At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative design projects and mentor junior designers in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join LOOP, a passionate team transforming commercial interiors across the UK and Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical insurance, and a day off on your birthday.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with regular social events and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by designing inspiring workplaces that help teams thrive.
- Qualifications: Degree in Interior Design or Architecture with 10-12 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About Loop
At LOOP, we are passionate about planning, designing and constructing exceptional commercial interiors for our clients. As a full-service workplace interior specialist, we create people-centric workplaces through a process of “define, design, deliver.” We are excellent listeners and experts in our field, committed to understanding the unique needs of every business we work with. With market-leading expertise across commercial interiors, furniture, facilities management and aftercare, we provide seamless, wrap-around services throughout the UK and mainland Europe. Our team is made up of some of the best talent in the industry, committed to creating workplaces where businesses and their people can flourish.
“We believe that the best workplaces are those that inspire and enable teams to thrive, and we bring that vision to life through every project.”
About the role
As Senior Designer, you will create exceptional workplace design concepts and deliver a high standard of interior design across projects of varying scale and complexity. You will take a leading role in competitive pitches, present design concepts to clients, and work closely with the wider project team to ensure ideas are translated accurately from brief through to delivery. The role combines creative leadership, technical design, client-facing presentation and project coordination. You will also act as a mentor to more junior members of the design team and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing design culture.
Key responsibilities
- Design leadership & project delivery
- Generate and develop strong design concepts, layouts, finishes, materials and furniture solutions in collaboration with the project team.
- Interpret programme requirements and develop block plans, adjacency diagrams, space plans and detailed designs.
- Prepare design and production information in line with agreed programme and cost parameters.
- Create interior architecture and detailing for construction documentation, including accurate drawing management.
- Specify products, fabrics, furniture, finishes and architectural elements, considering suitability, sustainability and maintenance requirements.
- Undertake and accurately complete building interior surveys.
- Review construction work and drawings on site as required, and contribute to resolving design-related snagging issues.
- Client, pitch & pre-project responsibilities
- Manage the development of tender proposals and the preparation of tender presentation material.
- Lead and/or support client presentations, including competitive pitches and presentations to large groups.
- Collect and interpret client briefs and prepare clear project briefing documents.
- Attend client presentations and relevant project meetings, ensuring design intent, detailing and delivery expectations are understood.
- Use strong client-management and presentation skills to build confidence in Loop’s design approach.
- Coordination & compliance
- Build and maintain effective working relationships within the design POD, encouraging collaboration and clear communication throughout each project.
- Coordinate relevant trades through the design and construction process.
- Liaise with subcontractors and consultants to ensure risks and issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
- Ensure relevant design team members have the information required to complete their areas of work in line with client needs.
- Ensure O&M information is accurate, up to date, appropriately stored and accessible when required.
- Apply relevant Building Regulations, British Standards and statutory requirements, including accessibility requirements and planning/listed building considerations where applicable.
- Report project issues to the Project Director and Head of Design on a regular basis and support a smooth project handover to the client.
Skills, experience & qualifications
- Essential experience
- A degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture or Architecture.
- Ideally 10–12+ years’ experience in the industry in a comparable senior design role, depending on overall skillset.
- Strong experience delivering fast-track projects from inception through to completion.
- Excellent experience pitching projects and presenting confidently to clients and large groups.
- Strong client liaison, people-management and team-motivation skills.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of the high-level financial considerations involved in delivering design projects on time and on budget.
- Experience mentoring and supporting more junior members of a design team.
- Design & technical expertise
- Advanced working knowledge of Revit; a Revit assessment will form part of the interview process.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and other associated drafting packages.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign and Photoshop, and other graphical/visual-generation platforms.
- Excellent design and technical knowledge of furniture systems, products, finishes and materials, with the ability to undertake ongoing research.
- Working knowledge of UK Building Regulations, British Standards and other relevant statutory legislation.
- Knowledge of UK planning, listed building and conservation processes.
- Good familiarity with sustainability certification and processes such as SKA, BREEAM and WELL.
- An understanding of inclusive design principles, including consideration of neurodiversity.
- Strong understanding of construction processes and detailing.
- Ability to hand sketch.
- Personal qualities
- A genuine passion for creativity, design and innovation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload, plan efficiently and meet deadlines.
- Proactive, self-motivated and solutions-focused, with a positive can-do attitude.
- A collaborative team player who can build effective working relationships across a multidisciplinary environment.
- A confident and supportive mentor who contributes positively to the wider team.
Benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Workplace Nursery Salary Sacrifice
- Private Medical Insurance & mental health support, including 1-to-1 therapy sessions
- Electric Car Scheme
- Optical, dental & hearing cashback
- Travel Season Ticket Loan
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Day off on your birthday
- Hybrid working
- One additional day of annual leave per year worked
- Regular social events
- Pension Salary Sacrifice
Senior Designer in Guildford employer: Loop Interiors
At LOOP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that empowers our team to thrive. As a Senior Designer, you will not only lead innovative design projects but also have the opportunity to mentor junior talent, all while enjoying benefits like private medical insurance and an employee assistance programme. Located in a dynamic environment, we are committed to your professional growth and well-being, ensuring that every team member feels valued and inspired to create outstanding workplace interiors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Designer in Guildford
✨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 Loop Interiors 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 Designer in Guildford
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 Loop Interiors!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Loop Interiors. 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 Loop Interiors
✨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 Loop Interiors.
