Director, Aviation - Interior Architecture & Design

Waremalcomb; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Ware Malcomb is seeking a Director to lead our Aviation Interiors practice, driving design excellence, business growth, profitability and staff development. The role partners with senior management to deliver innovative aviation interiors and maintain high standards across all projects.

You will mentor teams, manage client relationships, lead proposals, and oversee budgets, forecasts and strategic direction to expand the practice within the aviation sector.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of interior design experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Experience growing an aviation interiors practice and managing client relationships.
• Registered Interior Designer, Licensed Architect, or NCIDQ preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finances, business development, operations, and team management.
• Ensure proposals and contracts are in place and signed off.
• Review project budget reports before contract execution.
• Lead and uphold design standards, with strategic direction at key milestones.
• Mentor and develop team members to elevate design capabilities and growth.

Skills

Client relationships

Team leadership

Design leadership

Business development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design or Architecture

Job description

The Director is a key member of the Ware Malcomb senior management team responsible for leading design, business growth, profitability, staff management, and client relationships for our Aviation Interiors practice. This role is focused on delivering innovative aviation interior environments while championing and maintaining design excellence across all projects, fostering a collaborative, team‑oriented culture and supporting overall business objectives. Responsibilities include growing the practice through high‑quality design leadership, strategic client engagement, financial performance, mentorship of team members, and continued expansion within the aviation sector.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finances, business development, operations, and team member management of the group.
• Take overall responsibility for ensuring all proposals and contracts (client and consultant) are in place.
• Review and sign off on all project budget reports before contract execution.
• Be responsible for the group's organizational charts and conduct a continuous review of office forecasts, financials, and current/future staffing needs with the Region's operations manager.
• Overall responsibility for the operations of the group, in collaboration with the Operations Manager.
• Lead and uphold the firm's design standards, ensuring a consistent level of design excellence, innovation, and quality across projects.
• Provide strategic design direction and oversight at key project milestones, reinforcing creative rigor, technical quality, and alignment with client goals.
• Ensure the positive culture, morale and general wellbeing of team.
• Review monthly project revenue projections and provide necessary weekly updates.
• Prepare a monthly business report and participate in monthly meetings.
• Responsible for business development and client relationships to increase market share and win work.
• Attend business development and networking functions. Set up regular networking meetings with client and industry contacts.
• Utilize Ware Malcomb CRM system to track all business development activity.
• Review of groups workload scheduled. Attend scheduling meetings.
• Proactively manage any/all project liability issues.
• Stay connected to the team with reoccurring scheduled meetings and communication.
• Collaborate with Ware Malcomb Talent Acquisition team to recruit new team members.
• Mentor and develop team members to elevate design capabilities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, critique, and professional growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience within the field of interior design
• Experience developing and maintaining client relationships in the Aviation market
• Prior experience leading a team or studio
• Proposals experience
• Registered Interior Designer, Licensed Architect, or NCIDQ Certification strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design or Architecture
• Ability to lead and foster a team environment

This is a full-time, long-term position.