Internal Design Lead

JVR Software; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wild Dreams Hospitality in Gauteng seeks a senior interior designer to lead luxury hospitality projects from concept through final installation. The role spans new builds, refurbishments and ongoing styling across a diverse international portfolio.

You will coordinate designers, architects, contractors and suppliers, manage budgeting and procurement, and ensure brand consistency while respecting local authenticity. Remote or international work is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years interior design experience in luxury hospitality.
• Qualification in interior design or related field preferred.
• Strong portfolio showing concept development, space planning, materials and installations.
• Experience coordinating designers, architects, contractors, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Knowledge of FF&E and OS&E, procurement, materials, lighting and styling.
• Budget awareness with landed costs and lead times.
• Excellent presentation and communication across senior audiences.
• Able to work in remote or international environments.
• Calm, resourceful and solutions-driven under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Develop design briefs translating landscape, culture and story into a clear sense of place.
• Guide mood boards, layouts, material palettes, furniture, lighting and styling from concept to approval.
• Coordinate with designers, architects, project managers, buyers and contractors from concept to installation.
• Oversee site surveys, drawing reviews and specification schedules for coordination.
• Manage on-site installation, styling and opening readiness, often in remote locations.
• Maintain design guidelines and brand consistency while protecting each property’s individuality.
• Provide design guidance on retail product ranges and staff uniforms with relevant teams.
• Source and manage relationships with designers, artisans and suppliers with local/sustainable focus.
• Maintain an organized design library of approved concepts and references.
• Travel regularly to properties to review design performance and inform refurbishments.

Skills

Interior design

Luxury hospitality

Concept storytelling

Portfolio development

Coordination

Presentation skills

Remote/international work

Calm under pressure

Education

Interior design qualification

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Employer Wild Dreams Hospitality Location Gauteng Job type Other Sales/Marketing Salary Not specified Posted 1 Nov 2026

Core Criteria:

• Minimum 5 years’ interior design experience, ideally within luxury hospitality, with a strong track record in conceptual storytelling
• Relevant qualification in interior design, interior architecture or a related field preferred
• Strong portfolio demonstrating concept development, space planning, material selection, detailing and completed installations
• Proven experience coordinating designers, architects, contractors, suppliers and operational stakeholders
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite
• Sound knowledge of FF&E and OS&E specification, procurement, materials, lighting and styling
• Commercial understanding of budgets, quotations, landed costs and lead times
• Strong presentation, communication and influencing skills across creative, operational and senior audiences
• Comfortable working in remote, international or logistically complex environments
• Calm, resourceful and solutions-driven under pressure, particularly during installations and openings

Core Criteria:

• Minimum 5 years’ interior design experience, ideally within luxury hospitality, with a strong track record in conceptual storytelling
• Relevant qualification in interior design, interior architecture or a related field preferred
• Strong portfolio demonstrating concept development, space planning, material selection, detailing and completed installations
• Proven experience coordinating designers, architects, contractors, suppliers and operational stakeholders
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite
• Sound knowledge of FF&E and OS&E specification, procurement, materials, lighting and styling
• Commercial understanding of budgets, quotations, landed costs and lead times
• Strong presentation, communication and influencing skills across creative, operational and senior audiences
• Comfortable working in remote, international or logistically complex environments
• Calm, resourceful and solutions-driven under pressure, particularly during installations and openings

Core Responsibilities:

This is a senior, group-level design role for someone who can hold a consistent design thread across a diverse international portfolio while still allowing each property to feel authentically rooted in its own landscape and culture; the role spans everything from initial concept through to final installation, and covers new builds, refurbishments and ongoing styling.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop design briefs and direction that translate each destination’s landscape, culture and story into a clear sense of place
• Guide mood boards, layouts, material palettes, furniture, lighting, art and styling from concept through approval
• Coordinate with designers, architects, project managers, buyers and contractors from concept through to installation
• Oversee site surveys, drawing reviews and specification schedules to ensure smooth technical coordination
• Manage on-site installation, styling and opening readiness, often in remote locations
• Maintain design guidelines and brand consistency across the portfolio while protecting each property’s individuality
• Provide design guidance on retail product ranges and staff uniforms in collaboration with relevant teams
• Source and manage relationships with designers, artisans and suppliers, with a focus on local and sustainable partnerships
• Maintain an organised design library of approved concepts, specifications, suppliers and project references
• Travel regularly to properties to review design performance and inform future refurbishment priorities