At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative interior design projects for residential and hotel spaces.
- Company: Join Woods Bagot, a global design studio with a people-focused culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private healthcare, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape human-centered spaces that inspire future generations and reflect client ambitions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in interior design with strong leadership and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 77368 £ per year.
About Woods Bagot – Architecture for Worlds Ahead. We design places that meet the challenges and opportunities of our rapidly changing world. Our commitment to exploration, impact and community creates enduring, forward-thinking outcomes, unlocking humanity’s highest potential. With a global design culture devoted to creativity, resilience, and purpose – we ensure every project contributes to our client’s vision, inspiring future generations.
Woods Bagot is part of the 7C Network, an integrated network of design and architecture companies that provides "Total Place Design," a holistic approach to creating transformative environments. It combines capabilities from its constituent brands - including Woods Bagot, ERA-co, Impact Futures, and Customs Bureau - to offer services in placemaking, sustainability, architecture and interior design, and luxury concepts.
The Role: Woods Bagot (part of the 7C Network) is seeking an experienced and visionary Lifestyle Interior Design Leader to drive excellence and innovation within our lifestyle (residential and hotels) sector. This is a unique opportunity to join a global design studio renowned for its people-focused culture, research-driven approach, and award-winning projects that shape the way people live, work, and connect.
As the lifestyle interior design leader, you will be responsible for guiding the creative direction, strategy, and delivery of residential and hotel projects across the UK. You’ll lead multidisciplinary teams across all project phases - championing design quality, fostering collaboration, and cultivating strong client relationships. Your leadership will play a key role in shaping progressive, human-centered places that reflect our clients’ brand, culture, and future ambitions.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- Practice Leadership and Management:
- Be responsible for the successful delivery of projects from inception to completion, including leading a design team from briefing, space planning, concept, detail design, documentation, tendering, site and close-out process.
- Collaborate with clients, consultants, and internal teams to deliver integrated, high-performance design solutions.
- Establish and foster relationships with existing and new clients, afford new project opportunities, and collaborate with the Business Development / Marketing / PR + Comms (BDMC) Team to prepare proposals to pursue new projects.
- Establish a culture of design excellence in interior projects.
- Foster a commitment to exceptional client service.
- Provide mentorship to others within the practice.
- Develop and review fee proposals, budgets, and financial projections.
- Utilise and encourage best uses of technology for design, presentation, and production.
- Manage design presentations, documentation, and quality control across all project phases.
- Manage the design solution by ensuring the execution of necessary research to provide a thorough understanding of client needs, leading to responsive design solutions.
- Communicating design intent to clients in a clear, compelling way.
- Incorporating design requirements and goals to demonstrate creative and unique design solutions.
- Overseeing the preparation and delivery of design presentations to the clients and coordinating with consultants to achieve design goals on schedule and within budget.
- Ensuring that graphic representations and construction documents clearly and accurately convey design intent.
- Business development and Marketing:
- Establish and maintain close relationships with clients to win business.
- Collaborate with other Woods Bagot offices to increase opportunities and revenue from Global Corporate clients.
- Work closely with the studio residential and hotel sector leader(s) to prepare fee proposals and write and/or edit appropriate sections of proposals.
- Mentor, coach, and motivate teams and individuals within the practice.
- Create opportunities for continuing education and professional development, including site visits, lectures, “Lunch and Learns,” etc.
- Encourage staff exploration for continued innovation and design excellence.
- Develop a clear and recognised profile in the UK market to maintain Woods Bagot’s market position as a leader in the interior design of hotel and residential projects.
- Plan and drive the growth of the lifestyle interiors portfolio in the studio alongside the studio lifestyle sector lead(s).
- Staff Development:
- Mentor, coach, and motivate teams and individuals within the practice.
- Create opportunities for continuing education and professional development, including site visits, lectures, “Lunch and Learns,” etc.
- Encourage staff exploration for continued innovation and design excellence.
About You: As a successful candidate, you are a highly motivated, creative, and resourceful leader with a strong collaborative spirit. You are committed to delivering business value for clients by applying bespoke solutions grounded in Woods Bagot’s research, design expertise, and industry experience. You excel at conceptualizing and translating ideas into exceptional design outcomes, combining strong space planning abilities with a keen eye for detail and aesthetics. A natural collaborator and clear communicator, you bring a positive, professional presence to every interaction and presentation.
Required Experience and Skills:
- Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a closely related field (or the international equivalent).
- At least 5 years’ experience working in the Interior Design field.
- Demonstrated experience successfully leading and managing projects and a team.
- Demonstrated success in identifying and securing new business opportunities.
Benefits we offer: In addition to working for a world-class design Studio, you will enjoy benefits such as:
- A balance between Studio and home working.
- Access to global resources to enhance your learning and development.
- Private healthcare and dental cover.
- Annual discretionary bonus.
- Company pension scheme.
How to Apply: Please send your resume via this LinkedIn job post. Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We do not accept unsolicited resumes or names from agencies.
Mandatory Requirement: It is an essential requirement that applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK when applying for this position. Due to the high volume of applications, we kindly ask that you refrain from following up on your CV submission, as this may slow down the process. We truly appreciate your interest in joining Woods Bagot, and should your application progress, we will be in touch directly. Thank you for your understanding.
All personal data collected by the Company will be kept confidential and only be used for recruitment purposes.
7C - Total Place Design Network is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status. At 7C, we are committed to creating an environment where difference is celebrated, valued and respected, practices are equitable, and our people feel like they belong. We accept that none of us is smarter than all of us. We believe building a diverse workforce is the foundation to creativity and innovative design – it is only by working together that we can realise the potential of our people, clients and communities around us. Through our inclusive leadership and our truly global studio network, you will find your voice and have the support and flexibility required to bring your whole self to work and build an exceptional career.
Interior Design Lead - Lifestyle in London employer: Woods Bagot
Woods Bagot is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company offers opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and access to global resources, ensuring that every team member can unlock their full potential. Located in the UK, this role not only allows you to lead innovative lifestyle projects but also to be part of a forward-thinking design studio that values diversity and celebrates unique perspectives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interior Design Lead - Lifestyle in London
✨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 Woods Bagot 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 Interior Design Lead - Lifestyle in London
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 Woods Bagot!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Woods Bagot. 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 Woods Bagot
✨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 Woods Bagot.
