scenarios, resolve conflicts, or optimize a specific design workflow. This tests your operational leadership capabilities.
• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your portfolio and any challenge solutions clearly, concisely, and engagingly, ensuring you can articulate the "why" behind your design and operational decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both creative leadership and operational management skills. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just their design work but also their experience in team management, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, treating their portfolio as a demonstration of their operational capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, or Axure is expected for creating wireframes, prototypes, and user flows.
• UI Art Creation: Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for creating high-fidelity UI art assets, icons, and visual elements.
• Project Management & Collaboration: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar platforms for task management, workflow tracking, and team coordination.
• Communication: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Discord for real-time team communication and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with user analytics platforms (e.g., GameAnalytics, Unity Analytics, or custom solutions) to interpret player behaviour data.
• Experience with reporting tools for summarizing design progress, team performance, and project status for stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design systems integrate with broader product development pipelines and potentially customer feedback loops is beneficial.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) for managing design assets and code integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "engineering tools and frameworks" and the need for seamless integration suggests that familiarity with how design assets interface with game engines and development pipelines is important. While direct coding isn't expected, understanding the technical constraints and workflows of game development is crucial for effective operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• ** Player-Centricity:** A core value that drives all design and operational decisions, ensuring the player experience is always the top priority. This translates to a commitment to user research, feedback integration, and continuous improvement based on player insights.
• Excellence & Quality: A drive to deliver "AAA-quality experiences" means a meticulous approach to design, art, and process. This value encourages attention to detail, high standards, and a commitment to producing polished, high-performing work.
• Collaboration & Transparency: The company fosters an environment where open communication, sharing of ideas, and mutual respect across disciplines are paramount. This value is essential for effective cross-functional teamwork and efficient problem-solving.
• Innovation & Growth: A culture that supports continuous learning, experimentation, and professional development. This encourages team members to explore new techniques, tools, and approaches to elevate both their skills and the company's output.
• Operational Resilience: The ability to adapt, problem-solve, and maintain productivity even in challenging project environments. This value promotes proactive management, efficient resource allocation, and a focus on sustainable workflows.

Collaboration Style:

• The team embraces a highly integrated and collaborative approach, working closely with game designers, engineers, and producers. This involves regular feedback loops, joint problem-solving sessions, and shared ownership of project success.
• Process reviews and feedback exchange are integral to the team's operations, ensuring continuous improvement in design methodologies and team efficiency.
• Knowledge sharing, through internal talks and peer-to-peer learning, is encouraged to foster a collective growth mindset and disseminate best practices across the design and art disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operational Resilience" value is particularly key for operations professionals, indicating a need for adaptability and proactive problem-solving within the team's daily work. The emphasis on collaboration and transparency suggests that strong communication skills and a team-oriented mindset are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: A common challenge in game development is harmonizing ambitious design ideas with the technical limitations and production schedules of game engines and development teams. This role requires strong negotiation and problem-solving skills to find optimal solutions.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Leading client engagements and working with internal teams means navigating a variety of perspectives and requirements. Effectively managing these expectations through clear communication and strategic planning is crucial.
• Maintaining Team Morale and Productivity: In a dynamic industry, ensuring the team remains motivated, focused, and productive, especially during demanding project phases (while avoiding "crunch"), requires strong leadership and operational management.
• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: The game development landscape is constantly changing with new tools, engines, and design methodologies. Staying current and incorporating these advancements into the team's workflow is an ongoing challenge and opportunity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Management Skills: Develop advanced skills in team leadership, project management, process optimization, and stakeholder communication within a creative operations context.
• Industry-Specific Expertise: Deepen knowledge of game development pipelines, player behaviour analytics, and emerging UI/UX trends specific to interactive entertainment.
• Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge: Gain insights into engineering, game design, and production workflows, enhancing your ability to collaborate effectively and understand the broader development ecosystem.
• Leadership Pathways: Opportunities to grow into senior leadership roles, potentially overseeing larger creative teams or contributing to strategic decision-making for future game titles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are directly related to operational management within a complex creative field. Candidates who can demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continuous learning will be well-suited for this role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "How would you approach developing a new UI style guide for a AAA game title, ensuring alignment with both creative vision and technical implementation realities?" (Focus on process, collaboration, and efficiency).
• Team Management & Collaboration: "Describe a situation where you had to motivate a design team through a challenging project phase. What steps did you take to ensure their productivity and morale, and how did you foster collaboration with other departments?" (Highlight leadership, communication, and operational resilience).
• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a key UI element is causing significant usability issues for players in testing. How would you diagnose the problem, involve your team, and implement a solution under pressure?" (Showcase structured problem-solving, player-centricity, and process-driven resolution).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Cultural Fit: "Based on our company values and your understanding of the AAA game industry, how do you see yourself contributing to our culture of innovation and player-centricity?" (Demonstrate research into company values and industry norms).
• Team Dynamics: "How do you foster a positive and productive working relationship with designers, artists, engineers, and producers?" (Prepare examples of your collaborative approach and communication strategies).
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of UI/UX initiatives and the performance of your design team?" (Focus on metrics, feedback loops, and demonstrating ROI for design operations).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Operations: Organize your portfolio by project, clearly outlining the project's goals, your role and responsibilities within the team, the processes you managed or improved, and the final outcome with measurable impact.
• Highlight Leadership Examples: Dedicate sections or specific case studies to demonstrate your team leadership, mentorship, and how you’ve managed design workflows and facilitated cross-functional collaboration.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the impact of your work on player experience, team efficiency, or project success.
• Tell a Story: Frame your presentations as narratives that showcase your journey, your problem-solving approach, and your ability to deliver exceptional results through effective operations and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating not just design skills but also leadership capabilities and an understanding of operational best practices within the game development context. Preparedness for scenario-based questions regarding team management and process optimization will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI/UX Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.ashbyhq.com.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to specifically highlight your experience in UI/UX leadership, team management, and game development operations. Showcase projects where you demonstrated operational resilience and process optimization.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, specific leadership responsibilities, and achievements using strong action verbs and quantifiable results relevant to creative operations.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your management philosophy, your approach to team development, and how you ensure quality and efficiency in design processes. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Rocket Science Group and Atomic Theory, understanding their games, culture, and values. Be prepared to discuss how your operational approach and leadership style align with their strategic goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. All details, particularly regarding salary and specific benefits, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application process.