Associate Lighting Designer

Role overview

Leadership and design

• Manage, mentor, and develop designers; delegate work and oversee team quality, programmes, workloads, and resource needs.
• Lead lighting concepts, workshops, brainstorms, critiques, and design reviews; introduce new products, technologies, techniques, and tools.
• Review deliverables against design, technical, QA/QC, regulatory, and sustainability standards; advise clients and design teams.
• Liaise with manufacturers on product selection, specifications, and technical queries.

Project and commercial delivery

• Oversee projects and personally lead key projects; plan workloads and programmes using Wrike and identify capacity gaps, including external Revit resources.
• Maintain client satisfaction and direct teams through technical, programme, and delivery challenges; ensure site health and safety procedures are followed.
• Manage portfolio profitability, project performance, commercial risks, invoicing milestones, scope changes, fees, costs, and liability risks.

Clients and studio development

• Build relationships with clients, architects, interior designers, MEP consultants, and developers; identify opportunities and support proposals and bids.
• Maintain relevant opportunities in the CRM and represent the business at industry, trade, networking, and award events.
• Develop studio procedures, design standards, workflows, and presentation materials; contribute to training, knowledge sharing, lessons learned, and continuous improvement.

Candidate requirements

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Lighting Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant architectural lighting design experience; a strong portfolio across sectors such as luxury hospitality, residential, commercial, retail, and mixed-use.
• Experience delivering projects from concept through detailed design, specification, and site implementation.
• Strong knowledge of lighting, controls, equipment, current technologies, manufacturers, and product specification.
• Experience working with architects, interior designers, MEP consultants, developers, and contractors; prior experience managing, mentoring, or leading designers.
• Strong client-facing, organisational, and commercial skills; proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and relevant lighting/design software. Strong Revit skills are advantageous.
• Knowledge of UAE regulations and regional project delivery is preferred; previous UAE or GCC experience is highly desirable.

Personal attributes

• Creative, commercially aware, and technically strong, with proven leadership capability.
• Confident working directly with clients and balancing creative ambition with technical and commercial requirements.
• Motivated to contribute to the growth of a boutique, design-led business.