Design Director - Manila Based

Annexion Partners Pte Ltd; Manila; On-site; PHP 2,400,000 - 4,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Annexion Partners Pte Ltd in Manila seeks an experienced Design Director to lead its growing design team. You will set the creative vision for luxury hospitality, resorts and high-end residences from concept through delivery, coordinating with international studios, architects and clients to ensure design excellence.

The role requires a 15+ year track record in senior design leadership, a stellar portfolio of luxury projects, and strong client presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant design experience with luxury hospitality.
• Proven experience in a senior design leadership position.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating luxury hotels, resorts, branded residences or other premium hospitality environments.
• Experience managing international projects and working with global hospitality brands, developers or design consultancies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall creative vision and design direction for luxury hospitality, resort, branded residential and high-end residential projects, from concept development through project completion.
• Oversee the development of innovative design concepts, ensuring alignment with client objectives, brand identity, cultural influences and project requirements.
• Manage multiple international design projects, ensuring design excellence, timely delivery, budget adherence and compliance with established quality standards.
• Provide creative and technical guidance across space planning, material selection, FF&E, design detailing and overall design development.
• Lead client presentations, design reviews and stakeholder discussions, translating client requirements into compelling and commercially viable design solutions.
• Collaborate closely with architects, project managers, technical designers, consultants and international studios to ensure seamless project coordination and execution.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing design team in Manila, fostering creativity, collaboration, professional growth and consistent design quality.
• Support business development initiatives, including design pitches, project proposals and client relationship management, while contributing to the strategic growth of the Manila studio.

Skills

Design leadership

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Multidisciplinary team leadership

Budget awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture/Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

We are partnering with a global architecture and interior design consultancy renowned for its expertise in luxury hospitality, resorts, high-end residential and destination developments. Known for creating distinctive spaces inspired by local culture and surroundings, our client is seeking an experienced Design Director to join and lead its growing team in Manila, Philippines.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the overall creative vision and design direction for luxury hospitality, resort, branded residential and high-end residential projects, from concept development through project completion.
• Oversee the development of innovative design concepts, ensuring alignment with client objectives, brand identity, cultural influences and project requirements.
• Manage multiple international design projects, ensuring design excellence, timely delivery, budget adherence and compliance with established quality standards.
• Provide creative and technical guidance across space planning, material selection, FF&E, design detailing and overall design development.
• Lead client presentations, design reviews and stakeholder discussions, translating client requirements into compelling and commercially viable design solutions.
• Collaborate closely with architects, project managers, technical designers, consultants and international studios to ensure seamless project coordination and execution.
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing design team in Manila, fostering creativity, collaboration, professional growth and consistent design quality.
• Support business development initiatives, including design pitches, project proposals and client relationship management, while contributing to the strategic growth of the Manila studio.

Key qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant design experience, with substantial exposure to luxury hospitality and high-end interior design projects.
• Proven experience in a senior design leadership position, such as Design Director, Associate Design Director, Creative Director or equivalent.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating luxury hotels, resorts, branded residences or other premium hospitality environments.
• Experience managing international projects and working with global hospitality brands, developers or design consultancies.
• Strong conceptual design capabilities, with an excellent understanding of space planning, materials, finishes, FF&E and design detailing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, presentation and client relationship management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness, including project budgets, design deliverables and timelines.
• Proficiency in relevant design and presentation software, such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite and other industry-standard tools.
• Experience working with international architecture or interior design practices will be highly advantageous.