At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-end interior design projects from concept to completion, mentoring junior designers.
- Company: Customs Bureau creates emotive spaces focused on human connection and brand identity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a fun, fast-paced environment with remote work options, private healthcare, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Must have the legal right to work in the UK.
- Why this job: Join a young, collaborative team reshaping hospitality experiences with a focus on creativity and care.
- Qualifications: Masters in Interior Design or Architecture with 7+ years of experience; proficiency in design software required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Customs Bureau is part of the 7C network. The 7C network is an integrated network of design and architecture companies that provides "Total Place Design," a holistic approach to creating transformative environments. It combines capabilities from its constituent brands - including Woods Bagot, ERA-co, Impact Futures, and Customs Bureau - to offer services in placemaking, sustainability, architecture and interior design, and luxury concepts.
Customs Bureau is looking for an exceptional Senior Interior Designer to join our London studio.
We are a design-led interiors studio creating distinctive hospitality and lifestyle experiences around the world. Our work is conceptually driven and rooted in narrative, place and brand, with a particular focus on atmosphere, materiality, custom furniture and the details that shape how a space feels.
Led by Founder and Creative Director Shida Salehi, Customs Bureau works as a close-knit studio where ideas are developed collaboratively and senior designers remain deeply involved from the first sketch through to delivery.
We are looking for someone with a strong design point of view, a sophisticated understanding of luxury hospitality and the technical ability to turn an idea into a beautifully resolved space.
The Role
You will play a key role across projects from concept through construction, working closely with Shida and the wider design team.
You should be equally comfortable developing a concept, interrogating a plan, building and developing a design in 3D, selecting materials and furniture, designing bespoke elements and resolving the technical details required to deliver the design.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop compelling concepts, narratives and spatial experiences
- Lead space planning, material and FF&E development
- Design bespoke furniture, millwork and architectural details
- Produce and oversee high-quality drawing and documentation packages
- Develop and communicate design ideas confidently through SketchUp and 3D
- Coordinate with lighting, architecture, MEP, kitchen, signage and other specialist consultants
- Review samples, finishes, shop drawings and prototypes with a critical design eye
- Participate in client and operator presentations
- Support projects through construction, installation and completion
- Mentor junior designers while remaining hands-on in the work
We Are Looking For Someone Who Has
- 6+ years of professional interior design experience postgraduate
- Professional degree in interior design, and or architecture
- A portfolio demonstrating exceptional luxury hospitality, high-end F&B or residential work
- Strong conceptual and spatial design ability
- Excellent material, furniture and detailing sensibility
- Advanced SketchUp and AutoCAD skills
- Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills
- Experience producing and reviewing detailed design documentation
- Rhino, Revit, Enscape or additional visualisation skills are an advantage
- Confidence communicating design ideas visually and verbally
- The ability to work independently and take ownership within a small, fast- moving studio
Above all, we are interested in designers with curiosity, judgement and taste who care equally about the strength of the big idea and the resolution of the smallest detail.
Life at Customs Bureau
Customs Bureau combines the intimacy and creative involvement of a boutique design studio with access to the resources and global reach of the wider 7C network.
Our team works closely together, and designers are given genuine exposure to clients, collaborators and projects across international hospitality and lifestyle markets.
Benefits
- private healthcare and dental cover
- pension
- discretionary bonus
- professional development
- flexible working options
Mandatory requirement: It is an essential requirement that at the time of applying for this position applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
7C - Total Place Design Network
Customs Bureau is part of the 7C Total Place Design Network: A wholly owned network of leading place brands including Woods Bagot, ERA-co, Impact Futures, and Customs Bureau.
7C is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status. At 7C, we are committed to creating an environment where difference is celebrated, valued and respected, practices are equitable, and our people feel like they belong. We accept that none of us is smarter than all of us. We believe building a diverse workforce is the foundation to creativity and innovative design – it is only by working together that we can realise the potential of our people, clients and communities around us. Through our inclusive leadership and our truly global studio network, you will find your voice and have the support and flexibility required to bring your whole self to work and build an exceptional career.
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Senior Interior Designer employer: Customs Bureau
Customs Bureau is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where creativity thrives in the heart of London. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, employees are encouraged to develop their skills through mentorship and hands-on experience in luxury hospitality design. The unique opportunity to work within a dynamic team dedicated to reshaping the hospitality experience ensures that every project is not only meaningful but also deeply connected to the local context and client vision.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Interior Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Customs Bureau's design philosophy and recent projects. Understanding their emphasis on human connection and the emotional sensibilities of spaces will help you align your ideas with their vision during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the interior design community, especially with professionals who have experience in high-end residential and hospitality interiors. Attend industry events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and gain insights into the latest trends that could impress during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail, particularly those that showcase your proficiency in concept design and FF&E. Be ready to explain your creative process and how you manage client relationships, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your technical skills by being proficient in the software mentioned in the job description. Consider creating a small project or presentation using AutoCAD, Rhino, or Sketchup to demonstrate your capabilities and creativity when you get the chance to speak with the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Interior Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in high-end residential and hospitality interiors. Emphasise your proficiency in concept design to FF&E, and include specific projects that showcase your skills.
Craft a Compelling Portfolio:Your portfolio should reflect your best work, particularly in areas relevant to the role. Include detailed images of your projects, along with descriptions that explain your design process and the impact of your work on the client’s brand and location.
Write a Strong Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for interior design and how your experience aligns with Customs Bureau's philosophy of curation and care. Mention your ability to manage relationships with clients and contractors effectively.
Showcase Technical Skills:Highlight your proficiency in AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketchup, and Adobe Creative Suite. If you have experience with Enscape, be sure to mention it as a bonus. This will demonstrate your technical capabilities to the hiring team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Customs Bureau
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to high-end residential and hospitality interiors. Be prepared to discuss the design process behind each project and how it aligns with the ethos of Customs Bureau.
✨Understand Their Design Philosophy
Familiarise yourself with Customs Bureau's approach to design, particularly their emphasis on human connection and emotional sensibilities. This will help you articulate how your design philosophy aligns with theirs during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Skills
Be ready to discuss your proficiency in design software like AutoCAD, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite. You might even be asked to demonstrate your skills or discuss specific projects where you utilised these tools effectively.
✨Prepare for Client Interaction Scenarios
Since the role involves managing relationships with clients and contractors, think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated challenging interactions. This will showcase your communication skills and ability to work autonomously within a team.
