Interior Design Lead - Inns & Pubs

Thwaites; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wage stream access

Company car

Free parking

Health cash plan

Employee assistance

Enhanced parental pay

33 days annual leave

Free refreshments

Discounted stays

Pension & life assurance

Long service rewards

Job summary

Daniel Thwaites is seeking a Property Interior Design Lead to shape interiors across our Inns & Pubs estate. You will collaborate with Property, Operations and Creative teams to deliver authentic, design-led spaces that balance guest experience with commercial value.

This role requires a degree in Interior Design, multi-site hospitality design experience, a UK driving licence, willingness to travel nationwide, and strong communication to lead consultants and suppliers while advancing

Qualifications

• Degree-level Interior Design qualification.
• Experience delivering interior design projects in multi-site pub or hospitality.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Strong eye for detail, authenticity and craftsmanship.
• Passion for innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Ability to balance creativity with operational practicality.

Responsibilities

• Develop and present interior design schemes for refurbishment projects across our Inns & Pubs estate.
• Create timeless, high-quality design solutions that drive guest appeal and long-term business value.
• Act as the design lead on refurbishment projects, working closely with Property Managers, Operational teams, Quantity Surveyors, Architects and external consultants.
• Produce detailed design specifications, drawings and information packs to support project delivery.
• Develop and manage design standards and a design directory to ensure consistency, authenticity and quality across the estate.
• Review and approve designs produced by external consultants, ensuring alignment with brand and design standards.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and consultants, sourcing the most effective products and partners.
• Support long-term property planning by reviewing the estate and contributing to future capital investment plans.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant legislation, regulations and health & safety requirements.
• Champion sustainability by sourcing responsibly and considering environmental impact throughout the design process.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, competitor activity and emerging innovations to inform future developments.

Skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder management

Travel nationwide

Attention to detail

Sustainability focus

Creative vs practical

Driving licence

Education

Degree-level qualification in Interior Design

Job description

Property Interior Design Lead - Inns & Pubs

At Daniel Thwaites, we've been creating memorable hospitality experiences for over 200 years. Our portfolio of hotels, inns and pubs is built on a commitment to quality, authenticity and exceptional guest experiences. As we continue to invest in our estate, we're looking for a talented Property Interior Design Lead to help shape and evolve some of the most characterful hospitality venues in the UK.

Working closely with our Property, Operations and Creative teams, you'll play a pivotal role in developing inspiring interiors that balance commercial performance, operational practicality and outstanding design. From major refurbishments to estate-wide design standards, you'll help create spaces our guests love and our teams are proud to work in.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a creative minded Interior Design professional to help shape the future of our Inns & Pubs estate. You'll be passionate about creating authentic, timeless hospitality environments that enhance the guest experience while delivering long-term value to the business. You'll thrive in a fast-paced, multi-site environment and enjoy collaborating with operational, property and creative teams to bring design concepts to life.

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

• A degree-level qualification in Interior Design.
• Experience delivering interior design projects within a multi-site pub or hospitality business.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A strong eye for detail, quality, authenticity and craftsmanship.
• A passion for innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• The ability to balance creativity with operational practicality.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and present interior design schemes for refurbishment projects across our Inns & Pubs estate.
• Create timeless, high-quality design solutions that drive guest appeal and long-term business value.
• Act as the design lead on refurbishment projects, working closely with Property Managers, Operational teams, Quantity Surveyors, Architects and external consultants.
• Produce detailed design specifications, drawings and information packs to support project delivery.
• Develop and manage design standards and a design directory to ensure consistency, authenticity and quality across the estate.
• Review and approve designs produced by external consultants, ensuring alignment with brand and design standards.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and consultants, sourcing the most effective products and partners.
• Support long-term property planning by reviewing the estate and contributing to future capital investment plans.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant legislation, regulations and health & safety requirements.
• Champion sustainability by sourcing responsibly and considering environmental impact throughout the design process.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, competitor activity and emerging innovations to inform future developments.

Day-to-Day

No two days are the same in this varied and rewarding role. One day you could be developing concepts for an exciting refurbishment project, and the next you might be visiting properties across the estate to review standards, gather inspiration or evaluate recently completed work.

Typical activities include:

• Receiving and interpreting new project briefs.
• Creating design concepts, layouts and specifications.
• Collaborating with operational and property teams to refine design solutions.
• Visiting properties, suppliers and industry exhibitions.
• Reviewing completed projects and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluating competitor venues and emerging hospitality trends.
• Managing consultant designers and approving proposed design schemes.
• Working with suppliers to source fixtures, fittings and materials.
• Ensuring projects deliver exceptional quality, authenticity and guest experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a diverse hospitality estate, creating memorable guest environments while helping shape the future of our Inns & Pubs portfolio.

In return, we are offering a rewarding role with scope for career progression along with;

• A fun environment where you will receive the training and support to develop and progress
• Stream - the ability to access up to 40% of your wages as you earn them each week
• Company car
• Free parking
• Health cash plan with access to discounted perks
• Employee Assistance programme
• Enhances maternity and paternity pay
• 33 days annual leave
• Free tea, coffee and fruit
• Discounted accommodation, food and drink in our beautiful properties across the country
• Pension & Life assurance
• Long service awards, including free meals and free stays with your friends or family