Design Director

DB & B PTE LTD; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design firm in Singapore is seeking a Design Director to lead the design vision and strategy from concept to completion. This role involves mentoring a team of designers, engaging closely with clients to understand their needs, and ensuring high design quality across projects. The ideal candidate has a degree in Interior Design or Architecture, at least 15 years of relevant experience, and a strong portfolio demonstrating creativity and execution. The company promotes sustainability and innovation in design.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience with proven leadership in workplace design.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual strength, creativity, and design execution.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design vision and creative strategy for projects from concept to completion.
• Engage with clients to understand their culture, needs, and strategic objectives.
• Mentor, inspire, and grow a team of designers across various levels.
• Work closely with project management, technical, and QS teams to ensure design integrity.
• Establish and uphold design standards to ensure consistency and excellence across projects.

Skills

Creative leadership

Client engagement

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Sustainability principles

Innovative thinking

Education

Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related discipline

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Job description

The Design Director plays a pivotal leadership role in driving design direction, elevating creative excellence, and inspiring multidisciplinary teams. This individual leads concept development, ensures the highest standards of design quality, and partners closely with clients, business development, and project teams to bring bold ideas to life.

You will champion innovation, mentor designers, and uphold DB&B’s design philosophy, transforming insights and imagination into meaningful and impactful built environments.

1. Creative Leadership & Design Direction

• Lead the design vision and creative strategy for projects from concept to completion.
• Oversee and review all design deliverables to ensure quality, innovation, and brand alignment.
• Provide design critiques, guidance, and creative solutions to strengthen project outcomes.
• Stay ahead of design trends, materials, workplace strategy insights, and new technologies.

2. Client Engagement & Strategic Partnership

• Engage with clients to understand their culture, needs, and strategic objectives.
• Translate business and operational insights into compelling spatial solutions.
• Present concepts, lead design discussions, and build trusted relationships with key clients.
• Partner with Business Development to support pitch submissions and winning strategies.

3. Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Mentor, inspire, and grow a team of designers across various levels.
• Cultivate a collaborative and high-performance design culture rooted in DB&B’s values.
• Identify development opportunities and nurture designers’ creative and technical skills.
• Foster an environment that encourages innovation, curiosity, and continuous learning.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Project Management, Technical, and QS teams to ensure design integrity is executed through build.
• Guide materiality, specifications, and spatial detailing.
• Ensure alignment between design vision, project timeline, feasibility, and budget.
• Collaborate with leadership on internal design initiatives and design standards.

5. Design Governance & Quality Excellence

• Establish and uphold design standards to ensure consistency and excellence across projects.
• Lead design audits and implement best practices to strengthen DB&B’s design framework.
• Champion sustainability, wellness principles, and innovative solutions in workplace design.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, with proven leadership in workplace design.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual strength, creativity, and design execution.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Strong client-facing experience with the ability to influence and guide decision-making.
• Knowledge of design tools such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, etc.