Senior Interior Designer (SITE)

LNR Consultancy; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

LNR Consultancy in Abu Dhabi invites a Senior Interior Designer – Site Execution to lead on-site interior design and fit-out activities for luxury hospitality and residential projects, ensuring alignment with approved drawings, specs, schedules, and UAE codes.

You will report to the Resident Engineer, coordinate with the Interior Design Consultant, client, PMC, and contractors; supervise shop drawings, samples, RFIs, and site inspections; drive value engineering, progress reporting, and handover

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field.
• 12–15 years’ interior design experience with at least 5 years in senior/site roles.
• Proven delivery of high-end hospitality projects in UAE, including five-star hotels & luxury developments.
• Strong knowledge of UAE building codes, safety standards, and local regulations.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit; SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite a plus.
• Excellent English communication and leadership/coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate day-to-day site activities related to interior design and fit-out.
• Review shop drawings, samples, method statements, and technical docs for compliance.
• Coordinate with contractors and subcontractors to ensure design intent and constructability.
• Conduct regular site inspections to monitor progress and quality.
• Prepare and review design development and construction drawing packages.
• Attend client and design coordination meetings and record MOMs.
• Manage snagging, de-snagging, testing, and handover processes.
• Ensure compliance with UAE codes and health and safety standards.
• Provide leadership to junior designers on site.

Skills

Leadership

Coordination

Project management

Quality assurance

Site execution

Client liaison

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

SketchUp

Photoshop

InDesign

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The Senior Interior Designer – Site Execution will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all interior design and fit-out activities on site, ensuring that the works are executed in accordance with approved design drawings, specifications, project schedules, quality standards, and applicable local authority requirements.

The role requires a highly experienced, hands-on interior design professional with strong technical and site execution expertise, particularly within high-end hospitality and residential projects. The successful candidate will work closely with the Resident Engineer, Interior Design Consultant, client, PMC, contractors, consultants, and project teams to ensure the successful delivery of the interior design scope.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

Report directly to the Resident Engineer and maintain close coordination with the Interior Design Consultant, client, PMC, consultants, and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate all day-to-day site activities related to interior design, finishes, and fit-out works.
• Review contractors’ submissions, including shop drawings, material samples, material submittals, method statements, fixtures, finishes, and technical documentation, ensuring compliance with approved designs, specifications, and local authority requirements.
• Work closely with contractors and specialist subcontractors to ensure design intent, buildability, constructability, and execution feasibility.
• Conduct regular site inspections to monitor progress, workmanship, quality, and compliance with approved drawings and specifications.
• Identify, coordinate, and resolve site issues, design clashes, and technical challenges across interior design, architecture, MEP, structural, and other disciplines.
• Respond to and coordinate Requests for Information (RFIs) related to interior design, working with the design office and project lead to provide timely and practical solutions.
• Review proposed design alternatives and provide recommendations for value engineering and cost optimization, while maintaining design intent and quality.
• Monitor the progress of interior works and provide input into project programmes, schedules, and progress reporting.
• Coordinate with procurement and project teams regarding material availability, delivery schedules, storage, installation sequencing, and site requirements.
• Prepare and present interior design concepts, finishes, materials, and FF&E selections to the client and project team as required.
• Attend client, technical, design coordination, and site meetings, providing technical input and recording key discussions and actions through Minutes of Meeting (MOM).
• Take responsibility for ensuring that the interior design requirements are clearly understood and delivered in line with the client’s expectations.
• Manage the review and approval process for site mock-ups, material samples, finishes, and prototypes with the client and PMC.
• Provide practical and design-focused solutions to site issues, coordination challenges, and construction-related concerns.
• Monitor and manage the snagging, de-snagging, testing, inspection, and handover processes for interior works.
• Ensure that all works comply with applicable UAE building codes, local authority regulations, health and safety requirements, and project standards.
• Maintain a strong knowledge base of interior finishes, FF&E, joinery, millwork, architectural hardware, sanitary ware, plumbing fixtures, appliances, and premium international brands available in the local market.
• Produce and review detailed interior design and construction drawing packages, ensuring accuracy and coordination with site requirements.
• Prepare and submit monthly progress and status reports covering interior design and fit-out activities.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and maintain a high level of design quality throughout project execution.
• Provide direction, leadership, and technical support to junior designers and site-based team members where required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• 12-15 years of relevant professional experience in interior design, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior/site-based role.
• Proven experience delivering high-end hospitality projects in the UAE, with a strong track record in the successful delivery of five-star hotels and luxury hospitality developments.
• Demonstrated experience working on large-scale hospitality projects, including hotels, restaurants, and high-end residential developments.
• Strong understanding of UAE building codes, regulations, authority requirements, and health and safety standards.
• Extensive technical knowledge of joinery, casework, millwork, bespoke interiors, and built-in elements.
• Strong knowledge of premium and international FF&E brands, plumbing fixtures, appliances, sanitary ware, architectural hardware, and interior finishes.
• Proven ability to interpret and execute interior design concepts and detailed construction documentation on site.
• Experience with relevant design and technical software, including AutoCAD and Revit.
• Proficiency in SketchUp, Photoshop, InDesign, and other Adobe Creative Suite applications is an advantage.
• Experience with interior fit-out contractors is highly advantageous.
• Strong written and spoken English, with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership, coordination, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and workstreams simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, PMC teams, suppliers, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing and the practical execution of interior design works.
• Ability to produce and review detailed design development and construction drawing packages.
• Good freehand/hand-sketching skills with the ability to communicate and demonstrate design ideas visually.
• Strong ability to make timely, practical, and informed decisions in a fast-paced site environment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining quality, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• 6 Day working week

Preferred Skills

• Proactive, hands-on, and solutions-oriented approach to site execution.
• Positive and collaborative team attitude with strong interpersonal skills.
• Creative mindset with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.
• Strong professional integrity, accountability, and work ethic.
• Highly organized, efficient, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to establish and improve work processes, standards, and best practices.
• Professional appearance, confident communication style, and positive personality.
• Strong team management and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across multidisciplinary