Junior Design Manager (all genders) - Retail Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Design Manager (all genders) - Retail Design

Company: LIGANOVA I Karriere

Location: Berlin, Germany

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary (initially one year)

Category: Retail Design Operations / Brand Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-27

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the technical development and execution of creative concepts into global retail campaigns, focusing on pop-ups and window displays.

• Manage material selection, technical drawings, and production documentation to ensure projects adhere to budget and timeline constraints.

• Collaborate closely with prototyping, production, and client-facing teams to ensure seamless project delivery.

• Contribute to the installation and setup of retail campaign elements, offering hands-on support.

• Drive innovation and sustainability in retail marketing initiatives, aligning with LIGANOVA's core values.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Junior Design Manager," has significant operational responsibilities within the retail marketing and design execution lifecycle. It bridges creative concept translation with tangible production and installation, requiring a strong understanding of project management and technical execution within a marketing context. The temporary nature suggests a project-based need or a probationary period.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Translate creative concepts into technically feasible and sustainable global retail campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and impact.

• Manage the end-to-end technical implementation of pop-ups and window campaigns, from initial design to final setup.

• Select appropriate materials and oversee the creation of detailed technical drawings and comprehensive production documentation.

• Ensure all design and production activities strictly adhere to defined budget parameters and project timelines, maintaining meticulous financial oversight.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including prototyping, production, and client management, to facilitate smooth project workflows.

• Provide direct support during the installation and setup phases of retail campaigns, ensuring high-quality execution on-site.

• Actively contribute to the selection of materials, considering aesthetic, functional, and sustainability criteria.

• Support the team in the meticulous planning and execution of all campaign-related installations and build-outs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of design execution and project management, focusing on the operational aspects of bringing retail campaigns to life. This includes detailed documentation, budget adherence, and hands-on support, which are critical for successful GTM (Go-To-Market) operations in the retail space.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Interior Design, or a closely related field, with a focus on prototyping, execution planning, and production.

Experience: 0-2 years of professional experience in 3D design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application and technical execution.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated passion for design, innovation, and emerging technological trends in the retail and marketing space.

• Structured and hands-on approach to project execution and problem-solving.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both German and English, enabling clear stakeholder engagement.

• Proficiency in at least one CAD software program, with a preference for Rhino, SolidWorks, or Sketch-Up.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks, coupled with a meticulous attention to detail.

• Strong interest in craftsmanship, innovative technologies, and sustainable practices.

• Experience in supporting installations and on-site build-ups. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in retail design or campaign execution.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools.

• Understanding of material properties and their application in retail environments.

• Knowledge of sustainability principles in design and production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a need for practical, technical design skills combined with strong interpersonal and organizational capabilities. The emphasis on CAD proficiency and hands-on experience suggests a role that is deeply involved in the tangible aspects of design implementation, aligning with operational execution in a design context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 projects demonstrating the transition from creative concept to technical execution in a 3D or retail design context.

• Include examples of technical drawings, production documentation, or material specifications used in past projects.

• Highlight projects where budget and timeline management were critical factors, explaining your role and any successful outcomes.

• Demonstrate experience with CAD software through visual representations of models or technical renderings.

• Present case studies that illustrate problem-solving, particularly in relation to technical implementation challenges or material selection. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating or adhering to detailed production documentation for design projects.

• Examples of workflow management in design execution, illustrating how concepts were translated into actionable production plans.

• Documentation showcasing material selection processes, including rationale and considerations for sustainability and cost.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on technical development and production, a portfolio that clearly articulates the candidate's ability to manage the practical, execution-oriented aspects of design projects is crucial. This includes demonstrating technical drawing skills, documentation capabilities, and an understanding of production constraints.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the Junior level, location in Berlin, and temporary nature of the role, a competitive salary range for a Junior Design Manager in Germany typically falls between €38,000 - €48,000 annually. This estimate considers the specific responsibilities, required skills, and the current market rate for similar positions in the Berlin area.

Benefits:

• Inclusive and diverse company culture that celebrates uniqueness.

• Opportunities to contribute to sustainability initiatives and green transformation projects.

• International networking and collaboration across LIGANOVA's offices in Stuttgart, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

• Professional development within a leading agency for brand and retail marketing.

• Exposure to innovative projects and cutting-edge design and retail trends.

Working Hours: The role is based on a standard German work week, typically 40 hours per week. While the job is on-site, there may be flexibility around start and end times depending on project needs and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimate is based on general industry benchmarks for junior roles in Germany, specifically in a major city like Berlin. The temporary nature might influence the final offer, and benefits are derived from the company's stated values and culture points.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Brand & Retail Marketing, Advertising & Marketing Services. LIGANOVA operates at the intersection of physical and digital spaces, focusing on creating seamless brand and product interactions. The company emphasizes future-oriented, sustainable innovations and staying ahead of the zeitgeist.

Company Size: LIGANOVA has grown its offices in Stuttgart, Berlin, and Amsterdam into full branches, indicating a medium to large agency size with a distributed workforce. This suggests a dynamic environment with opportunities for cross-unit collaboration.

