Head of FF&E

Studio Ashby; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Studio Ashby is seeking a senior Head of FF&E to lead this critical design discipline across luxury residential and hospitality projects in the UK and internationally. The role guides creative direction, procurement, and installation while shaping the department's performance and partnerships.

You will collaborate with Partners, Creative Directors and Operations to inspire a high-performing team, oversee supplier partnerships and ensure exceptional delivery across projects.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of post-graduate FF&E leadership in luxury residential and hospitality.
• Extensive knowledge of luxury furniture, lighting, textiles, art and global suppliers.
• Strong experience with international procurement programmes.
• Commercial awareness including budgets and supplier negotiations.
• Leadership and mentoring of creative teams.
• Excellent client-facing communication with UHNW clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative direction of the FF&E department across projects.
• Oversee projects from concept through installation, manage programmes and budgets.
• Own departmental profitability, procurement budgets and KPI reporting.
• Build exceptional supplier relationships; oversee sourcing, logistics and installations.
• Recruit, mentor and develop FF&E and Procurement teams.
• Drive continuous improvement through procurement systems and best practice.
• Support Studio Ashby Collection and brand collaborations.
• Contribute to departmental strategy and long-term growth.

Skills

Luxury design

Leadership

Client relationship management

Presentation skills

Negotiation

Budget management

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Interior Design

Degree in Product Design

Tools

Programa

EstiMac

Design Manager

Job description

Studio Ashby is an internationally recognised interior architecture and design studio founded by Sophie Ashby in 2014. With studios in London and Cape Town, we are a growing team of designers, creatives and specialists delivering luxury residential, hospitality and commercial projects across the UK and internationally.

We are known for creating thoughtful, characterful interiors that combine timeless design with contemporary living. Alongside interior architecture and design, our expertise spans creative direction, bespoke furniture, art consultancy and procurement, enabling us to deliver beautifully considered environments from concept through to installation.

We pride ourselves on our positive, professional and personal approach in everything we do. Collaboration sits at the heart of our business, and by working closely with our clients, consultants, craftspeople and suppliers, we deliver projects of exceptional quality whilst fostering an ambitious, supportive and creative culture across both studios.

What do we do?

Our mission is to create habitable spaces with identity. Whether designing a private home, boutique hotel, restaurant or commercial environment, we begin by understanding the people who will inhabit the space and designing around the way they live, work and experience it.

Art sits at the heart of our creative process. Inspired by Sophie Ashby’s background in art history, we believe every interior should tell a story through carefully curated layers of furniture, materials, objects and artwork, creating spaces with warmth, authenticity and soul.

Beyond interior architecture and design, we provide creative direction, art consultancy, bespoke furniture, styling and procurement to deliver complete, immersive environments. From planting and fragrance to uniforms, books and bespoke collaborations, every detail is carefully considered to ensure our clients’ vision is reflected across every touchpoint.

Relationships are fundamental to our success. We work collaboratively with clients, consultants, makers, artisans and suppliers around the world, believing that exceptional design is built on exceptional partnerships. We believe the design process should be an inspiring and enjoyable experience, creating spaces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.

Job Summary:

We are seeking an exceptional Head of FF&E to lead one of Studio Ashby’s most important creative disciplines. This is a senior leadership role, responsible for shaping the creative direction, commercial performance and operational excellence of the FF&E department across a portfolio of luxury residential and hospitality projects in the UK and internationally.

Working closely with the Partners, Creative Directors and Head of Operations, you will lead and inspire a talented team, oversee procurement and installation, develop supplier partnerships, and ensure every project is delivered to the exceptional standard synonymous with Studio Ashby.

As Studio Ashby continues its international growth, this role offers the opportunity to influence not only the delivery of world-class projects, but also the future evolution of the department, its people and the wider business.

What we’re looking for:

• Passionate about luxury design with an uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
• An exceptional creative with an outstanding eye for furniture, lighting, art, antiques, textiles and materials.
• An inspiring leader who enjoys mentoring and developing people.
• Commercially aware, balancing creativity with financial performance.
• Highly organised and confident managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• A natural relationship builder with clients, suppliers and consultants.
• A confident communicator with excellent presentation and negotiation skills.
• Proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused.
• Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate must have:

• Experience: Minimum 8–12 years’ post-graduate experience leading FF&E within the luxury residential and hospitality sector.
• Luxury Market Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of luxury furniture, lighting, textiles, art, antiques, bespoke craftsmanship and global suppliers.
• Design Expertise: Outstanding creative vision with exceptional attention to detail, colour, scale, proportion and materials.
• Procurement & Systems: Strong experience managing international procurement programmes and procurement platforms such as Programa, EstiMac, Design Manager or equivalent.
• Commercial Awareness: Experience managing budgets, cost plans, supplier negotiations and commercial performance.
• Leadership: Experience leading, mentoring, recruiting and developing high-performing creative teams.
• Client Leadership: Outstanding client-facing skills with confidence presenting to UHNW private clients, developers and hospitality operators.
• Education: Degree in Interior Design, Product Design or a related discipline preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creative direction of the FF&E department, inspiring exceptional design, innovation and quality across all projects.
• Oversee projects from concept through installation, maintaining responsibility for programmes, client relationships, presentations, budgets and overall delivery.
• Take ownership of departmental profitability, procurement budgets, forecasting, supplier negotiations and KPI reporting in partnership with Finance and the Head of Operations.
• Build and maintain exceptional supplier relationships while overseeing sourcing, procurement, logistics, installations and continual process improvement.
• Recruit, mentor, coach and develop the FF&E and Procurement teams, creating a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Drive continuous improvement through evolving procurement systems, AI tools, department standards, material libraries and best practice.
• Studio Ashby Collection & Brand Collaborations
  • Support the continued evolution of Studio Ashby’s retail collection, bespoke furniture and wider brand collaborations.
• Strategic Contribution
  • Work closely with the Partners and Head of Operations on departmental strategy, business development, resource planning, recruitment and long-term growth.

At Studio Ashby, we’re passionate about creating exceptional interiors and building an exceptional team. If you’re an inspiring creative leader who thrives on collaboration, craftsmanship and delivering beautifully considered design.