At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire design teams to create exceptional residential projects in Prime Central London.
- Company: Residence One, a leading developer and interior design studio with a decade of excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for professional growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and elevate your career in a thriving design culture.
- Why this job: Shape the creative vision and make a significant impact on high-end residential design.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in senior interior design roles and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Head of Design
About the role
Are you an experienced Senior Designer looking for the next challenge and to step up in your career?
We are looking for an exceptional designer to define and champion our creative vision and oversee the delivery of outstanding residential projects across Prime Central London.
This is a senior role for someone who combines creative instincts with strategic thinking, commercial awareness and strong people leadership.
As the Head of Design, you will be responsible for shaping the creative direction, ensuring every project reflects the highest standards of design excellence.
You will lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across Interior Design, Interior Architecture, and FF&E, fostering a collaborative culture where creativity thrives, and exceptional design outcomes are consistently delivered.
Residence One
Established over a decade ago, Residence One are a Prime Central London developer, interior design studio and construction company, delivering some of the most recognised properties across London.
As well as our own developments, we provide services to private clients, London estates and other property developers.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design direction from concept through to completion, ensuring every project demonstrates originality, quality, and attention to detail.
- Mentor and develop the design team and identify opportunities for professional growth within the team.
- Inspire innovative thinking and encourage the exploration of new materials, technologies, and design approaches.
- Provide strategic oversight across multiple projects, ensuring consistency, quality, and design integrity, alongside managing and delivering your own projects.
- Encourage close collaboration between Interior Design, Interior Architecture, and FF&E to create cohesive and highly considered environments.
- Oversee resource planning and team development to ensure projects are appropriately staffed and supported.
- Represent the studio as a creative leader, demonstrating expertise and leadership within the industry.
- Support business development activities, pitches, and proposals by contributing creative direction and strategic insight.
Skills & Experience
- Significant experience in a senior interior design role within a respected design practice.
- Outstanding portfolio demonstrating exceptional creative direction across high-end residential projects, as well as technical understanding.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams across Interior Design, Interior Architecture, and FF&E.
- Exceptional design sensibility with strong knowledge of spatial planning, materials, detailing, finishes, furniture, lighting, and styling.
- Strong understanding of the complete design process from concept through construction and project completion.
- Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to balance creative ambition with strong budget control.
- Experience using Auto CAD, Adobe Suite & Esti PC.
Salary is dependent on experience.
Head of Design employer: Residence One
At Residence One, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in the heart of Prime Central London, where creativity and innovation flourish. Our collaborative work culture encourages professional growth and mentorship, allowing our design teams to thrive while delivering outstanding residential projects. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on employee development, we offer a unique opportunity for talented individuals to shape their careers in a dynamic and inspiring environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design
✨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 Residence One 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 Head of Design
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 Residence One!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Residence One. 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 Residence One
✨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 Residence One.
