Head of Design Operations

Keller Executive Search; Paris (TX); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work (2 days remote)

Relocation assistance to Paris

French statutory annual leave (25 days

Job summary

Keller Executive Search is representing a Paris-based architecture and design firm seeking a Head of Design Operations to lead a team of designers and technical staff, manage budgets and workloads, and ensure outputs meet international standards.

The role requires French proficiency, eligibility to work in France, and a hybrid working pattern with approximately 2 days of remote work per week, plus travel across Europe.

Qualifications

• Experience in an operational leadership role within architecture, design or construction.
• Proven track record managing design or technical teams and budgets.
• Ability to challenge technical plans without producing concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on operational leadership to design professionals and external resources across concept development and technical design phases.
• Manage workload allocation, resourcing and scheduling to meet deadlines.
• Own budget oversight and cost control across the design function.
• Review and quality-check technical plans to ensure compliance with standards.
• Act as client-facing contact for international clients on design delivery.
• Strategically deploy freelancers to scale the team.
• Coach and develop a high-performing design team.
• Partner with pre-construction and delivery teams for seamless handover.
• Report to senior leadership on performance, status and resourcing needs.

Skills

Operational leadership

Team management

Budgeting

Client-facing

French proficiency

Tools

Revit

Job description

Our client is an established architecture and design firm specialising in large-scale workplace projects across France and wider Europe. As the business enters its next phase of growth, they are seeking a Head of Design Operations to take operational ownership of the design function which includes leading a team of designers and technical staff, managing budgets and workload, and ensuring every concept and technical output meets the standard their international clients expect.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands‑on operational leadership to design professionals and external freelance resources, across concept development and technical design phases.
• Manage workload allocation, resourcing and scheduling so the team delivers reliably and to deadline.
• Own budget oversight and cost control across the design function.
• Review, challenge and quality‑check technical plans and design outputs before they go to clients, ensuring they meet required technical, accessibility and regulatory standards.
• Act as a key client‑facing point of contact on design quality and delivery for international clients on large‑scale workplace projects.
• Strategically deploy freelance and external resources for technical or lower‑value tasks to support the team's ability to scale.
• Coach, mentor and develop a team of creative and technical professionals, building a stable, high‑performing team culture.
• Partner closely with the pre‑construction and delivery teams to ensure a seamless handover of projects from concept through to completion.
• Report to senior leadership on team performance, project status and resourcing needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience in an operational leadership role within architecture, interior design, workplace fit‑out or construction, gained in a design, delivery or technical management capacity.
• Proven track record managing and developing teams of design or technical professionals, including workload planning and resourcing.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing project budgets and cost control.
• Strong technical literacy, with the ability to read, review and challenge technical and design plans, even without personally producing creative concepts.
• Client‑facing experience, with the ability to build trust with international clients.
• Professional working proficiency in French.
• Eligibility to work in France, or to obtain the relevant right to work.

• Base salary: €75,000 to €90,000 gross per annum, commensurate with experience, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate.
• Variable incentive: To be confirmed and discussed with shortlisted candidates.
• Working pattern: Hybrid, 2 days of remote work per week.
• Travel: Approximately 5% of time, across European project sites.
• Leave: French statutory annual leave entitlement (minimum 25 working days). Any additional leave or benefits to be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.

To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit Keller Executive Search: Recruitment and Headhunting Paris

VERSION FRANÇAISE (version courte)

Directeur / Directrice des Opérations Design (H/F) | Paris, France (Télétravail partiel)

Cabinet d'architecture et de design reconnu, spécialisé dans les grands projets d'aménagement d'espaces de travail en France et en Europe, recherche un Directeur ou une Directrice des Opérations Design pour piloter une équipe d'environ huit personnes : budgets, charge de travail et qualité technique. Poste opérationnel, pas de direction créative, avec une réelle autonomie et le soutien de la direction générale.

Responsabilités Principales

• Piloter une équipe design d'environ 8 personnes, plus des ressources freelance.
• Gérer la charge de travail, le planning et l'allocation des ressources.
• Superviser les budgets et le contrôle des coûts.
• Contrôler la qualité des plans techniques avant transmission aux clients.
• Être l'interlocuteur clé des clients internationaux sur la qualité et la livraison.
• Rendre compte à la direction générale.

Qualifications Requises

• Expérience en direction opérationnelle (architecture, design d'intérieur, aménagement ou construction).
• Management d'équipes techniques ou créatives, budgets inclus.
• Capacité à challenger des plans techniques, même sans produire de concepts créatifs.
• Français professionnel courant.
• Droit de travailler en France.

Qualifications Souhaitées

• Formation architecte ou designer d'intérieur (non indispensable).
• Connaissance de Revit.
• Anglais courant.
• Expérience en aménagement d'espaces de travail.

Package de Rémunération

• Salaire : 75 000 à 90 000 € brut/an, selon expérience.
• Télétravail : 2 jours/semaine.
• Déplacements : environ 5 %.
• Relocalisation : aide disponible pour Paris.
• Congés : minimum légal français (25 jours ouvrés).

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity

Keller Executive Search and our clients consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under EU and national law.

Commitment to Diversity

We foster an inclusive work environment and value the cultural diversity across EU member states.

Reasonable Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in line with EU Directive 2000/78/EC.

Compensation and Pay Equity

Where required by law, salary information is disclosed, and we're committed to equal pay for equal work under Directive 2006/54/EC.

Workplace Harassment

Harassment based on any protected characteristic is strictly prohibited.

Working Time and Health and Safety

We comply with EU Directives 2003/88/EC and 89/391/EEC, and national laws, on working hours, leave, and workplace safety.

Use of AI in Recruitment

AI tools may support candidate review, but never make hiring decisions. All final decisions are made by human recruiters.

Data Protection

Personal data is processed under the GDPR. See our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.

Works Councils and Employee Representation

We respect employees' rights to works council and collective representation under Directive 2009/38/EC.

National and Country‑Specific Law

We comply with the employment law of each EU member state, which takes precedence where it offers stronger protections. For country‑specific details, contact [e-mail].

Note

This posting may be for a role with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be confirmed during the application process.