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- Tasks: Lead luxury residential design projects, ensuring brand excellence and operational soundness.
- Company: Join the prestigious Mandarin Oriental, known for exceptional luxury properties worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy complimentary stays, health support, and tailored development programmes.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous growth and to work on high-profile projects.
- Why this job: Be a brand guardian and shape iconic designs in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Architectural or Interior Design background with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Are you a master of your craft? Do you thrive in environments where brand excellence, collaboration, and integrity matter? At Mandarin Oriental, we invite you to become a fan of the exceptional. Mandarin Oriental is the award‑winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts, and residences in prime global destinations. We are globally recognised for creating exceptional luxury properties, delivering legendary service inspired by Asian heritage while embracing innovation and modern design excellence.
About the job
Based within the Technical Services / Residences function, the Residential Project Design Manager acts as a Brand Guardian across all Residential and Technical Services design matters. This role provides end‑to‑end design guidance across assigned projects — from Kick‑Off through completion and residential opening — ensuring Mandarin Oriental’s Brand Design Philosophy and Standards are upheld at every stage. The role works closely with Owners, Project Teams, Consultants, Operations, and Technical Services to deliver projects that are brand‑aligned, operationally sound, and design‑led.
Responsibilities
- Brand & Design Leadership: Acting as a Brand Guardian, ensuring Residential Design Philosophy and Brand Standards are consistently applied. Providing detailed design reviews, guidance, and approvals to Owners’ Consultants. Assisting with conceptual design, early feasibility reviews, and desktop assessments of potential projects. Establishing and coordinating area programs, space requirements, formulas, and Front‑and Back‑of‑House ratios.
- Design Coordination & Documentation: Overseeing multiple residential projects simultaneously across different stages. Producing written design guidance, sketches, and CAD drawings to communicate effectively with project stakeholders. Guiding consultants through design development and presentation stages to ensure alignment with brand, specifications, and operational criteria. Coordinating signage packages with signage consultants to ensure clarity, compliance, and logical placement throughout properties.
- Operational & BOH Integration: Working closely with Residential Operations to develop BOH layouts, specifications, and material selections in line with operational needs. Providing functional BOH layouts that meet both design and operational criteria. Ensuring FF&E selections comply with Mandarin Oriental brand, engineering, IT, and operational standards.
- Project & Stakeholder Management: Liaising with Project Managers and Owners while routing all design deviations and corrections through the Project Management function. Maintaining critical path design tracking and proactively identifying risks or delays. Coordinating with internal departments to align design, operations, and delivery timelines.
- Site, Handover & Delivery: Conducting regular site visits and issuing observation reports. Representing Residential and Technical Services in value engineering discussions. Coordinating mock‑up rooms, prototypes, inspections, testing, commissioning, and handover processes. Ensuring receipt and transfer of as‑built drawings, manuals, training materials, and maintenance documentation.
- Commercial & Financial Oversight: Reviewing project budgets, assisting with bid analysis, and supporting FF&E specification approvals. Evaluating design changes for cost and scope impact in coordination with Technical Services. Ensuring accurate handover of supplier and cost data to operations.
Qualifications
- Architectural or Interior Design background, with experience in greenfield developments and/or major renovations.
- Strong experience acting as a design authority or brand guardian in complex projects.
- Proven ability to coordinate multiple consultants, disciplines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Strong sketching, CAD, and written communication skills.
- Comfortable taking ownership, setting up guidelines, manuals, and specifications, and following through to completion.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects under tight timelines.
- Sound understanding of luxury residential/hotel operations and BOH functionality.
- Confident communicator able to guide owners, consultants, and project teams diplomatically.
Brand Integrity: Acts as a brand ambassador at all times. Demonstrates deep knowledge of brand values, culture, and design philosophy. Ensures brand integrity and clarity are consistently upheld across all projects.
Our commitment to you:
- Learning & Development: Continuous growth through tailored development programmes.
- MOstay: Complimentary stays and preferred rates across Mandarin Oriental properties worldwide.
- Health & Colleague Wellness: Comprehensive wellbeing and health support.
- Retirement Plans: Role‑appropriate long‑term benefits.
We’re Fans. Are you?
Residential Design Director, Group Residences employer: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Limited
Contact Detail:
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Design Director, Group Residences
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase 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’s projects and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their brand philosophy and operational needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Design Director, Group Residences
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design and luxury shine through. We want to see how much you love what you do and how it aligns with our brand values.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in residential design and project management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to act as a Brand Guardian and manage multiple projects.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your written application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to communicate your ideas and experiences, as we appreciate clarity just as much as creativity.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Limited
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Mandarin Oriental's brand values and design philosophy. Familiarise yourself with their luxury properties and understand how they integrate Asian heritage with modern design. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your alignment with their brand during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Design Expertise
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your previous work in residential design, especially any projects where you acted as a brand guardian. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your ability to maintain brand integrity while managing multiple stakeholders.
✨Master the Art of Communication
As a Residential Design Director, you'll need to liaise with various teams. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and diplomatically. Consider role-playing common interview scenarios with a friend to refine your communication skills and ensure you can convey your ideas effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about design coordination, BOH functionality, and project management. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed design reviews and approvals in past projects. This will show your readiness to take ownership of the role.