Design Manager

Planning Recruitment Limited; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Lead design team

International opportunities

Job summary

Planning Recruitment Limited is representing a leading global design company seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead the design management of luxury airport hospitality lounges. The role balances design leadership with hands-on project delivery across multiple stakeholders to safeguard the creative vision.

You will mentor a small design team, oversee design packages and FF&E, and ensure projects meet quality, programme and commercial expectations, while delivering exceptional interiors in

Qualifications

• Interior design background with progression to Design Manager.
• Strong FF&E knowledge and experience.
• Experience as a Design Manager.
• Experience delivering luxury hospitality or hotel interiors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design management of luxury airport hospitality lounge projects.
• Manage projects through design and delivery stages.
• Coordinate internal designers, external consultants, suppliers and other project stakeholders.
• Oversee and review design packages, specifications and FF&E.
• Manage programmes, deliverables and design information.
• Maintain design quality and protect the creative vision throughout delivery.
• Lead, support and mentor a small design team.
• Remain involved in the creative process where required.

Skills

Interior design

Interior architecture

Design management

Team leadership

FF&E knowledge

Project coordination

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Design Manager to join a leading global design company, working on the creation and delivery of high-end hospitality lounges within major airports.

The business specialises in creating exceptional environments that transform the airport experience. These are far removed from traditional airport interiors – the focus is on delivering sophisticated, beautifully considered spaces that provide customers with the comfort, quality and atmosphere of a luxury hotel.

The Role

This is predominantly a Design Management position, with approximately 80% of your time focused on project and design management and 20% remaining hands‑on and design focused.

You will take responsibility for projects throughout the design and delivery process, ensuring the original creative vision is maintained while coordinating the numerous stakeholders, consultants and suppliers required to successfully deliver these environments.

You will also lead and mentor a small design team, providing direction, reviewing design work and ensuring projects are delivered to the required quality, programme and commercial expectations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the design management of luxury airport hospitality lounge projects
• Managing projects through the design and delivery stages
• Coordinating internal designers, external consultants, suppliers and other project stakeholders
• Overseeing and reviewing design packages, specifications and FF&E
• Managing programmes, deliverables and design information
• Maintaining design quality and protecting the creative vision throughout delivery
• Leading, supporting and mentoring a small design team
• Remaining involved in the creative process where required

About You

We are particularly interested in candidates who started their career within interior design and have subsequently progressed into a Design Manager position.

You will ideally have:

• A strong background in Interior Design / Interior Architecture
• Excellent FF&E knowledge and experience
• Previous experience working as a Design Manager
• Experience delivering high-quality hospitality, hotel, leisure or similarly design‑led interior environments
• Strong project management and coordination skills
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants and suppliers
• The ability to balance creative design ambitions with the practical requirements of project delivery
• Experience leading or mentoring designers

This opportunity would suit someone who still has a genuine passion for design but now enjoys taking greater responsibility for leading teams, coordinating projects and ensuring exceptional interiors are successfully delivered.

What’s on Offer?

The company offers an excellent working environment and benefits package, including:

• 28 days' holiday + Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to lead a talented design team
• Career opportunities within an international design business.

If you are an experienced Design Manager with a strong interior design and FF&E background looking for a role where you can combine creative thinking with project leadership, we would be delighted to hear from you.