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- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects for high-value commercial interiors and shape client engagement.
- Company: Renowned design and build specialist with a strong reputation in workplace environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and the chance to work on prestigious projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on landmark designs while collaborating with top-tier clients.
- Qualifications: Degree in Interior Design or Architecture and significant experience in commercial interiors.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 90000 £ per year.
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. As part of their continued growth, they are seeking a Design Director to take a leading role within their specialist contracts division.
This is a pivotal position for an accomplished design professional who combines creative excellence with commercial awareness and a proven ability to lead projects from concept through to delivery.
The Role
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.
Design Director in London employer: James & Partners
Contact Detail:
James & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director 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 that Design Director role you’re eyeing.
✨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
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and their projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in commercial workplace interiors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Design Director role. Highlight your experience in commercial workplace interiors and any significant projects you've led, as this will catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the role. Share your design philosophy and how you’ve successfully managed complex projects in the past.
Showcase Your Design Skills: Include a portfolio of your work that demonstrates your design capabilities. We want to see your creativity and how you balance it with practicality in real-world projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at James & Partners
✨Know Your Design Journey
Make sure you can articulate your design process from concept to completion. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've led the design vision and how you navigated challenges along the way.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Savvy
Prepare examples that highlight your understanding of balancing creativity with commercial viability. Discuss how you've aligned design solutions with client objectives and project constraints in past roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships by sharing experiences where you've successfully collaborated with clients and multidisciplinary teams. Highlight your approach to managing expectations and ensuring alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
✨Be Tech-Savvy
Brush up on your knowledge of industry-standard design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools to enhance your design outputs and ensure accuracy in technical drawings.