Design Manager – Middle-earth™ Strategy Battle Game
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£44,900
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 1255 (60% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £44,900, and Games Workshop is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
We pick the code from the advert's text, so it is our best guess, not the employer's. Each code it could be has its own likelihood:
- Likely 1255 (Managers and directors in the creative industries) · 60% match
- Likely 2142 (Graphic and multimedia designers) · 13% match
- Possible 3429 (Design occupations not elsewhere classified) · 8% match
Ask Games Workshop what the duties are.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries Most likely code | £33,400 | £44,900 | £44,900 | £44,900 |
2142 Graphic and multimedia designers Also possible | £33,400 | £33,400 | £33,400 | £33,400 |
3429 Design occupations not elsewhere classified Also possible | £33,400 | £41,700 | £41,700 | £41,700 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Games Workshop has an exciting opportunity for a Design Manager – Product Development to join our Design Studio, working on Middle-earth™ Strategy Battle books and games, and ensuring they are produced to a high quality, efficiently and on time.
The Design Studio is where we bring Middle-earth™ to life on the tabletop. Miniatures designers, writers, artists, photographers, editors and graphic designers work side by side to recreate the stories, characters and battles of Middle-earth™ enjoyed by hobbyists around the world. As Design Manager – Product Development, you will be coordinating the whole process, bringing talented teams together around a shared vision and helping turn great ideas into something our hobbyists will love.
You will be passionate about miniatures and the hobby, with a deep knowledge of Middle-earth™ and a real understanding of what makes its worlds, characters and stories so special to its fans. You will turn ideas into clear creative plans and briefs, giving our teams the structure they need to create fantastic new books and games. From the first idea to the finished release, you will help protect that original vision and make sure everything we create is worthy of Middle-earth™.
You will be highly organised, comfortable managing lots of projects at once and calm when things don’t go to plan. With a demanding yet solution-driven approach, you will be responsible for ensuring the miniatures, books and games are financially viable and you will know the status of every project, what needs to happen next and where problems might arise. When they do, you will get stuck in, bring the right people together and find a way forward.
You will manage close relationships with our licensors and work closely with teams across Games Workshop, including Merchandising, Buying and Customer Engagement, to make sure everything we create is ready to reach our hobbyists. You will build strong relationships through listening to others, communicating clearly and ensuring everyone is aligned with the overall vision, while taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
Most importantly, you will care deeply about making Middle-earth™ Strategy Battle Game the very best it can be. You will be excited by the opportunity to lead talented creative people, eager to learn from them and always looking for ways to make the next book or game even better than the last.
If you love Middle-earth™, love the miniatures hobby and want to help create the books and games that will inspire hobbyists for years to come, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today!
Working at Games Workshop
At Games Workshop we are looking for people who will do their best to understand the needs of the company and to put those needs first when they are at work. Because of this we believe that what you are like, hence the attitude you show to work and the way you choose to behave is even more important than your skills and experience.
The Warhammer World site is based just outside of Nottingham city centre and benefits from a nearby tram stop and free onsite car parking.
In return for your hard work, you will receive 33 days holiday per year (including public holidays), matching contributory pension scheme up to 7.5%, profit share bonus (subject to GW meeting profit targets) and option to join our Share Save scheme. Oh and let’s not forget, a staff discount of between 25% and 50% on our products!
Other Essential Information
Closing date: The closing date for applications is midnight, UK time, on Sunday 25th October 2026.
How to Apply
To apply, please send us a letter or a video telling us why you want this job. This is a great opportunity for you to let us know that you understand what we are looking for.
Please include an up-to-date CV to support your application. When you’re ready, please click apply, below.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Games Workshop, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Managers and directors in the creative industries (SOC 1255) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~22k in sample- Middle half £40,040–72,176
- Median £58,864
- Going rate £44,900
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–40,410
Similar sponsored roles
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Browse more sponsored jobs at Games WorkshopAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Games Workshop holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 1255 going rate of £44,900. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.