Landscaping Development Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Landscaping Development Design Manager

Company: NBCUniversal

Location: Bedford, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-10T09:08:54.706

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design, management, and installation of large-scale landscape and area development projects for a new theme park zone, ensuring cohesive thematic integration and emotional resonance. This role requires a strong operational mindset to translate creative visions into tangible, buildable designs.

• Lead a multidisciplinary team, including architects, set designers, and engineers, to seamlessly integrate diverse inputs into comprehensive design packages, with a focus on optimizing the design-to-construction workflow.

• Manage the complete lifecycle of landscape design, from initial concept and construction documents through to bidding, vendor selection, and on-site construction oversight, ensuring adherence to design intent and cost targets.

• Drive the successful execution of area development design, including bid review, contractor negotiation, and daily on-site management to guarantee the precise installation of landscape and hardscape elements.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and international Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) staff to uphold quality control and ensure design feasibility across all project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job title is "Landscaping Development Design Manager," its core responsibilities, particularly the emphasis on project management, multidisciplinary team leadership, construction oversight, and integration with operational partners, strongly indicate a critical role within a broader GTM (Go-to-Market) or project development operations framework. This role focuses on the operational execution of design and development for a large-scale project, aligning with the strategic objectives of bringing new attractions to market.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end design and development process for outdoor spaces within a new theme park zone, ensuring the creation of immersive environments that evoke emotion and spark imagination.

• Direct the creation of detailed site plans, planting schemes, hardscape designs, irrigation, drainage, and grading plans, culminating in comprehensive construction documents.

• Facilitate seamless integration of design elements by collaborating with architects, set designers, operational partners, civil designers, and engineers, ensuring all technical and aesthetic requirements are met.

• Present and articulate design concepts effectively to a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, creative directors, and external consultants, to gain buy-in and validate design direction.

• Manage the construction document phase, including the bidding process, by coordinating closely with the project team, operations, consultants, and project management staff to ensure a smooth transition from design to construction.

• Review and manage shop drawings and design integrations from various vendors, ensuring alignment with the overall project vision and technical specifications.

• Lead the construction phase of area development design, encompassing bid review and negotiation, contractor buyout, and diligent on-site management of contractors and sub-vendors to guarantee quality and adherence to schedule.

• Conduct first article and mockup program reviews to validate design elements and installation quality before full-scale implementation.

• Work under the strategic direction of senior leadership, including the Park-Wide Senior Manager, Planning & Area Development Design, Senior Architecture and Engineering Manager, Executive Land Director, and Creative Director, to ensure design intent and feasibility are maintained throughout all project phases.

• Contribute to establishing and maintaining common cost and schedule goals within the project team environment, emphasizing operational efficiency and financial accountability.

• Interface with Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) International staff, providing ongoing quality control and ensuring global standards are met for projects.

• Actively participate in and uphold Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) responsibilities by adhering to established UDX policies, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities described go beyond traditional design and delve deeply into project management, vendor relations, construction oversight, and cross-functional operational integration. This suggests the role requires a strong understanding of project lifecycle management, budget control, and the operational nuances of bringing a large-scale entertainment project to fruition.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or a related field is required.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

Experience:

• Extensive relevant landscape architecture and planning experience, with a significant focus on international resort and theme park development, is essential. This implies a need for experience in complex, large-scale projects with global operational considerations.

• Demonstrated experience in managing the design and construction phases of large-scale landscaping and area development projects.

• Proven track record of leading and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including architects, engineers, set designers, and operational partners.

Required Skills:

• Landscape Architecture & Site Planning: Deep understanding of landscape design principles, site analysis, master planning, planting schemes, hardscape design, irrigation, and drainage/grading.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex, large-scale projects from concept through to completion, including scope definition, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.

• Thematic Design Integration: Skill in developing and executing designs that align with overarching themes and create immersive guest experiences, particularly within entertainment and resort environments.

• Design Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in industry-standard design and modeling software, including AutoCAD, REVIT, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and SketchUp.

Preferred Skills:

• Construction Management: Familiarity with construction processes, bid management, contract negotiation, and on-site supervision.

• Urban Planning & Development: Knowledge of urban design principles and their application in large-scale development projects.

• International Project Experience: Experience working on projects in international markets, understanding cultural nuances and regulatory differences.

• Storytelling & Visualization: Exceptional ability to communicate design intent through compelling visual presentations and narratives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or Urban Planning, coupled with a preference for a Master's and professional licensure, highlights the technical depth expected. The emphasis on extensive international resort and theme park development experience, alongside proficiency in specific design software and strong visualization/storytelling skills, points to a role that blends creative design with rigorous operational execution and stakeholder engagement. The AI-derived experience level of "10+" years aligns with these advanced requirements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Thematic Design Case Studies: Showcase