Product Design Manager

ZipRecruiter; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Zedwell, une marque d'hospitalité urbaine en pleine croissance, recherche un Design Product Manager pour établir et appliquer des normes de design reconnues à travers ses propriétés. Ce rôle impliquera la coordination de projets, la collaboration avec des architectes et la garantie de la cohérence de la marque lors des nouvelles ouvertures. Idéal pour un professionnel avec une solide expérience en gestion de design dans le secteur de l'hospitalité, capable de allier esthétique et pratiques opérationnelles.

Qualifications

• 5-10 ans d'expérience en gestion de design d'hospitalité.
• Expérience avec le développement de normes de design à l'échelle de plusieurs sites.
• Compréhension des besoins de circulation dans les hôtels et de la psychologie des clients.

Responsibilities

• Développer et maintenir le Manuel de Design & Build de Zedwell.
• Travailler en étroite collaboration avec l'équipe de construction interne et les designers externes.
• Assurer que les décisions de design soutiennent l'efficacité opérationnelle et le confort des clients.

Skills

Design Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Outcome Focused

Job description

Job Description

Zedwell is a fast-growing, urban hospitality brand built around calm, clarity, and sleep. We create minimalist, soundproofed, tech-enabled spaces in the heart of chaotic cities — offering a clear alternative to over-complicated hospitality.

With four operational sites and eleven more in the pipeline, Zedwell is scaling rapidly. To ensure our unique concept remains consistent across all properties, we are hiring a Design Product Manager to own and implement the design and build standards that make Zedwell recognisable and effective — aesthetically, operationally, and emotionally.

Role Purpose

The Design Product Manager will own Zedwell’s end-to-end design standards, overseeing how our brand is translated into spatial, material, and functional decisions — across architecture, interiors, room layouts, signage, fixtures, and operational finishes.

This is a cross-functional, implementation-focused role — not a theoretical one. You’ll ensure every new Zedwell opening reflects the brand's design DNA while being cost-efficient, buildable, and operationally smart.

You’ll sit between design intent and construction delivery — collaborating with internal and external architects, interior designers, project managers, and hotel operators.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and Maintain Zedwell Design & Build Standards

• Lead the creation and evolution of the Zedwell Design & Build Manual — covering everything from room typologies and lighting spec to lobby flow, back-of-house design, soundproofing, and sleep ergonomics.
• Ensure standards are aligned with brand values, operational needs, cost constraints, and guest experience priorities.

2. Coordinate Across Projects and Stakeholders

• Work closely with the in-house construction team and external architects/interior designers to ensure consistent application of standards during design development and build phases.
• Be the brand’s design gatekeeper through all stages: feasibility, concept, tender, construction, and post-opening.

3. Balance Aesthetic Intent with Practical Execution

• Make sure design decisions support:
• Zedwell’s calming minimalist look and feel
• Operational efficiency (cleaning, storage, circulation)
• Guest comfort (soundproofing, light control, room ergonomics)
• Work with the Head of Ops and Tech Product Manager to refine layouts, wayfinding, and guest journeys.

4. Own FF&E, OS&E and Material Specifications

• Maintain a master FF&E and OS&E spec library — including approved suppliers, fixtures, hardware, and finishes.
• Ensure procurement aligns with brand quality, durability, and budget constraints — while avoiding deviation or value engineering that dilutes the brand.

5. Monitor Delivery and Feedback Loops

• Conduct post-opening reviews with Operations to assess how design performs in reality.
• Use guest feedback, maintenance data, and team input to evolve standards for future openings.
• Act as final design sign-off before each opening to ensure brand consistency.

What We’re Looking For

Experience

5–10 years in hospitality design management, architecture, or interior design implementation

Design System Builder

Has developed or maintained brand-level design and build standards across multi-site environments

Cross-Functional Collaborator

Comfortable working with architects, GCs, procurement, and ops teams

Hospitality-Savvy

Understands hotel circulation, housekeeping needs, guest psychology, and back-of-house requirements

Detail-Obsessed

Can spot inconsistencies in layout, materials, finishes, lighting — and push for correction

Outcome-Focused

Pragmatic and delivery-driven — gets things built, not just visualised

What Success Looks Like in 6 Months

• A complete, practical Zedwell Design & Build Manual is created and adopted across all projects
• All live construction projects are being reviewed, aligned, and supported by this role
• All new openings deliver a consistent guest-facing and operational design
• A central FF&E and OS&E library is in use, with approved suppliers
• Feedback loops with Ops and Brand are embedded to evolve design standards continuously