Senior Project Designer

WATG Holdings, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WATG is seeking a Senior Project Designer for our London office. The role leads design direction for mid-size to large hospitality projects, overseeing documentation and ensuring continuity from concept through development, in partnership with the Project Manager and Project Architect.

The Senior Project Designer mentors the team, supports marketing efforts, and upholds quality control while meeting timelines and budgets.

Qualifications

• Professional degree from an appropriate accredited institution.
• 15+ years of experience in the hospitality design of mid-size to large architectural projects, including urban and resort hotels.
• Licensure and/or professional certification as appropriate.
• Proficiency in software skills, including Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, and Sketch-Up.
• Sketching skills required.
• Experienced in client management, project management, and negotiations.
• Ability to work in a team environment and supervise and motivate others.
• Ability to meet deadlines consistently and effectively.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication.
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills to effectively communicate design concepts.
• Highly effective management and leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple project priorities while consistently achieving results.

Responsibilities

• Project-focused, leads design execution on specific projects, ensuring they meet client expectations, design intent through all phases, budgets and schedules.
• Leads multiple design teams on specific projects and ensures quality control and consistency.
• Works directly with clients to meet project-specific goals.
• Is deeply involved in project management and delivery.
• Confirms that the design follows the contractual agreement with the client and that the project is on schedule and within budget.
• Oversees the design team in ensuring that documentation for all phases of design conforms to quality assurance, quality control, and best practice standards.
• Proposes and develops effective design solutions to design problems to meet project goals.
• Verifies that project needs and design intent are met by effectively managing design staff and ensuring the efficient utilization of resources.
• Monitors design concepts through the design development phases.
• Works with the design team in prioritizing, planning and executing several projects efficiently.
• Understands and implements processes that reduce risks and exposure.
• Establishes and fosters a commitment to ongoing, positive and productive internal and external client relationships and service.
• Regularly communicates with internal team and client representatives to verify design requirements and specifications, progress reviews, and design delivery are on target.
• Supports the marketing and business development activities of the studio when needed.
• Mentors and develops team members, providing ongoing performance feedback to enhance team performance and contributions.

Skills

Team leadership

Client management

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Professional degree in architecture

Licensure / certification

Tools

Revit

Rhino

Grasshopper

SketchUp

Job description

WATG is the world’s preeminent destination and hospitality design firm. We are employee-owned, home to more than 500 professionals globally, located remotely and in our offices in Atlantic City, California, Dallas, New York, Honolulu, London, Singapore, and Shanghai.

Our approach to design applies a hospitality ethos to the development of all shapes and sizes. From initial feasibility studies to finishing touches, we operate globally as an integrated, multidisciplinary practice. Along with our interior design studio, Wimberly Interiors , we specialize in hospitality, gaming + entertainment, urban + mixed-use, and high-end residential design.

We were founded in Honolulu in 1945, and the spirit of the islands taught us to focus on community strength, self-reliance, and sustainability – which we still prioritize today. We passionately believe that culture and heritage are the roots that lead to long-term resilience. We stay true to our values of designing spaces that respect, protect, and enhance the natural magic of their surroundings while delivering long-term value for our clients and their communities.

WATG is hiring a Senior Project Designer for our office in London.

ROLE

The Senior Project Designer is responsible for establishing overall design direction, developing architectural designs, and overseeing documentation for mid-size to large-scale projects. This role provides leadership throughout the design phases, ensuring continuity from concept through design development while managing project financial performance and team communication in partnership with the Project Manager and Project Architect. The Senior Project Designer leads teams, proposes design solutions, monitors project progress, and maintains positive client relationships. The Senior Project Designer mentors the team, supports marketing efforts, and upholds quality control standards while meeting project timelines and budgets.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project-focused, leads design execution on specific projects, ensuring they meet client expectations, design intent through all phases, budgets and schedules
• Leads multiple design teams on specific projects and ensures quality control and consistency
• Works directly with clients to meet project-specific goals
• Is deeply involved in project management and delivery
• Confirms that the design follows the contractual agreement with the client and that the project is on schedule and within budget
• Oversees the design team in ensuring that documentation for all phases of design conforms to quality assurance, quality control, and best practice standards
• Proposes and develops effective design solutions to design problems to meet project goals
• Verifies that project needs and design intent are met by effectively managing design staff and ensuring the efficient utilization of resources
• Monitors design concepts through the design development phases
• Works with the design team in prioritizing, planning and executing several projects efficiently
• Understands and implements processes that reduce risks and exposure
• Establishes and fosters a commitment to ongoing, positive and productive internal and external client relationships and service
• Regularly communicates with internal team and client representatives to verify design requirements and specifications, progress reviews, and design delivery are on target
• Supports the marketing and business development activities of the studio when needed
• Mentors and develops team members, providing ongoing performance feedback to enhance team performance and contributions

QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional degree from an appropriate accredited institution
• 15+ years of experience in the hospitality design of mid-size to large architectural projects, including urban and resort hotels
• Licensure and/or professional certification as appropriate
• Proficiency in software skills, including Revit. Rhino, Grasshopper, and Sketch-Up
• Sketching skills required
• Experienced in client management, project management, and negotiations
• Ability to work in a team environment and supervise and motivate others
• Ability to meet deadlines consistently and effectively
• Highly effective written and verbal communication
• Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills to effectively communicate design concepts
• Highly effective management and leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple project priorities while consistently achieving results