Senior Design Manager (Perm and FTC)

Carnival UK (P&O Cruises & Cunard); Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Hybrid work up to 2 days from home

Minimum 25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Private medical and dental insurance

Job summary

Carnival UK is seeking a Senior Design Manager to lead the hotel design delivery for P&O Cruises and Cunard, guiding guest-facing environments across newbuilds and refurbishments with a clear creative and commercial path.

You will develop and mentor a high‑performing design team, collaborate with brand, finance and shipyards, and ensure design integrity from concept through procurement to onboard installation. The role offers hybrid working up to two days from home and a permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in interior design (or related field).
• Extensive hands-on design experience with team leadership.
• Experience delivering large interior and architectural hospitality projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end hotel design delivery across newbuilds and refurbishments.
• Establish design governance and QA across concept to technical design.
• Protect design integrity through procurement, construction and installation.
• Lead and develop the hotel design team and manage external consultancies.

Skills

Design leadership

Interior design

Hospitality design

Budget management

Onsite installation

Issue resolution

Education

Interior design degree

Job description

Job Description

Carnival UK is in search of a Senior Design Manager, who is crucial in supporting our direction and nurturing a high-performing team.

Role Overview

The hotel design team leads the design of guest-facing environments across newbuild and refurbishment projects for P&O Cruises and Cunard. Working with Brand, Finance, Procurement, Fleet, Operations, shipyards and external design partners, the team ensures creative ambition is translated into commercially viable, operationally effective and technically deliverable spaces.

Key accountabilities

• Lead end-to-end hotel design delivery across newbuild and refurbishment projects, balancing brand identity, guest experience, cost and operational requirements.
• Establish robust design governance and quality assurance across concept, developed and technical design stages.
• Protect design integrity through procurement, construction and onboard installation, resolving issues with shipyards, suppliers and internal teams.
• Lead and develop the hotel design team while managing external design consultancies and creative partners.

Positioned within our internal structure from CUK15 (entry level) to CUK1 (Brand President), this role is classified as a CUK06, offered as a full-time position, on a permanent basis. We offer hybrid work including up to two days from home.

We also have a 12month FTC opportunity available.

Requirements: Your Expertise and Leadership

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a suitable interior design discipline.
• Extensive hands-on design experience, including experience leading and developing a design team.
• Experience delivering large-scale interior, multi-use design and architectural projects for major hospitality brands.
• Strong budget and cost management capability, alongside onsite installation experience and the ability to resolve delivery issues.

About You: A Catalyst for Change

We believe that diversity enriches our team. We're interested in candidates who:

• Balance creative ambition with commercial, technical, operational and whole-of-life considerations.
• Build inclusive, high-performing teams through clear expectations, coaching and constructive feedback.
• Influence senior stakeholders and external partners around a clear and deliverable design vision.
• Make evidence-led decisions that protect design quality, guest value, sustainability and long-term asset performance.

Why Join Us?

Working with us is about more than a job. It's about creating unforgettable holiday happiness for our guests and a fulfilling career for you.

Read our employee experience guide to learn more about life as a Carnival UK colleague here.

Our benefits package reflects our commitment to your wellbeing:

• Employee Discounted Cruising plus Friends and Family offers
• Annual bonus
• A friendly welcome with help settling in
• Regular office events including live entertainment, lifestyle events and charity partner fundraisers
• Extensive learning and development opportunities
• Minimum 25 days leave, bank holiday allowance and holiday trading scheme
• Employee-led networks
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing programmes
• Recognition scheme with prizes and awards
• Contributory Defined Contribution Pension scheme
• Company paid private medical and dental insurance and health assessment
• In-house Occupational Health help and access to digital GP
• Life Assurance
• Parental and adoption leave
• Employee Shares Plan
• Electric Car and Cycle to Work schemes
• Onsite restaurant offering range of healthy cooked and grab and go meals
• Discounted retail and leisure via discounts portal

#CUK

#Job Functions: Design; Art/Creative; Management