Design Director

Location: London

Salary: Circa £90,000 + Bonus / Commission

My client is a highly regarded, privately owned design and build specialist with a long‑standing reputation for delivering exceptional commercial workplace environments across London. With over five decades of success and a portfolio spanning thousands of completed projects, they partner with an enviable client base including blue‑chip organisations, developers, landlords and occupiers.

The Design Director will be responsible for shaping and leading the design vision across multiple high‑value commercial fit‑out projects. Operating at the intersection of creativity, client engagement and delivery, you will ensure that design solutions are both innovative and commercially viable, aligning with client objectives and project constraints. You will take ownership of the full design lifecycle, from early‑stage concept development and client engagement through to technical coordination and on‑site implementation. This role requires a strong understanding of the end‑to‑end design and build process, with the ability to manage complexity across multiple stakeholders and project phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of compelling, commercially astute design concepts that respond to client briefs and project requirements
• Take ownership of the design journey, ensuring a seamless experience from initial engagement through to project completion
• Oversee and coordinate all design outputs across RIBA stages, ensuring consistency, quality and adherence to programme
• Act as a senior client‑facing figure, presenting design concepts and building strong, lasting relationships
• Collaborate closely with pre‑construction, commercial and delivery teams to ensure alignment between design intent, cost and buildability
• Guide space planning strategies, including test‑fits and workplace optimisation solutions
• Manage the coordination and review of technical drawing packages to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Support and influence work‑winning activity, contributing to pitches and strategic client engagements
• Monitor project delivery on site, ensuring design integrity is maintained throughout the build phase
• Drive continuous improvement of internal design processes, standards and best practice
• Ensure full compliance with relevant regulations, building control requirements and health & safety standards

Candidate Profile

This opportunity is suited to an established design leader within the commercial interiors sector, who is confident operating in a client‑facing, commercially driven environment. You will demonstrate:

• A degree in Interior Design, Architecture or a related discipline
• Significant experience within commercial workplace interiors, ideally within a design & build environment
• A strong track record of delivering and winning projects of significant value (typically up to £20m)
• Exceptional design capability, with the ability to balance creativity and practicality
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of cost, programme and delivery constraints
• Proven experience in leading client presentations and influencing key stakeholders
• Advanced proficiency in industry‑standard design software (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite)
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to engage effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with high levels of accountability and attention to detail

Why Join

This is an opportunity to join a well‑established yet forward‑thinking business with a strong market reputation and consistent pipeline of high‑quality projects. You will play a key role in shaping design direction within a respected organisation, working with prestigious clients on landmark workplace environments. The role offers genuine influence, autonomy and the ability to directly impact both project outcomes and broader business success, supported by a competitive salary and performance‑driven bonus structure.