Design Manager - Interior Design

Role overview

Design management

• Define design briefs covering project context, brand positioning, guest/customer experience, and technical criteria.
• Guide projects from concept through schematic design and tender documentation, advising project management during delivery.
• Lead reviews for design quality, compliance, brand alignment, and operational functionality.
• Review FF&E, lighting, MEP coordination, and fire-life-safety design elements.
• Prepare executive presentation commentary, concept narratives, and material palettes.
• Resolve conflicting feedback, explain decisions to stakeholders, and secure statutory approvals with consultants.
• Support marketing and leasing collateral, plans, and presentation packages.

Research, strategy, and administration

• Research hospitality and retail trends in guest experience, operational efficiency, and material innovation.
• Develop design guidelines, templates, resources, and review processes.
• Support market research and development strategy, advising on design potential and brand positioning.
• Define design briefs and budgets, conduct cost analysis, and advise on procurement strategies.
• Manage project schedules, milestones, and progress reporting for design phases.
• Support contract and commercial management, including consultant scope and deliverables.
• Define procurement strategy for FF&E and design services, preparing RFP documents and technical analyses.

Qualifications

• Master's or bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in interior design and management roles; hospitality and retail project experience is preferred.
• Strong understanding of MEP, fire-life-safety, and FF&E coordination.
• Proficiency in interior design management and industry-specific requirements.
• Strong executive presentation, stakeholder management, communication, and research capabilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office; Adobe Suite and planning software such as Primavera are a plus.