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Job Title: Senior Design Manager – Studio Tours Shanghai - OpCo

Reports to: Construction Project Director (China-based)

Location: Shanghai, China

Job Summary

The Senior Design Manager will oversee and coordinate the scenic theming, interior fit-out, and overall design execution for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Shanghai project. The Design Manager will collaborate closely with project teams, client team, 3rd party consultants, LDI etc. to ensure the Studio Tour meets the client’s requirements. This role will ensure that all architectural, scenic, and thematic elements align with the creative vision while integrating seamlessly with the broader technical, operational, and construction requirements.

This project is supported by two key design consultancies: Tait and Lumsden. Tait is responsible for the design and coordination of all show-related elements, including AV, media, special effects, and interactive installations, ensuring these components are seamlessly integrated into the overall experience. Lumsden is leading the design of Food & Beverage (F&B) and Retail areas, ensuring an immersive and high-quality guest experience in these commercial spaces. Both consultancies will play an active role during the build phase, working closely with the internal project team, contractors, and vendors to oversee the successful execution of their respective areas. The role will require close collaboration with these consultancies to ensure alignment with project schedules, construction milestones, and quality expectations.

The Senior Design Manager will primarily focus on the GC2 Decoration Package, ensuring the highest standards in scenic fabrication, interior finishes, and immersive design. Additionally, this role will have a monitoring and coordination function for the landlord-managed GC1 base building works, ensuring that all foundational infrastructure supports the project’s design intent.

While this role is responsible for spatial and scenic design elements, it will work closely with our appointed designers and the Show Production Manager, who will oversee show-specific components such as media, audio-visual, special effects, and interactive elements. The Senior Design Manager and Show Production Manager will collaborate to ensure a fully integrated experience.

This is a critical role for a professional with a strong background in themed environments, scenic fabrication, interior design, and retail fit-out, capable of bridging the gap between creative vision and technical execution.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design Coordination & Integration

• Working with our specialist design teams, oversee the development and execution of scenic and interior design elements of the Studio Tour. Actively coordinate with Tait and Lumsden to ensure the successful realisation of their design packages.
• Manage the GC2 Decoration Package, ensuring scenic theming, finishes, and fit outs align with the creative vision and operational needs.
• Coordinate with the landlord’s GC1 base building works, ensuring structural and infrastructure elements integrate smoothly with GC2 design components.
• Work closely with TAIT, our specialist design teams and the Show Production Manager to ensure the smooth integration of AV, show elements, special effects, and interactive technologies into the overall spatial and scenic design.
• Engage with key stakeholders and client team to ensure their needs are understood and reflected in the design.
• Facilitate collaboration between architecture, interiors, scenic fabrication, and technical teams.
• Work closely with Lumsden on F&B and Retail spatial design and fit-out, ensuring seamless integration into the overall guest experience.
• Support Tait in show-related design integration to align scenic and thematic elements with technical show requirements.
• Ensure both consultancies are actively involved in design reviews, construction coordination, and quality assurance processes.

2. Stakeholder & Consultant Management

• Act as the key liaison between internal creative teams, external design consultants, scenic fabricators, and fit-out contractors.
• Work closely with TAIT and Lumsden, scenic vendors, LDI’s, and construction teams to ensure designs are feasible, buildable, and cost-effective.
• Participate in regular design and technical review meetings, ensuring alignment between creative, construction, and operational teams. Review and comment on design deliverables to ensure correct interpretation of client’s requirements.
• Manage the approval process for design packages, including prototypes, mock-ups, and material samples.
• Ensure the design has adequate provision for maintenance and collaboration over the life of the assets.

3. Construction & Fit-Out Oversight

• Support the Construction Manager in ensuring the seamless execution of scenic and interior design elements on-site.
• Conduct regular site inspections to maintain design integrity and address any challenges during installation.
• Coordinate with scenic and fit-out contractors to resolve design conflicts, material substitutions, and fabrication challenges.
• Ensure that all scenic and thematic elements meet quality expectations and are installed as per design intent.

4. Budget, Schedule & Quality Control

• Ensure all design elements are delivered on time and within budget, balancing creative ambition with financial and logistical constraints.
• Participate the procurement and approval process for scenic materials, finishes, and fabricated elements.
• Implement QA/QC processes to uphold the highest standards in scenic and interior fit outs.
• Work closely with our specialist designers and Show Production Manager to manage design changes related to show integration, ensuring minimal impact on schedule and cost.

5. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure all scenic and interior fit-out designs comply with local building codes, fire regulations, and safety standards.
• Work with compliance teams to secure necessary permits and approvals for scenic and fit-out installations.
• Address any design-related regulatory challenges and propose compliant solutions.

Collaboration with the Show Production Manager

• Align spatial and scenic designs with show-related components such as AV, projection, media, and special effects.
• Ensure technical infrastructure within scenic and interior designs can support required show elements.
• Coordinate installation timelines to ensure seamless integration between scenic fit-outs and show production elements.
• Work together to resolve conflicts between creative intent, scenic installation, and technical feasibility.

Qualifications & Experience

University Degrees from Architectural, Structural or other relevant areas of study.

Proven Experience

over 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry, and 8+ years in design management for similar standards of themed entertainment, hospitality, retail, or large-scale experiential projects in China.

Creative & Technical Expertise

Strong background in scenic theming, interior fit-outs, retail environments, and immersive design.

Project Leadership

Experience managing multi-disciplinary design teams, scenic fabricators, and fit-out contractors.

Themed Experience Design

Familiarity with theme park, studio tour, or museum-style installations is a strong plus.

Technical Knowledge

Understanding of materials, fabrication techniques, finishes, AV integration, and construction methodologies.

Software Proficiency

Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and BIM coordination tools.

Regulatory Knowledge

Understanding of China’s local building codes and permitting processes.

Communication Skills

Proficiency in English and Mandarin is mandatory.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

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