At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape exceptional hospitality projects in a dynamic interiors team.
- Company: Renowned multidisciplinary design studio with a focus on sophisticated environments.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career growth, mentorship, and influence in a collaborative setting.
- Other info: Exciting growth ahead; help craft a unique hospitality offering.
- Why this job: Join at a pivotal moment to impact the future of hospitality design.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in interior design with strong leadership and hospitality experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Opportunity to help shape and grow a hospitality-led interiors team within an established multidisciplinary design studio.
This is a rare opportunity for a Senior Associate / Associate Director to join an ambitious and growing interiors team at a pivotal moment in its evolution. Created as a strategic investment hire, this appointment will play a key role in shaping the next chapter of the studio's hospitality offering and helping expand an already established multidisciplinary practice into new sectors.
Working closely with the leadership team, the successful individual will lead and deliver exceptional hospitality projects spanning hotels, restaurants, members clubs, lounges, retail and experience-led environments. Alongside project leadership, the role offers genuine influence across the wider business, encompassing creative direction, team development, client relationships and the growth of future opportunities.
This is a position for someone who enjoys balancing design excellence with leadership and commercial awareness; someone who wants to mentor teams, nurture relationships and play an active role in building something for the long term. There is a clear entrepreneurial spirit within the practice, and the right person will have the opportunity to help shape not only projects, but also the future direction of the interiors team itself.
CandidateThe ideal candidate will bring significant hospitality experience, together with the leadership capability and commercial awareness required to help shape the continued growth of the interiors team:
- 15+ years' experience within interior design, including leadership responsibility
- Strong hospitality background across hotels, restaurants, members clubs and F&B environments
- Experience delivering retail, lounge and experience-led projects
- Proven ability to lead projects from concept through to completion
- Existing network of clients, consultants, operators, makers and suppliers
- Track record of developing relationships and contributing to new business opportunities
- Strong creative ability with a refined and highly considered design sensibility
- Deep appreciation for materiality, craftsmanship and the human experience
- Excellent presentation, communication and client-facing skills
- Experience leading, mentoring and developing teams within a collaborative environment
- Exposure to resource planning, recruitment and team management
- Strong commercial awareness with experience of project budgeting, fee proposals and profitability
- Ability to balance creative vision with operational and commercial responsibilities
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary design or architectural environment preferred
- Strategic mindset with the ability to contribute to the growth and evolution of an interiors business
- Strong cultural alignment with a thoughtful and highly crafted approach to design
This highly regarded multidisciplinary design practice has built a reputation for creating quietly sophisticated environments where architecture, interiors and furniture are considered as one. The studio's aesthetic is characterised by restrained elegance, rich materiality and a strong sense of place. Projects are warm, tactile and timeless, balancing understated luxury with exceptional craftsmanship and carefully considered detailing. Spaces are designed to evoke atmosphere and emotion, with a deep appreciation for natural materials, bespoke elements and the relationship between objects, architecture and the human experience. Collaborative by nature, the practice brings together architects, interior designers and researchers to create work that is thoughtful, contextual and enduring. With an exciting period of growth ahead, this represents a unique opportunity to help shape the next chapter of an ambitious hospitality offering.
ApplyApply via LinkedIn or email with Ref FC2589. Applicants must have valid Right to Work (RTW) in the UK, as those without will not be eligible. Due to the high volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to those shortlisted for the position. We thank you for your time and interest.
Refer a FriendWe are always interested to connect with industry talent. If you know someone open to new opportunities, connect us. If we place them, you'll receive up to £500 as thank you.
FOLIO is a trusted specialist agency within the design community. We partner with top practices, boutique studios, and global design groups to connect talent with opportunity across the UK, Europe & Americas.
Senior Associate Director in Slough employer: FOLIO
Join a highly regarded multidisciplinary design studio that values creativity, collaboration, and craftsmanship. As a Senior Associate Director, you will have the unique opportunity to influence the future of our hospitality-led interiors team, working on exceptional projects that evoke emotion and atmosphere. With a strong focus on employee growth, mentorship, and an entrepreneurial spirit, this role offers a rewarding environment where your leadership and design excellence can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate Director in Slough
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from FOLIO who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate Director in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at FOLIO!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to FOLIO. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at FOLIO
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at FOLIO.
