Lead FF&E Designer

ArchiBat France Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Archibat Asia in London seeks a Lead FF&E Designer to spearhead the full FF&E design lifecycle for luxury hospitality and premium commercial projects. You will oversee furniture, lighting, finishes, and procurement across multiple international assignments, while guiding junior designers and coordinating with clients, suppliers and contractors.

You will source international suppliers, develop standards and manage budgets, ensuring high-quality deliverables and timely project completion.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of FF&E design experience in premium interiors.
• Experience leading FF&E on multiple projects and mentoring juniors.
• Strong knowledge of furniture construction, finishes and procurement.
• Excellent communication and ability to present to clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the FF&E design lifecycle from concept to site installation.
• Oversee selection, specification and scheduling of FF&E elements.
• Manage multiple international projects balancing scope, budget and schedule.
• Mentor junior FF&E designers and set work standards.
• Source FF&E items from UK and international suppliers and negotiate terms.
• Prepare tender packages, specifications and cost estimates; track budgets.
• Review shop drawings and samples for design compliance.
• Be the main FF&E contact for clients, suppliers and contractors.
• Attend design reviews, client workshops and coordination meetings.
• Develop FF&E design standards, asset libraries and supplier directories.

Skills

FF&E design

Project leadership

Client presentation

Cross-border collaboration

Budget & cost estimates

Education

Interior Design degree

Job description

Archibat Asia is looking for Lead FF&E Designer in London foran award-winning international multidisciplinary design practice and one of the Top 5 hospitality design firms in the GCC region.

With over 100 professionals across offices, they deliver architecture, interior design, project management, FF&E procurement and turnkey solutions across hospitality, commercial, retail, residential, workplace and mixed-use sectors worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full FF&E design lifecycle from concept development, mood boards and material palettes through to final specifications, tender documentation and site installation.
• Oversee selection, specification and scheduling of furniture, loose furnishings, lighting, artwork, accessories, sanitaryware and ironmongery across all project phases.
• Manage multiple concurrent international projects, balancing scope, budget, programme and quality across design and delivery stages.
• Supervise and mentor junior FF&E designers, setting work standards, reviewing deliverables and fostering technical and creative growth within the team.
• Source and curate FF&E items from UK, European and international manufacturers, suppliers and craftspeople, negotiating pricing, lead times and customisation options.
• Prepare full FF&E tender packages, specifications, schedules and cost estimates; track budgets and conduct value engineering where required.
• Review shop drawings, cut sheets, finish samples and mock-ups to verify compliance with design specifications, quality standards and project requirements.
• Act as the primary FF&E point of contact for clients, suppliers and contractors, resolving design and delivery issues promptly and professionally.
• Attend design review meetings, client workshops and project coordination meetings across our international office network.
• Develop and maintain FF&E design standards, digital asset libraries, material databases and supplier directories.

Requirements

• 7+ years of professional FF&E design experience within a premium interior design practice, with a proven track record on luxury hospitality, high-end commercial or luxury residential projects.
• Demonstrable experience leading FF&E design on multiple projects and mentoring/line-managing junior design team members.
• Deep knowledge of furniture construction, upholstery, materials, finishes, lighting specifications and FF&E procurement processes.
• Strong understanding of design phases, tender processes, contract administration and site installation practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident presenting design work to clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience working on cross-border projects and collaborating with multicultural teams; willingness to travel internationally for site visits and client meetings.
• Degree in Interior Design, Furniture Design or a related design discipline.