At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative hotel interior projects from concept to completion, crafting stunning designs.
- Company: Established interior design studio with a focus on collaboration and creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, performance bonuses, and tailored development plans.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team in a characterful studio, working closely together five days a week.
- Why this job: Get hands-on with design, make impactful decisions, and mentor junior designers.
- Qualifications: Senior-level interior design experience with a strong portfolio in hospitality or commercial interiors.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Some senior design roles gradually pull you further away from design.
This one does the opposite.
Modus Careers is working with an established interior design studio looking for a Senior Interior Designer to join its team following a significant influx of new hotel projects across the UK.
This is an opportunity for someone who still wants to be genuinely involved in the creative process.
Developing concepts, building mood boards, selecting FF&E, creating presentations, producing drawing packages and helping turn the early story behind a hotel into a complete interior scheme.
The immediate focus will be a portfolio of substantial hotel projects, spanning everything from bedrooms and guest spaces through to restaurants, bars and wider F&B environments.
You will work closely with one of the studio's senior leaders, taking ownership of projects while overseeing and supporting a junior designer already working within the hotel team.
Importantly, this is not a role for someone looking to become a technical technician or spend their week managing construction sites.
The studio's involvement in these hotel projects is centred around the design itself.
They work directly with hotel operators, developing the interior concept and FF&E specification before taking projects through to coordinated drawing packages.
Project management and site delivery are then handled separately by the client's own teams.
That creates a senior position where your value comes from your ability to design, communicate and make decisions.
You'll need to understand how an interior comes together technically, but you'll also need the creative confidence to establish a direction, present ideas convincingly and make considered decisions around materials, finishes, furniture and the details that ultimately define the guest experience.
Hotel experience would naturally be attractive, but it isn't essential.
Our client recognises that strong hospitality designers often have highly transferable experience.
If you've spent your career designing restaurants, bars or other high-quality hospitality environments and can demonstrate strong concept development alongside FF&E and project delivery, we'd still like to hear from you.
- What you'll be doing
- Leading the creative development of hotel interior projects from initial brief through to completed design packages
- Creating concepts, mood boards and compelling client presentations
- Developing FF&E schemes, specifications and associated pricing
- Producing and overseeing detailed interior drawing packages
- Working directly with hotel operators and presenting design ideas confidently
- Taking ownership of projects while supporting and overseeing a junior designer
- Collaborating with the wider studio across hospitality projects when required
- Protecting the creative intent of a scheme as it develops from concept into a coordinated design
What we're looking for
- Senior-level experience within interior design
- A strong portfolio demonstrating hospitality, hotel, F&B or similarly design-led commercial interiors
- Excellent concept development and visual communication skills
- Strong FF&E knowledge and specification experience
- Confident Auto CAD skills
- Good working knowledge of Photoshop and In Design
- The ability to communicate confidently with clients and internally
- Enough technical understanding to take a design through to a comprehensive drawing package
- A collaborative approach and the confidence to guide more junior designers
- A UK driving licence
More than anything, we're looking for a designer.
Someone who enjoys the early thinking.
Someone who can establish a visual language, interrogate a brief and build a scheme with enough depth that it feels considered rather than simply styled.
You might already come from hotels.
You might have built your career designing restaurants and hospitality spaces and be ready to apply that thinking across larger, more varied environments.
Either way, you should still want to be close to the work.
The studio itself is based in a characterful converted mill in the Essex countryside.
It is a collaborative environment, and the team works together in the studio five days a week, so this won't suit someone looking for a remote or hybrid position.
Due to the rural location, driving is also essential.
In return, you'll join a well-established studio with a strong pipeline of sizeable UK hotel projects and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a growing area of the business.
The package includes
- Salary dependent on experience
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- Performance-related summer and Christmas bonuses
- Tailored development plans
- CPDs and additional training where appropriate
- The opportunity to work closely with senior leadership while developing and mentoring junior designers
- Long-term involvement in significant UK hotel projects
If you're a Senior Interior Designer who wants your next move to involve more designing, more creative ownership and less time disappearing into project management , we'd like to hear from you.
Apply through Modus Careers or get in touch directly for a confidential conversation.
Senior Interior Designer in Chelmsford employer: Modus Careers
At Modus Careers, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our team enjoys ample opportunities for professional growth and development, working on diverse projects that allow for creativity and client engagement. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a supportive environment where your design expertise can truly make an impact in shaping the future of workplace solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Interior Designer in Chelmsford
✨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 Modus Careers 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 Interior Designer in Chelmsford
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 Modus Careers!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Modus Careers. 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 Modus Careers
✨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 Modus Careers.
