Lead Interior Designer

The ideal candidate will have excellent creative thinking skills and be able to create designs based on conversations with a client. The candidate should be confident communicating regularly with the client in order to assess their needs and be able to adjust a given approach based on feedback. The candidate should maintain familiarity with the interior design landscape and trends in order to provide the best ideas for clients.

Responsibilities

DESIGN DIRECTION

• Collaborate with the Creative Director, to determine the creative and conceptual vision for all design projects.
• Responsible for leading and managing the design team in the execution of all high-specification, bespoke interior design projects.
• Design bespoke furnishings, including case pieces, upholstery, and lighting.
• Review and approve all design boards, client presentations, project documentation, and product proposals before they reach a client
• Maintain knowledge of space planning, market trends, and products.
• Participate in design markets, vendor classes, and training sessions as assigned (travel may be required).

DESIGN EXECUTION

• Provide strong project leadership and seamless service to our clients, with exceptional communication throughout.
• Deliver confident, experienced, and skilled space planning, and apply knowledge of the planning process and building regulations where applicable.
• Provide approval of all design boards, client presentations, project documentation, and product proposals.
• Lead regular internal and external design team meetings to ensure projects are continually on track and client expectations are exceeded.
• Visit ongoing project sites as needed to ensure designs are executed according to project documentation and L&L brand standards.
• Respond effectively to complex questions and troubleshoot problems, whilst working and switching between various projects.
• Apply strategic thinking to forecast, identify, and communicate risks. Bring ideas and solutions to each project.
• Utilize strong sales techniques to achieve monthly sales targets as set by the company budget.
• In coordination with the Chief of Staff, schedule all client milestone meetings as projects progress.
• Maintain the installation schedule and coordinate timing with all necessary departments.

MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate with the Creative Director to set internal design standards and guidelines and ensure implementation.
• Manage and develop the design team, report back to Leadership in a constructive manner, and highlight successes and failures.
• Streamline processes and procedures to increase quality and efficiency, as needed.
• Adhere to project timelines and hit internal and external milestones. Provide regular and timely updates and progress reports.
• Promote L&L Guiding Principles and consistently work towards improving the team and client experience.
• Manage Design team workload and project hours.
• Forecast design income and work with the appropriate department to establish a timeline for new jobs

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Interior Design/Interior Architecture.
• Minimum of 6 years post-graduate experience with a minimum of 4 years in the luxury residential sector including management of direct reports.
• Proficiency in SketchUp (or equivalent), Photoshop, Apple, and Google products.
• Strong background in Interior Architecture, a high standard of technical ability, and broad knowledge of materiality.
• Passion for FF&E with vast knowledge of suppliers, products, and specialist finishes.
• Experience working on all aspects of high-specification interior design and construction projects, through all stages of work, from concept to completion.
• Strong financial understanding of project costs including budget awareness.
• Exceptional eye for scale and balance, detail and color.
• Impeccable and concise communication and presentation skills, verbal and written, including fluency in spoken and written English.
• Must have an active driver’s license and a clean driving record.