At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design vision and oversee innovative architecture and interiors projects.
- Company: Join a leading family firm in fitout and construction services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive culture that values creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design while making a real impact on projects.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in architecture or multidisciplinary design required.
The predicted salary is between 59270 - 72442 £ per year.
Location: Flexible / project and office locations as required
Reporting to: Managing Director, Design Services
Set the design vision. Build client relationships. Lead the next stage of growth.
Morris & Spottiswood are one of the leading providers of fitout, refurbishment, M&E, facilities management and construction services in the UK. A family firm, with a proud track record of excellence, we aim high, act responsibly and value our staff and customers.
We’re looking for a Design Director to provide strategic leadership across architecture, interiors and principal design within Design Services. This is an opportunity to combine creative ambition with commercial leadership, shaping how we win work, develop our people and deliver projects from concept through to completion.
The role:
- Reporting to the Managing Director, Design Services, you’ll set a clear direction for the practice, strengthen its market position and lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, commercially successful projects.
- You’ll work closely with Consult colleagues and the wider Group to connect design expertise with integrated project delivery.
- Develop and deliver the Design Services strategy, aligning design excellence with client needs and sustainable growth.
- Build strategic client relationships, lead bids and fee proposals, and develop opportunities for repeat business and cross-selling.
- Take ownership of business planning, revenue, profitability, resource utilisation and fee recovery.
- Oversee new-build and refurbishment projects, maintaining strong design governance, technical assurance and regulatory compliance.
- Lead, coach and develop Design Managers and senior design professionals, building capability and future leadership.
- Champion BIM, digital design, sustainability, modern methods of construction and emerging technologies.
What you’ll bring:
- Substantial senior leadership experience in architecture, interiors or multidisciplinary design, combining strategic, commercial and operational responsibility.
- A track record of winning work, growing client relationships and leading complex projects and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong technical and regulatory knowledge, with excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- A degree in Architecture or a related design discipline.
- Chartered or professionally registered status with an appropriate body, such as ARB/RIBA, CIAT or equivalent, is strongly preferred.
- Experience of integrated design-and-build delivery, multi-location teams and sectors such as commercial office, residential, defence, industrial, higher education or financial services would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of BIM, digital design, sustainability, modern methods of construction and AI-enabled design tools would also be advantageous.
Why this role?
You’ll have the opportunity to influence the direction of Design Services, develop its people and strengthen collaboration across Consult and the wider Group. Our values underpin how we work: Aim High. Act Responsibly. Value People.
Morris & Spottiswood is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
One of our core values is to ‘Value People’. We are passionate about investing in people and genuinely take care about what we do and how we do it. This ensures that the working environment, staff, suppliers and the communities we serve always remain at the front-of-mind. Put simply, a diverse and inclusive workforce opens our business up to a much wider talent pool and greater innovation and creativity through teams with different experiences, backgrounds and education.
Design Director – Architecture and Interiors in England employer: Morris & Spottiswood
Morris & Spottiswood is an exceptional employer located in Leeds, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides opportunities for professional development while promoting a hybrid working model that supports work-life balance. Join a team that values client-centric solutions and continuous improvement, making your contributions impactful in the construction and M&E sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director – Architecture and Interiors in England
✨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 Morris & Spottiswood 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 Design Director – Architecture and Interiors in England
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 Morris & Spottiswood!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Morris & Spottiswood. 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 Morris & Spottiswood
✨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 Morris & Spottiswood.