Founded: Established three decades ago, LIGANOVA has a long-standing reputation and extensive experience, trusted by influential global companies and brands. This history implies a foundation of expertise and a proven track record in the industry.

Team Structure:

• The role is within "Brittas Team," suggesting a defined functional unit or project team.

• The team structure appears to be fluid and international, with less emphasis on rigid hierarchies and more on cross-unit networking and exchange between Stuttgart, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

• Collaboration is likely interdisciplinary, involving close interaction with prototyping, production, and client management specialists. Methodology:

• "Think always 'next'": A forward-thinking approach, constantly seeking innovative solutions and anticipating future trends.

• Sustainability Focus: A strong commitment to sustainable innovations, reflected in initiatives like the "Green Board" and "Green Campaign Cycle," guiding clients towards green transformation.

• Human-Brand-Product Interaction: A core philosophy centered on creating engaging experiences across physical and digital realms.

• Agile Collaboration: Encouragement of regular exchange and networking across different units, moving away from rigid team structures.

Company Website: https://liganova.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: LIGANOVA positions itself as a forward-thinking, innovative, and sustainability-conscious agency. The culture emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and international collaboration. The operations aspect of this role is embedded within a creative agency setting, requiring adaptability and a focus on execution within a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Junior Design Manager" role is positioned at an entry to early-career level within the operations of retail design and brand marketing. It provides foundational experience in translating creative ideas into tangible, executed campaigns, focusing on the technical and production aspects. The scope is project-specific, supporting senior team members and managing defined tasks within larger campaign initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to "Brittas Team" and likely to a senior manager or team lead within that unit. There will be frequent interaction with various internal departments (prototyping, production) and external stakeholders (clients).

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to the successful and efficient execution of retail campaigns. By ensuring technical feasibility, managing production documentation, and supporting installations, the Junior Design Manager contributes to the tangible representation of brand strategies in physical retail spaces, influencing customer perception and brand experience. This operational efficiency directly supports the marketing team's Go-To-Market objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deep expertise in technical design execution, material science, and production management within the retail marketing sector.

• Project Management Acumen: Gain hands-on experience in managing project timelines, budgets, and cross-functional dependencies, potentially leading to a dedicated Project Management role.

• Sustainability Integration: Become proficient in applying and driving sustainable practices in campaign design and execution, a growing area of expertise.

• Client Interaction: Progress to managing client relationships and acting as a primary point of contact for design execution aspects.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and growth, opportunities may arise to lead smaller projects or mentor future junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role is likely within the operational execution side of brand and retail marketing. Progression would involve taking on more complex projects, managing larger budgets, and potentially leading execution teams or moving into more senior project management or design production roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at the Berlin office. LIGANOVA fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture, suggesting the office environment is designed to encourage teamwork and idea exchange. The company's emphasis on internationality and networking implies a dynamic and modern workspace.

Office Location(s): Potsdamerstr. 77-79, 10785 Berlin, Germany. This location is in a central area of Berlin, likely offering good accessibility via public transport.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: Expect an environment where open communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are encouraged, fostering a creative exchange with colleagues from prototyping, production, and other design-related functions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (CAD tools like Rhino, SolidWorks, Sketch-Up) and potentially physical prototyping resources will be available to support project execution.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with team members, project leads, and potentially client representatives, facilitating a hands-on and communicative work style.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected, with an on-site presence required. While core hours will likely be defined, the nature of campaign execution might occasionally require flexibility to meet project deadlines or installation schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like Berlin, combined with a collaborative culture, suggests a dynamic and interactive work environment typical of creative agencies. The focus is on enabling efficient project execution through physical presence and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, CV, and portfolio to assess alignment with the Junior Design Manager role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: An opportunity to walk through your portfolio, highlighting specific projects that demonstrate your technical design skills, production documentation experience, and ability to translate concepts into reality. Be prepared to discuss your role, challenges, and solutions.

• Technical & Behavioral Interview: Questions will likely cover your CAD proficiency, understanding of materials, experience with production processes, and how you handle budget/timeline constraints. Behavioral questions will assess your communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving approach, and passion for design and sustainability.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An interaction with potential team members or the hiring manager to gauge your cultural alignment with LIGANOVA's values of diversity, innovation, and sustainability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your technical execution, production documentation, and problem-solving skills relevant to retail campaigns.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process, technical challenges faced, your solutions (especially regarding materials and production), and the final outcome. Include visuals of technical drawings, renderings, or even photos of executed projects.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention any impact on budget adherence, timeline efficiency, or successful installation outcomes.

• Highlight CAD Proficiency: Be ready to demonstrate your skills with Rhino, SolidWorks, or Sketch-Up, perhaps by showing specific modeling techniques or technical outputs.

• Address Sustainability: If applicable, highlight any projects where sustainability was a key consideration in material selection or production.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Challenge: You might be asked to briefly sketch a solution for a given retail display concept or to explain the production considerations for a specific design element.

• Process Walkthrough: Be prepared to explain how you would approach creating production documentation for a pop-up display, from concept to final drawings.

