Working with the Team Principal and Head of Yacht Design, RWD is looking for an exceptional Yacht Designer & Project Manager to take responsibility of their projects, managing both the internal and external team to ensure they are delivered on time, in budget and to an exceptional standard. This will include managing, designing, and helping to realise the creatives’ vision, in line with RWD’s ambition to be the most inspiring superyacht studio in the world.
Idyllically located in the New Forest, the role is based at our fast-paced yacht design studio where work is demanding and rewarding in equal measures. The status of this position reflects significant industry experience of delivering such projects and using this knowledge to develop the broader team which is a core responsibility. Being willing and able to travel internationally to meet global clients and shipyards is an essential part of this role and involves managing yacht design projects from conception through to delivery, collaborating closely with internal teams and external stakeholders. Day-to-day responsibilities include producing detailed construction drawings, space planning, overseeing submittals, and ensuring that projects adhere to deadlines, quality standards, client expectations and requires close coordination with architects, builders, and other key partners to bring innovative yacht designs to fruition.
Key Responsibilities & Tasks
* Create and review RWD project planning and work schedule, ensuring it is synchronised with project build schedule and all RWD information is supplied on time
* Liaise, co-ordinate, and correspond with the project team i.e. shipyard, client manager, Captain, naval architects, and sub-contractors
* Actively manage the client relationship, identifying issues that could affect it and know how to communicate such issues effectively to the Client and when to escalate the issue to the Team Principal/HYD/MD/Board
* Effectively communicate and translate the interior or exterior design information to the Client and Shipyard
* Prepare for and represent RWD at project meetings, including overseas visits, with or without a Director present
* Reporting to the Team Principal at regular intervals on progress of tasks and update with project work both internally and at the shipyard
* Working closely with the Head of Finance to track project expenses and communicate progress on deliverables to ensure accurate invoicing
* Work with Team Principal to define the scope and budget for both existing and potential client projects
* Identify opportunities to develop existing client business, providing added value advice and recommendations
* Work with the Project Coordinators to share resource appropriately across all projects
* Keep up to date with latest industry news and developments
* Oversee and hold responsibility for RWD resource time/cost being spent on projects, with ability to flag the moment they become out of step with project plan
* Design the General Arrangement plans of existing projects and new proposals
* Working closely with the creative teams to meet design brief
* Reviewing project team work and setting work schedules
* Provide CAD drawing and 3D models to shipyard and/or subcontractor manufacturers
* Organise and supply information to visualisers
* Preparation of agendas, taking of accurate meeting notes and creation of presentation plans
Knowledge, Abilities & Skills
* Relevant experience as a project manager and/or yacht designer including experience of managing complex yacht design and build projects
* Exceptional client relationship skills with excellent communications skills both written and verbal
* Excellent organisational skills & initiative
* Ability to think on your feet, making project decisions that ensure client expectations are met, whilst also knowing at what point to escalate to the Team Principle or Head of Yacht. Design for support
* Ability to focus on individual detail whilst maintaining a good overall view
* Working knowledge of industry standards and yacht codes and experience of applying this knowledge to the design of the General Arrangement plans
* Excellent IT skills and knowledge of AutoCAD, Rhino, InDesign, Photoshop, MS Office/Excel, planning software
* Hand sketching desirable
* Good team player