Design Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Hospitality

Design Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Hospitality

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
InterContinental Hotels Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global design strategies for luxury hospitality brands, creating unique and impactful experiences.
  • Company: Join IHG Hotels & Resorts, a leader in boutique hospitality with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, impressive discounts, recharge days, and a focus on wellbeing.
  • Other info: Collaborate globally and grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of hospitality design and make a real impact on guest experiences.
  • Qualifications: Degree in design and experience in luxury hospitality required; passion for inclusive design is a plus.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Location: United Kingdom, Windsor

If you know how to turn thoughtful design and soulful atmosphere into a strategic brand advantage, we would like to speak with you. Kimpton, Vignette Collection and Hotel Indigo are three of the most characterful brands in the IHG Hotels & Resorts luxury and lifestyle portfolio. Each one is defined by individual expression and distinct personality: design that feels rooted in its neighbourhood, local social culture and human-centric connections, making each hotel a market leader within each destination.

This role ensures that our brands retain their unique design position and stylistic point of view as they grow in scale across the globe. As Manager of Global Design Strategies, you will be the creative coordinator behind all three brands - turning operational insights, market trends and competitive intelligence into inspirational design, practical style tools and brand-defining atmosphere programmes that keep IHG at the leading edge of lifestyle and boutique hospitality. Reporting to the Global Head of Design Strategies, Luxury & Lifestyle Brands, this role will work cross-functionally at the global level to bring our design and style strategies to life.

What you'll do:

  • Lead the development and implementation of global brand design strategy initiatives across Kimpton, Vignette Collection and Hotel Indigo.
  • Oversee new design concepts, style prototypes and commercial pilots, working with external consultants on Design Strategies and Signatures, including style and atmosphere toolkits.
  • Work with internal stakeholders to manage brand alignment within global brand initiatives and evolution requirements.
  • Own the colleague attire and OS&E design programmes for each brand, coordinating with operational brand standards and cost impact for our hotels.
  • Keep brand toolkits and playbooks current, socialising with regional and hotel teams, ensuring embedment and guest experience impact with optimal results.
  • Coordinate category level bedding and amenities projects for each brand, in coordination with the brand teams and guest share services team.
  • Support the development of brand films and presentation materials for growth and brand immersion opportunities.
  • Manage project budgets and agency contracts.
  • A champion for human centric design, inclusive design and accessibility.
  • Manage all internal communications and relationships across operations, F+B, development, guest shared services, procurement and brand standards teams globally.
  • Meet regularly with brand leaders and senior leaders, reporting on the strategic initiative.

What you'll bring:

  • A degree or similar in Interior Design, Industrial Design or Interior Architecture.
  • Significant experience in luxury or lifestyle hospitality design, with a focus on design, styling and creative strategies.
  • Hands-on experience working with lifestyle brands, aesthetics and standards, focusing on market trends and social influence across hospitality brands.
  • A passion for human centric, inclusive design and setting new standards for accessibility in hospitality spaces.
  • Knowledge of impactful sustainability practices across interior design and architecture - resourcing, regenerative design and after life waste management, etc.
  • A track record of partnering cross-functionally and cross-culturally in a global organisation.
  • The ability to influence stakeholders and build working relationships that deliver, backed by superior communication and presentation skills.
  • Process discipline: organised, detail oriented and comfortable leading virtual teams of consultants and agencies.
  • A good working knowledge of InDesign, PowerPoint and Excel - able to build presentations and communications through graphic design tools (SketchUp experience a bonus).

If you want to shape the future of boutique hospitality with style and flair, with your design thinking showing up in hotels people talk about, this is the place to do it. Apply now.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 21st July 2026

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You'll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Design Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Hospitality employer: InterContinental Hotels Group

At the Manchester Deansgate Hotel, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and continuous improvement. With competitive salaries, extensive training opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, our team members enjoy a supportive environment where they can thrive and grow in their careers. Located in the heart of Manchester, our hotel not only provides a stunning backdrop for work but also fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, making it a truly rewarding place to build your future.

InterContinental Hotels Group

Contact Details:

InterContinental Hotels Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Hospitality

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 InterContinental Hotels Group 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 Design Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Hospitality

Interior Design
Industrial Design
Interior Architecture
Luxury Hospitality Design
Creative Strategy
Human Centric Design
Inclusive Design

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 InterContinental Hotels Group!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to InterContinental Hotels Group. 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 InterContinental Hotels Group

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 InterContinental Hotels Group.