• Material Selection Scenario: You could be presented with a design brief and asked to suggest suitable materials, justifying your choices based on cost, durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh practical skills and the ability to execute designs. A strong, visually-driven portfolio that clearly demonstrates technical capability and an understanding of the production lifecycle is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency in at least one of the following is essential: Rhino, SolidWorks, or Sketch-Up. The ability to create detailed 3D models and technical drawings is key.

• Design & Visualization Software: Familiarity with tools for rendering and creating visual presentations (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator) would be beneficial for translating concepts.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design execution impacts project budgets and timelines will require tracking and reporting on these aspects. Basic spreadsheet proficiency (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) for budget tracking is likely expected. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core technical design execution, but understanding how project management tools interface with CRM or project management platforms could be advantageous for understanding workflow integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is proficiency in specific CAD software. The emphasis is on the practical application of these tools for technical drawing and production documentation rather than complex data analysis or CRM management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies and creative solutions in retail marketing and design execution.

• Sustainability: Commitment to environmentally conscious practices in material selection and production processes.

• Collaboration: A belief in working together across disciplines and locations to achieve common goals.

• Excellence & Detail: A high standard for quality in execution, with a meticulous approach to technical drawings and production documentation.

• Inclusivity: A culture that values diversity and ensures everyone feels welcome and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Interdisciplinary: Open to working closely with prototyping specialists, production managers, and client service teams, fostering a holistic approach to campaign delivery.

• Communicative: Encourages clear and frequent communication, both internally and externally, to ensure alignment and resolve issues promptly.

• Hands-on & Supportive: A willingness to contribute actively to installations and build-ups, supporting team members to achieve project success.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that likely embraces constructive feedback for continuous improvement of processes and designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture at LIGANOVA is built around forward-thinking, collaboration, and a strong ethical compass (sustainability, diversity). Operations professionals in this environment need to be adaptable, team-oriented, and committed to high-quality execution that aligns with these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Creative and Technical: Effectively translating abstract creative concepts into concrete, producible designs that meet technical, budget, and timeline constraints.

• Material Sourcing & Sustainability: Navigating the complexities of selecting appropriate materials that balance cost, durability, aesthetic, and environmental impact.

• Global Campaign Execution: Ensuring consistency and feasibility of designs across different markets or locations for global retail campaigns.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the dynamic nature of agency work, where project demands and timelines can shift rapidly.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced CAD & Design Software: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized design software or learn new tools relevant to retail design and fabrication.

• Project Management Skills: Gaining practical experience in managing project lifecycles, client interactions, and resource allocation.

• Sustainability in Design: Developing a specialized understanding of eco-friendly materials, production methods, and sustainable design principles within the marketing context.

• Retail Marketing Trends: Staying abreast of the latest innovations in brand activations, pop-up experiences, and retail marketing strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for roles that bridge creative ideation with operational execution. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing specialized skills within the retail marketing and design operations domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a creative brief into technical specifications. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, CAD, and problem-solving).

• "How do you approach material selection for a retail display, considering factors like budget, durability, aesthetics, and sustainability?" (Demonstrate practical knowledge and values alignment).

• "Walk us through your process for creating production documentation for a 3D object or installation." (Showcase your organizational and technical drawing skills).

• "Imagine a client requests a pop-up display concept that you believe is technically challenging or over budget. How would you respond?" (Assess communication, negotiation, and problem-solving). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about LIGANOVA's approach to brand and retail marketing, particularly our focus on sustainability and innovation?" (Research the company website and values).

• "How do you see yourself contributing to our diverse and inclusive culture?" (Reflect on your collaborative style and appreciation for diversity).

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate with team members on projects." (Align with LIGANOVA's collaborative and international ethos). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your approach, the technical execution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Technical Detail: Spend time on the technical drawings, material choices, and production considerations. Show, don't just tell, your CAD skills.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly explain the steps you took from concept to completion, emphasizing any problem-solving or decision-making processes.

• Quantify Where Possible: Mention any efficiencies gained, budget adherence, or successful installations.

• Be Enthusiastic: Show your passion for design, innovation, and the retail space.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a practical understanding of design execution, technical skills, and an alignment with LIGANOVA's innovative and sustainable values. The portfolio is your primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the LIGANOVA jobs portal.

• Customize Your CV: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in 3D design, technical drawing, production documentation, and any relevant CAD software proficiency. Use keywords from the job description such as "retail design," "technical implementation," "production documentation," and "sustainability."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest projects that demonstrate your ability to translate creative concepts into executable designs. Ensure it includes examples of technical drawings, material considerations, and ideally, the final executed product or installation. Prepare to present your portfolio clearly and concisely.

• Prepare for Technical Questions: Brush up on your CAD software skills and be ready to discuss material properties, production processes, and budget/timeline management. Practice explaining your design decisions and problem-solving approaches.

• Research LIGANOVA: Understand the company's mission, values (especially sustainability and innovation), and recent campaigns. Be prepared to articulate why you are a good fit for their culture and approach to brand and retail marketing.

⚠️ 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.