Interior Design Manager

Hintel Middle East; Medina Province; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm is seeking an Interior Design Manager for a major mixed-use development in Saudi Arabia. You will lead and coordinate the interior design across various functions, ensuring high-quality cultural identity and compliance with brand standards. The ideal candidate has 7-10+ years of experience, particularly in hospitality projects, and possesses a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design. The role involves close collaboration with operators, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver exceptional spaces.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in interior design and/or management.
• Experience on large-scale hospitality and mixed-use projects.
• Direct experience coordinating with international hotel operators.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall interior design direction across multiple areas.
• Review and uplift consultant designs to meet project standards.
• Coordinate operator reviews and approvals for design submissions.

Skills

Interior Design

Project Management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or related field

Master’s degree (advantage)

Tools

Project management software

Job description

The Interior Design Manager will lead, coordinate and elevate all interior design scopes across a major mixed-use development—covering hospitality, residential, retail, F&B, cultural and public spaces—from concept through to IFC and handover.

You will be responsible for ensuring that:

• Interiors across the project reflect a unified, high-quality locally-inspired cultural identity;
• Designs meet international operator brand standards while remaining on budget and buildable;
• All interior design is fully coordinated with architecture, structure, MEP, infrastructure, landscape and specialist disciplines (including lighting design);
• The visitor and resident experience supports the Client's vision and delivers the lifestyle promise of the masterplan.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the overall interior design direction for project parcels (guest rooms, suites, corridors, public areas, F&B, retail, wellness, prayer areas, BOH, etc.) in line with project-specific design guidelines and the locally-inspired cultural identity.
• Review, challenge and uplift consultants’ concepts, mood boards, layouts, lighting strategies and material palettes to ensure they meet Client aspirations, operator expectations and project budgets.
• Champion interiors that support the storytelling of the project as a unique cultural and hospitality destination.

Design Management Across Stages

• Manage and track interior design deliverables across Concept, SD, DD, CD and IFC stages in line with agreed programmes and stage gates.
• Review and comment on:
• i. GA plans, RCPs, elevations, sections
• ii. Joinery and detailed drawings
• iii. Finishes schedules, ironmongery, sanitary ware
• iv. Interior lighting layouts and fixture schedules (with the lighting designer)
• v. Signage and wayfinding (where relevant)
• Ensure complete technical coordination of interior design with architecture, structure, MEP, FLS, IT/AV, infrastructure and landscape.
• Lead internal review meetings, consolidate multi-stakeholder feedback and issue clear, actionable comments to consultants.

Coordination with Operators & Stakeholders

• Serve as the primary interior design interface with hotel and other operators for the project.
• Coordinate operator reviews, comments and approvals for design submissions, sample rooms, mock-ups and lighting concepts where they impact brand standards and guest experience.
• Balance operator brand standards with the project’s unified identity, regional context and budgetary constraints.
• Work closely with the GM, Design Director, Technical Design Director, Cluster Senior Design Managers, cost consultants, planners and authority liaisons.

Cost, Value Engineering & Programme Support

• Work with cost consultants to ensure ID packages, including interior lighting scopes, remain within approved budgets and SAR/sqm benchmarks.
• Identify value-engineering options (materials, detailing, specifications, lighting fixture selections) without compromising guest experience, operator requirements or lifecycle quality.
• Support planning/programme teams by flagging design risks, constraints and opportunities, and propose mitigation measures.

Mock-Ups, Samples & Quality Control

• Define requirements for sample rooms, key public area mock-ups and material / lighting sample boards.
• Review and sign off mock-ups with operators and Client leadership to confirm design intent, lighting atmosphere, quality and constructability.
• Review and approve ID-related shop drawings, material submissions, lighting fixture submittals and contractor proposals.
• Support site teams through periodic inspections and design-clarification workshops to ensure interiors and lighting are delivered as designed.

Documentation, Standards & Processes

• Maintain a clear log of submissions, comments, approvals and outstanding actions for all interior scopes (including lighting coordination items).
• Contribute to and uphold Project-specific design guidelines, finishes manuals and design standards across clusters and building types.
• Use internal project management platforms to manage workflows, document control and communication.
• Guide and mentor internal junior architects / interior coordinators assigned to the project.
• Manage external interior design consultants and relevant specialists (lighting designers, signage / wayfinding, artwork), ensuring compliance with contracts, scopes of services and Client standards.
• Support procurement and evaluations for future ID and specialist appointments.
• Work closely with the appointed interior and façade lighting designers to ensure cohesive lighting concepts across guestrooms, public areas, F&B, circulation and key external interfaces.
• Review and comment on lighting concepts, layouts, fixture schedules, control strategies and mock-ups to ensure alignment with interior design intent, operator standards, energy requirements and maintenance considerations.
• Coordinate the integration of decorative, architectural and feature lighting with ceilings, joinery, artwork, signage, MEP services and façade elements to achieve a unified spatial experience.

Manage relationships

• Ensure open and transparent relationships coexist with Architects, Consultancy service providers, government agencies and authorities, Contractors and suppliers by fostering a non-adversarial approach to developing the project.
• Establishment of clear lines of communication and reports to Senior Management. Lead point of contact and management for all assigned project scopes.
• Attend all scheduled Client meetings regarding all aspects of the development life cycle as required.
• Responsible for assigned project teams. Building an internal reporting framework that cascades up to the General Manager.
• Provide leadership and direction to assigned project teams. Line management of employees as assigned, including management of employee productivity and performance. Develops a culture within his direct reports that is aligned with the organization's core values.

Qualifications / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture or Architectural Engineering; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Typically 7–10+ years of experience in interior design and/or interior design management.
• Proven experience on large-scale hospitality, mixed-use or high-end residential projects; exposure to master-planned or TOD projects is a plus.
• Direct experience coordinating with international hotel operators is highly desirable.
• Experience working with or alongside lighting designers on interior and/or façade lighting scopes is an advantage.