Overview
The Design Director (DD) is responsible for all phases of a design project which includes the design of new build or refurbishment projects, including FF&E and colour schemes. Designs and feasibility studies are produced for commercial, hospitality, leisure and residential properties. The DD will oversee projects and lead the project teams from beginning to end being the main contact for all correspondence with the client and consultants, including coordination with sub-consultant.
The Design Director will manage multiple projects (internally and externally), have an excellent understanding of design process including but not limited to, driving design creativity and project and team management, space planning, materiality, FF&E, presentation skills, software knowledge, project/resource program, post contract knowledge/experience. The DD is responsible for mentoring the design team. Other areas of the job include budget pricing, budget management and procurement. The DD will ensure the Design Team follows the Project Quality Process (PQP).
In addition, the DD shall act as the primary client/stakeholder contact. Collaborating with clients, operators, architects, contractors, and other stakeholders will be crucial in creating and managing the project throughout Pre and Post contract stages. This shall involve coordinating the design on-site and even managing the construction team if the project scope includes this phase of a project.
Design Director drives creativity with the project and wider organization and ensuring project team and resources are well managed thus striking well balance between design and management. The DD is also responsible for strategic planning and growth of the organization.
The Design Director will also take on a management role in respect of interviewing potential new employees, monitoring staff performance during review periods and establishing and monitoring KPIs for the team, providing feedback on employee’s performance.
The Design Director will be required to prepare all resource schedules for projects and manage the weekly design studio meetings. From time to time the DD may also need to assist in preparing business development presentations and attend the presentation to secure the project. This may also include preparing a design scheme, fee proposals and identifying new business and promoting design services to potential clients.
The Design Director will report to the MD/SDD with respect to project deliverables and prepare time schedules to ensure deadlines are met.
Responsibilities
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The Design Director will plan and organize the design teams and their daily activities, setting out a clear plan and project program of deliverables and resources to ensure deadlines are met for all studio projects
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Leadership: Lead and inspire a team of interior designers, providing direction, mentorship, and support. Foster a collaborative and creative work environment conducive to idea generation and innovation. Set clear goals and expectations for the team, and provide feedback and performance evaluations regularly. Managing the PQP process for all projects assigned.
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Design Leadership: Provide strategic leadership and vision for the design team. Set design direction and standards, ensuring alignment with the overall brand and company objectives.
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Team Management: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of designers, providing guidance and feedback, and fostering a collaborative and creative work environment. Allocate resources efficiently and ensure the team's productivity and performance.
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Project Oversight: Oversee the design process from concept to completion, ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including team development, and integrate design with overall business goals.
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Design Strategy: Develop and implement design strategies that align with the company's overall business objectives. Stay abreast of design trends, industry best practices, and technological advancements to inform and improve design strategies.
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Budget and Resource Management: Manage design budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to financial constraints. Collaborate with other departments to ensure resources are allocated effectively.
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Quality Control: Ensure the consistency and quality of design output across projects. Conduct regular reviews and critiques to maintain high design standards.
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Innovation and Research: Foster a culture of innovation within the design team. Encourage continuous learning, research, and experimentation with new design tools and techniques.
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Presentation Skills: Effectively communicate design concepts and strategies to both internal and external audiences. Design presentation, updates, and findings to clients and stakeholders.
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Design & Project Management: Developing initial ideas and acquiring key information about potential projects, discussing requirements in detail with clients (the brief) and setting project schedules. Conducting feasibility studies for projects.
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Understanding individual clients' needs and the needs of the people using the building, developing design concepts in consultation with the client and establishing final briefs and program for the project
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Manage client’s expectations as main point of contact of the project overseeing the team.
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Overseeing the preparation of detailed working drawings, designs, plans, models and schemes
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Conduct site visits and inspections to monitor construction progress, resolve design issues, and ensure compliance with approved design intent
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Ensuring products specified, for example fittings, furniture, lighting, finishes, decoration and dressing, and providing samples for clients; this will include obtaining costs for all items and coordinating budgets
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Keeping up to date with new developments in the design industry
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Interview designers and team during staff reviews and provide report and feedback
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Prepare and monitor staff KPI’s