Design Directors in London

Design Directors in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative vision and oversee design excellence across diverse architectural projects.
  • Company: 10 Design, a global architecture practice with a dynamic team across nine studios.
  • Benefits: Collaborative culture, opportunities for mentorship, and involvement in international projects.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality, inclusion, and innovative design.
  • Why this job: Shape iconic spaces and make a real impact in architecture and urban planning.
  • Qualifications: Significant experience as a Director in international consultancy, especially in the Middle East.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.

10 Design is a global architecture and master planning practice. Headquartered in London, a dynamic team of 300 architects and designers is located across nine global studios – London, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Dubai, Edinburgh, Miami, Dallas, Shenzhen, and Singapore. 10 Design shapes spaces at every scale, from individual buildings to entire cityscapes. Our work spans master planning, mixed‑use developments, retail, hospitality, residential, research and science facilities, as well as civic and cultural projects. We take pride in creating designs that inspire, engage, and respond thoughtfully to the unique character of the communities we serve.

As part of our team, you will contribute to a broad range of UK and international projects, from large‑scale masterplans to individual buildings, within a creative and collaborative studio. Experience working in a design‑led practice on UK or international projects is required and work on projects in the Middle East is essential for the role. Experience of Technical Design and Construction work stages will also be an advantage for the role.

Role Summary

A senior leadership role responsible for setting and safeguarding the design vision of the practice regionally and across the Middle East, representing the studio at the highest level, and delivering world‑class design across multiple sectors.

Purpose

The Director is responsible for always achieving excellence in design while representing 10 Design and its design philosophy to the highest quality standard. They are required to act as a primary point of contact to clients and external consultants for all design related issues. The role also involves driving the creative direction of the architecture teams, sponsoring a collaborative and iterative review‑based design culture, overseeing the coordination with other consultants to ensure an appropriate, high quality architectural product is delivered on time and within defined budgets.

Role requirements
  • Creative Leadership
    • Define and lead the creative vision for key projects, pursuits, and competitions.
    • Act as a design leader, ensuring consistency and excellence across the regional portfolio.
    • Shape architectural language, innovation, sustainability, and client‑focused design strategies.
    • Represent the practice publicly through client presentations, design reviews, and industry forums.
  • Project Oversight
    • Provide strategic oversight across major projects and key client accounts.
    • Lead design governance, review processes, and critical decision‑making points.
    • Guide teams through complex stakeholder environments typical of large‑scale International and Middle East developments.
    • Support business development through design leadership in bids and interviews.
  • Team Mentorship
    • Inspire, mentor, and develop senior design leaders and future directors.
    • Build and sustain a high‑performance, design‑led collaborative studio culture.
    • Support succession planning and long‑term capability building within the practice.
  • Quality & Delivery
    • Ensure design excellence is maintained from concept through delivery across all project stages.
    • Oversee design risk management, authority engagement, and design integrity during construction.
    • Set benchmarks for quality, innovation, and best practice across the region.
Qualifications

Essential experience:

  • Significant experience as a Director within an international consultancy.
  • Middle East experience essential, with a strong regional network.
  • Proven portfolio across multiple building types, including large‑scale and complex developments.
  • Experience in Hospitality and Master planning projects.
  • Recognised design leadership with built work and/or award‑winning projects.

Design Directors in London employer: 10Designvn

10 Design is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and innovation across its global studios. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, employees are encouraged to take on leadership roles and contribute to diverse projects that shape communities worldwide. Located in London, the heart of architectural excellence, 10 Design provides unique opportunities for mentorship and development within a supportive environment, making it an ideal place for passionate design professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
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Contact Detail:

10Designvn Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Directors in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opening.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your designs do the talking.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your design philosophy and how you can contribute to their projects. Confidence is key when you're in front of decision-makers.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Design Directors in London

Creative Leadership
Design Vision Development
Architectural Language Shaping
Sustainability Strategies
Client-Focused Design
Project Oversight
Design Governance
Stakeholder Management
Team Mentorship
High-Performance Studio Culture
Design Risk Management
Quality Assurance
International Project Experience
Middle East Project Experience
Hospitality and Master Planning Expertise

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Vision: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your unique design vision. We want to see how you can shape spaces and inspire communities, so don’t hold back on sharing your creative ideas!

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to tailor your application to reflect your experience in international projects, especially in the Middle East. We’re looking for someone who understands the complexities of large-scale developments, so give us the details!

Be a Team Player: We value collaboration, so let us know about your experience mentoring teams and fostering a high-performance culture. Share examples of how you've inspired others and contributed to a creative studio environment.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at 10Designvn

✨Know Your Design Philosophy

Before the interview, take some time to really understand 10 Design's approach to architecture and master planning. Familiarise yourself with their past projects, especially those in the Middle East, and be ready to discuss how your design vision aligns with theirs.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Design Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided design processes in previous roles, particularly in complex stakeholder environments. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing future leaders.

✨Prepare for Client Interactions

Since you'll be acting as a primary point of contact for clients, practice articulating your design ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you can effectively communicate your vision while also being receptive to client feedback. Role-playing these scenarios can be super helpful!

✨Discuss Quality and Innovation

Be ready to talk about how you ensure design excellence from concept through delivery. Share specific examples of how you've managed design risk and maintained integrity during construction. This will show that you not only have a creative vision but also a practical approach to delivering high-quality results.

Design Directors in London
10Designvn
Location: London

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