Senior Interior Designer

KAI Interiors; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A design company in London is seeking an experienced Interior Designer to lead hospitality projects. The ideal candidate will have over 6 years of experience in the hospitality sector, strong CAD skills, and the ability to manage and mentor a team. This full-time role requires being office-based in Hackney and offers a starting salary of £45,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in Hospitality Interior Design.
• Strong skills in Space Planning and Construction Drawings.
• Ability to manage time efficiently and generate/manage schedules.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualisation and development of interior design projects.
• Oversee multiple projects managing timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Engage with clients to understand their vision and present design proposals.

Skills

CAD software skills

Space Planning

Interior Design

Communication skills

Time management

Education

6+ years experience in Hospitality Interior Design

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

PhotoShop

InDesign

MS Office

Job description

Overview

KAI Interiors is an award-winning, female-led London design company specialising in exceptional hospitality, residential, wellbeing, and workspace projects. Our Mission is to design inspiring spaces that cultivate social connection and collective wellbeing. Our values guide how KAI Interiors operates and what we stand for: Synergy, Collaboration, Curiosity, Longevity.

Key Responsibilities

• Meeting potential new clients and carrying out initial consultations and converting leads.
• Creating fee estimates, ensuring you have taken on board previous learnings from time tracking.
• Design Development: Lead the conceptualisation and development of interior design projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and project goals.
• Business development ideas: constantly considering how we can grow, better streamline and become a more profitable business.
• Managing the team and their workload, ensuring everyone has a solid work-life balance.
• Discussing monthly monetary targets with Director and considering project timelines to hit them and workload.
• Team training sessions: considering what we need to be better and more effective.
• Client Interaction: Engage with clients to understand their vision, preferences, and requirements; present design proposals and revisions effectively.
• Project Management: Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, managing timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful project delivery.
• Collaboration: Work closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to integrate design concepts with structural and technical requirements.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-weight designers, fostering their professional growth and skill development.
• Research & Trends: Stay updated on industry trends, materials, technologies, and sustainable practices to inform design decisions.
• Technical Documentation: Prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and presentations using design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp); carefully checking team drawings for errors.
• Site Visits: Conduct site visits to monitor project progress and ensure adherence to design specifications.
• End of project reviews: Check products are all correct in line with the schedule; overall review of profitability and time tracking.
• Project administration: ensuring our processes are implemented with the team and followed.
• Recruitment of new team members: Supporting in interviews. Correspondence with office manager ensuring project invoices are sent out on time.
• Updating and researching systems and software that can enable the team to work more efficiently.

Software & Experience

• Advanced skills in using CAD software fluently, 2D and 3D. Experience in PhotoShop, InDesign, SketchUp, and MS Office.
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in Hospitality Interior Design. History of employment within the hospitality sector advantageous (e.g., bartending or floor staff, operations).
• Strong skills in Space Planning and Construction Drawings. Experience in Interior Design, including concept development and design documentation, lighting design and styling.
• Knowledge of FF&E selection (materials, finishes, detailing, and scheduling). Experienced in presenting designs to large groups and managing clients and contractors.

You

• Self-confident and receptive to constructive feedback.
• Ability to manage time, generate/manage schedules, and manage project workflows efficiently.
• Quality experience dealing with contractors, sub-teams on site, including Architects and Engineers.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written, and visual; exceptional attention to detail; ability to understand and generate plans creatively.
• Good communication skills and ability to present at a high level; strong interpersonal skills, detail-oriented, and able to manage and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Proactive about managing internal deadlines and standards of design.
• Visualization and explanation of concepts to others.
• Developing detailed designs and choosing materials.
• Delivering design with a strong narrative linked to brand ideals.
• Working in both 2D and 3D to communicate design intent.
• Preparing visual packages for visual artists.
• Managing the creative process on assigned spaces through to finished CGI.

Join Us

If you are a motivated, driven, and passionate individual with a keen eye for design and a desire to push boundaries, we want to hear from you. We seek someone who is full of energy and eager to lead a team of designers and grow the business with us. At KAI Interiors, we value creativity, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. To apply, please submit your CV, portfolio and salary expectations to our info email. We look forward to welcoming you to our dynamic and forward-thinking team. Please note this position is office based in Hackney, London. Do not apply if you are looking for hybrid working. Thank you.

Experience & Employment Details

Experience: Required

Employment: Full-time

Schedule: Monday - Thursday 9am-5:30pm, Friday 9am-3pm

Salary: from £45,000 yearly

Starting time: Immediate start!

About KAI Interiors: KAI Interiors is an award-winning, female-led London design company specialising in exceptional hospitality, residential, wellbeing, and workspace projects. Our Mission is to design inspiring spaces that cultivate social connection.