Design Director (Hospitality)

The Design Project; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading architectural consultancy in London seeks a Design Director (Hospitality) to define design vision, oversee hospitality projects, and mentor senior designers. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in architectural design, particularly in hospitality, and will demonstrate strong leadership skills and a proven track record. This full-time position emphasizes creative direction, project management, and business development, specifically in international markets, including the Middle East.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in architectural design.
• Significant experience in a Design Director role within an architectural consultancy.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality hospitality projects globally.
• Experience working on projects in the Middle East is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative direction for flagship hospitality projects worldwide.
• Act as the primary design leader for hotels, resorts, and mixed-use destinations.
• Shape design narratives that enhance the guest experience.
• Provide strategic oversight across major hospitality commissions.
• Inspire and mentor senior designers.

Skills

Creative Leadership

Hospitality Design Expertise

Project Oversight

Team Mentorship

Design Excellence

Stakeholder Management

Business Development Acumen

Brand Identity Integration

Guest Experience Design

Sustainability & Innovation

Education

Degree in Architecture or Interior Design

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Design Director (Hospitality) • Company: Egis Group • Location: London, England, United Kingdom • Job Type: Full-time • Category: Architecture & Design Leadership / Hospitality Design • Date Posted: February 07, 2026 • Experience Level: 10+ Years • Remote Status: On-site

• Lead and define the global design vision for hospitality and lifestyle projects, ensuring world-class architectural output.
• Oversee creative direction for hospitality-focused teams, fostering innovation and brand integration.
• Act as a primary client-facing contact for design-related matters, managing stakeholder expectations and project delivery.
• Drive business development through design leadership in pursuits and competitions, representing the firm's expertise.
• Mentor senior designers and cultivate a strong, internationally connected hospitality design culture within the practice.

Position Context: This is a senior leadership role focused on the strategic direction and execution of hospitality design projects within a global architectural consultancy. The role emphasizes design vision, creative direction, mentorship, international experience, and cross-cultural design considerations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Define and lead the creative direction for flagship hospitality and lifestyle projects worldwide, ensuring alignment with brand identity, guest experience, sustainability, and innovation.
• Act as the primary design leader for hotels, resorts, branded residences, and mixed-use destinations, guiding project teams from concept to completion.
• Shape design narratives that resonate with target markets and enhance the guest experience.
• Represent the practice in high-profile client engagements, design reviews, and competitions, articulating the firm's design philosophy and capabilities.
• Provide strategic oversight across major hospitality commissions and key client accounts, ensuring project goals are met.
• Guide project teams through complex stakeholder environments to ensure cohesive project execution.
• Support global business development by providing design leadership in pursuits and interviews.
• Establish and maintain robust design governance and review processes for all hospitality projects.
• Inspire and mentor senior designers and future hospitality leaders within the practice.
• Build and nurture an internationally connected hospitality design culture, promoting collaboration across studios.
• Ensure design excellence from concept through delivery, safeguarding design intent through procurement, value engineering, and construction phases.
• Set benchmarks for quality, innovation, and best practice in hospitality design, driving continuous improvement.

Capability Context: The responsibilities cover strategic vision, client management, team leadership, and project oversight with emphasis on governance, stakeholder management, and balancing creative ambition with project delivery and financial considerations.

Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A relevant degree in Architecture or Interior Design from an accredited institution is expected. Further advanced degrees or specialized certifications in hospitality design or leadership may be advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in architectural design.
• Significant experience as a Design Director or equivalent senior leadership role within an international architectural consultancy or design firm.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality hospitality projects globally.
• Demonstrated experience in leading hospitality-led master planning and large-scale mixed-use developments.
• Experience working on projects in the Middle East is essential.
• Experience with Technical Design and Construction work stages is an advantage.

Required Skills:

• Creative Leadership: Define and champion a compelling design vision for hospitality projects.
• Hospitality Design Expertise: Deep understanding of global hospitality design, trends, guest experiences, and brand integration.
• Project Oversight: Strategically oversee multiple large-scale projects with attention to quality, budget, and timeline.
• Team Mentorship: Inspire, guide, and develop design talent in a collaborative environment.
• Design Excellence: Strong portfolio demonstrating consistent delivery of high-quality built projects.
• Stakeholder Management: Manage relationships with clients, developers, operators, brands, and consultants.
• Business Development Acumen: Contribute to business development through design leadership in pursuits and interviews.
• Brand Identity Integration: Shape design narratives that integrate brand identity with architectural solutions.
• Guest Experience Design: Create immersive and memorable guest experiences through design.
• Sustainability & Innovation: Incorporate sustainable design principles and drive innovation in hospitality architecture.

Preferred Skills:

• Master Planning: Experience in large-scale hospitality-led master plans.
• Value Engineering: Proficiency in value engineering to optimize costs without compromising design integrity.
• Construction Phases: Familiarity with technical design and construction phases.
• Global Project Delivery: Experience navigating international markets and regulatory environments.
• Design Governance: Ability to establish design review and governance frameworks.

Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of creative vision, technical expertise, and leadership, with a strong emphasis on Middle East experience and a robust hospitality portfolio. The 10+ year requirement aligns with senior director-level leadership.

Portfolio & Interview Guidance

• Demonstrated Design Vision: Showcase a clear design philosophy across hospitality projects.
• Project Scale & Impact: Include large-scale hospitality projects, master planning, and mixed-use developments, with regional emphasis on the Middle East.
• Global & Regional Experience: Highlight diverse international experience.
• Design Excellence & Impact: Present built, award-winning, or iconic projects.
• Process & Leadership: Demonstrate design process, stakeholder engagement, and safeguarding design intent through construction.

Application Process

• Submit your CV and Portfolio: CV (max two A4 pages, PDF) and portfolio (up to ten A3 pages, PDF) via the designated channel. Ensure documents are concise and tailored.
• CV & Portfolio Emphasis: Highlight international hospitality design leadership, large-scale projects, and Middle East experience. Use keywords from the job description.
• Portfolio Curation: Select relevant hospitality projects showing design vision, leadership, built work, and regional experience.
• Research Egis Group and 10 Design: Understand culture, values, recent projects, and strategic direction, especially in hospitality. Articulate alignment with theirs.
• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation focusing on design leadership, project successes, and strategic approach.

Important Notice: This description is a refined version for formatting quality and does not include AI-generated content. Verify compensation and application procedures with official channels before applying.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have significant experience as a Design Director within an international architectural consultancy and recognized expertise in hospitality design. A strong portfolio of built, award-winning, or iconic projects is essential.