Interior Design Director – Global Hotel Developer
Location: London, UK (world travel involved) Salary: 100,000+ (DOE, plus benefits package) Reports to: Chief Development Director
The Role
We are looking for a interior Design Director – or Global Design Director – to take full ownership of the interior design vision and execution across our international portfolio of luxury hotels. This is a rare opportunity for a proven creative leader to shape the aesthetic identity of a growing global hospitality brand, working across multiple markets, cultures, and property types. You will be the driving creative force behind every hotel in the portfolio – from concept and brand storytelling through to final styling and guest experience. You’ll sit at the intersection of design, brand, and operations, ensuring every property delivers a distinctive, best-in-class interior that reflects the highest standards of luxury hospitality. This role demands a genuine industry powerhouse: someone with the taste, network, and authority to set direction – and the operational rigour to see it through, on time, on brand, on budget.
Key Responsibilities
Creative Leadership & Vision
- Define and own the global design vision and creative direction across all hotel properties, ensuring a cohesive yet locally-inspired identity for each destination.
- Set and maintain design standards, brand guidelines, and quality benchmarks across the entire portfolio.
- Lead concept development for new openings, renovations, and rebranding projects, from initial vision through to final sign-off.
- Stay ahead of global design trends, luxury hospitality benchmarks, and emerging talent to keep the brand at the forefront of the industry.
Team & Studio Management
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing global design team, including in-house designers and regional leads.
- Manage relationships with external architects, interior design studios, FF&E specialists, and artisans across multiple geographies.
- Foster a culture of creative excellence, collaboration, and accountability across all design functions.
Industry Network & Relationships
- Leverage an established black book of relationships with leading interior designers, architects, artisans, suppliers, and luxury brands to bring exceptional talent and craftsmanship to every project.
- Represent the brand at industry events, design fairs, and press engagements as the face of the company’s design identity.
- Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with luxury brands, artists, and craftspeople for bespoke collaborations.
Project & Stakeholder Management
- Oversee design delivery across multiple concurrent hotel projects worldwide, ensuring alignment with programme, budget, and brand standards.
- Act as the senior creative point of contact for owners, operators, hotel brand representatives, and investors.
- Work closely with development, construction, and operations teams to ensure design intent is preserved from concept through to completion.
- Manage design budgets and procurement strategy, balancing creative ambition with commercial reality.
Quality & Brand Standards
- Conduct design reviews and site visits across the global portfolio to ensure consistency and quality control.
- Ensure all properties reflect the brand’s positioning within the luxury market and respond sensitively to local culture and context.
What We’re Looking For
- 10+ years’ experience in luxury hospitality interior design, with a strong portfolio of high-end hotel projects delivered internationally.
- A significant, well-established network (“little black book”) of designers, architects, artisans, and suppliers within the luxury hospitality space.
- Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and leading design delivery across multiple simultaneous international projects.
- Deep knowledge of prime hotel design – from 5-star flagship properties to boutique luxury concepts – and an instinct for what defines a truly exceptional guest experience.
- Strong commercial acumen: experience managing budgets, procurement, and supplier negotiations at scale.
- Confident, credible presence with owners, operators, and brand stakeholders – someone who can command a room and hold their own with the most demanding clients.
- A natural leader and decision-maker: someone who takes charge, sets direction, and drives projects to completion without losing sight of design integrity.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively and work across multiple time zones and cultures.
- Degree or postgraduate qualification in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field preferred.
What We Offer
- Base salary 100,000+ (dependent on experience)
- Performance-related bonus
- Extensive international travel
- The opportunity to shape the creative identity of a growing global luxury hotel portfolio
- A senior leadership role with genuine autonomy and influence
This is a high-visibility, high-impact leadership position for someone who wants to leave their mark on the global luxury hospitality landscape – a true powerhouse ready to take full ownership of design excellence across our portfolio.
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