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About the Role

The Design Manager is responsible for ensuring the studio runs efficiently, design output meets quality standards, and projects are delivered on time and to brief. This role sits at the intersection of creative production and project management, owning the day-to-day traffic of creative requests and deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Own the studio traffic system, managing the intake, prioritisation, and scheduling of all creative briefs.
• Maintain an up-to-date overview of active projects, deadlines, and resource allocation.
• Brief in work accurately with account and marketing teams, ensuring correct scoping before studio entry.
• Anticipate capacity pressures and flag resource conflicts early, escalating when required.
• Manage freelance and supplier relationships to flex studio capacity during peak periods.
• Produce design work across a range of formats including social content, campaign assets, event branding, presentation design, OOH, print and digital.
• Review and quality-check all creative output before it leaves the studio.
• Maintain brand consistency across all client accounts.
• Manage the preparation and trafficking of final artwork files for print, digital, and environmental use.
• Oversee version control and file management across the studio.
• Track all jobs from brief through to final delivery, managing timelines and communicating progress.
• Identify and resolve production issues before they impact delivery.
• Manage the review and approval process for creative work, coordinating feedback rounds.
• Produce clear status reports and delivery schedules.
• Ensure all project documentation is accurate, complete, and properly filed.
• Collaborate with wider teams to manage workload, set realistic timelines, and allocate creative capacity.
• Communicate project status, risks, and changes proactively with internal teams.
• Support the Art Director and Senior Client Director in preparing and presenting work.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with external suppliers.
• Support and coordinate junior members of the creative team, managing their workload and processes.
• Contribute actively to the studio's creative culture.
• Stay current with design trends, production techniques, and tools relevant to sport, events, and brand marketing.
• Contribute to internal creative reviews and maintain the quality of the agency's output.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in a design or studio management role, with experience in design production and traffic/workflow coordination.
• Solid design skills with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.
• Proven experience managing studio traffic and creative project delivery in a fast-paced agency environment.
• Strong organisational skills with a methodical approach to managing multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing artwork preparation and file management for print, digital, and large-format production.
• Excellent communication skills - clear, direct, and confident.
• A high standard of personal output combined with a drive to maintain quality standards across the work of others.
• Experience working with or managing freelance designers, external suppliers, and production partners.
• Strong interest in the sports and entertainment industry.
• Experience in a sport, events, or entertainment marketing environment.
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Monday.com, Asana, or equivalent.
• Motion graphics or video editing capability: After Effects, Premiere Pro.
• Experience working with government entities, rights holders, or major event organisers in the GCC region.
• Understanding of the UAE and wider Middle East market, including cultural sensitivities and regional production requirements.

Skills

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• InDesign
• Project Management
• Workflow Coordination
• Traffic Management
• Design Production
• File Management
• Communication
• Organisation
• After Effects
• Premiere Pro

Location

• Middle East

Work Type

• Full-time

Experience Level

• 4+ years

About the Company

• M+C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment Middle East is a creative agency focused on strategic and effective creativity in the region.
• The agency has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, managing local and global brands across the Middle East and Europe.
• Their creative philosophy is 'Brutal Simplicity of Thought', emphasizing simple ideas that are quick to grasp and memorable.
• M+C Saatchi Group is a global creative federation operating in 23 countries, with circa 2,500 employees worldwide.
• The group focuses on creating and curating Cultural Power for clients by connecting expertise in creativity, data, and technology.
• Their work is guided by 'Brutal Simplicity of Thought' and 'Diversity of Thought'.