Position Details

Department: Projects, Design & Brand Activations


Reports To: Head of Design | Head of PMO


Direct Reports: Junior Interior Designers, Design Assistants and external design resources, as assigned


Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates


Employment Type: Full-Time/ Part Time Can be considered


Role Purpose

The Interior Designer is responsible for the creative, technical and coordinated delivery of interior design projects from initial briefing and concept development through to space planning, schematic design, design development, detailed design, tender, construction, installation and final handover.

The role will translate the Company’s brand, commercial and operational objectives into distinctive, functional, commercially viable and technically deliverable interior environments.

The Interior Designer will be responsible for developing design concepts, floor plans, customer and operational journeys, schematic and detailed design packages, materials and finishes specifications, furniture, fixtures and equipment schedules, technical coordination, tender support, shop-drawing reviews, site inspections, quality control, snagging and project close-out.

The role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders, operators, brand partners, consultants, landlords, contractors, suppliers and relevant authorities to ensure that projects are coordinated, buildable, compliant and delivered within the approved design intent, budget and programme.

Demonstrable specialist experience in the design and delivery of food and beverage, retail, leisure and wellness concepts is essential.

Key Responsibilities

A. Project Briefing and Site Assessment

• Review and interpret project briefs, business requirements, operational requirements, brand standards, landlord criteria and site constraints.

• Participate in project initiation meetings, stakeholder workshops and design briefing sessions.

• Assist in developing comprehensive design briefs defining the project vision, target customer, brand positioning, operational requirements, spatial needs, technical parameters, budget and programme.

• Undertake site visits, site measurements, photographic surveys and existing-condition assessments.

• Review architectural drawings, base-build information, landlord drawings, surveys, technical reports and other available site documentation.

• Verify site dimensions and conditions before progressing design proposals.

• Identify missing information, site constraints, design risks, authority considerations and technical coordination requirements at an early stage.

• Establish a clear understanding of the intended customer experience, operational model and commercial objectives of each project.

B. Research and Concept Development

• Undertake design, market, competitor, customer and material research relevant to each project.

• Develop original and commercially appropriate interior design concepts in response to the approved project brief.

• Translate brand identity, customer positioning and operational requirements into a coherent physical environment.

• Prepare concept narratives, mood boards, inspiration boards, visual references, material palettes, colour schemes and preliminary design direction.

• Produce conceptual sketches, diagrams, layouts, elevations, perspectives and presentation materials.

• Explore alternative design approaches and present clearly differentiated options for review.

• Consider the customer journey, operational efficiency, atmosphere, functionality, capacity, durability, maintenance and commercial performance throughout concept development.

• Ensure concepts are appropriate for the project location, target market, customer demographic and intended positioning.

• Adapt international concepts and brand standards to local market conditions, operational requirements, authority regulations and available materials while preserving the agreed brand character and design intent.

• Present concept proposals to senior management, internal stakeholders, operators, brand partners, landlords and other approving parties.

• Incorporate consolidated and approved feedback within agreed review periods.

C. Space Planning and Floor Plans

• Prepare site layouts, test fits, zoning plans, blocking plans and space-planning options.

• Develop floor plans that balance customer experience, operational functionality, commercial capacity, accessibility, safety and technical requirements.

• Plan front-of-house, back-of-house, customer, staff, service, storage and support areas.

• Review customer arrival, circulation, dwell, service and departure journeys.

• Review staff circulation, servicing, deliveries, storage, waste-management and operational routes.

• Develop furniture layouts, seating layouts, equipment layouts and preliminary capacity calculations.

• Ensure appropriate relationships between customer-facing and operational areas.

• Maximise the efficient use of available space without compromising comfort, safety, service or brand experience.

• Coordinate layouts with internal operational teams and specialist consultants.

• Ensure space planning complies with applicable accessibility, life-safety, authority, landlord and building-code requirements.

D. Schematic Design

• Develop approved concepts and layouts into coordinated schematic design packages.

• Prepare schematic floor plans, internal elevations, sections, reflected ceiling plans, floor-finish concepts, preliminary lighting concepts, material direction and furniture strategies.

• Define the overall spatial arrangement, architectural features, key finishes, feature elements and design language.

• Develop preliminary designs for entrances, façades, reception desks, counters, bars, displays, partitions, screens, banquettes and other key elements.

• Coordinate schematic design information with architectural, structural, MEP, lighting, landscape, acoustic, signage, audiovisual, security and specialist consultant requirements.

• Identify coordination issues, design risks, operational conflicts and technical constraints before progressing to detailed design.

• Review schematic design proposals against the approved budget, programme and project objectives.

• Prepare schematic design presentations and approval packages.

• Record stakeholder comments and incorporate approved revisions in a controlled and coordinated manner.

E. Design Development

• Progress approved schematic designs into coordinated design-development packages.

• Develop detailed plans, internal elevations, sections, ceiling layouts, floor patterns, wall treatments and design details.

• Refine the selection and application of materials, finishes, colours, textures, furniture, lighting, sanitaryware, ironmongery and decorative elements.

• Develop custom joinery, counters, bars, display units, banquettes, screens, partitions, shelving, vanity units and feature installations.

• Resolve the detailed relationship between architecture, interiors, furniture, equipment and building services.

• Coordinate the integration of operational equipment, specialist installations, signage, branding, graphics, audiovisual systems, IT systems and security systems.

• Ensure access panels, diffusers, grilles, sprinklers, detectors, cameras, speakers, controls and other technical items are integrated sensitively into the design.

• Review specialist consultant information and ensure it is properly reflected in the interior design.

• Maintain consistency between the approved concept and the developing technical design.

• Identify and resolve design interfaces, clashes, omissions and inconsistencies.

F. Detailed Design and Construction Documentation

• Prepare and coordinate comprehensive detailed design and construction documentation suitable for tender, procurement and construction.

• Produce or oversee the production of:

• General arrangement plans.

• Dimensioned floor plans.

• Setting-out plans.

• Partition and wall-type plans.

• Demolition plans, where applicable.

• Furniture and equipment layouts.

• Floor-finish plans.

• Reflected ceiling plans.

• Lighting layouts and lighting design intent.

• Power, data and audiovisual coordination layouts.

• Internal elevations.

• Sections and construction details.

• Wall, floor and ceiling details.

• Door, glazing and ironmongery schedules.

• Joinery and bespoke-element details.

• Furniture, fixtures and equipment schedules.

• Materials and finishes schedules.

• Sanitaryware and accessory schedules.

• Decorative lighting schedules.

• Signage and wayfinding coordination drawings.

• Artwork, styling and accessory schedules, where applicable.

• Ensure drawings and specifications are coordinated, accurate, clear, buildable and suitable for contractor pricing and construction.

• Cross-check all design information against consultant drawings and specialist requirements.

• Apply the Company’s required drawing standards, naming conventions, revision controls and document-management procedures.

• Review design packages for completeness and coordination before formal issue.

• Ensure all revisions and approved design changes are properly recorded and communicated.

• Maintain drawing registers, revision histories, approval records and design issue logs.

G. Materials, Finishes and Specifications

• Research, select and specify appropriate materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, fittings and decorative elements.

• Prepare material palettes, sample boards, finishes schedules and specification documents.

• Assess materials and products for appearance, quality, durability, hygiene, maintenance, fire performance, slip resistance, moisture resistance, acoustic performance, sustainability, availability, lead time and cost.

• Obtain technical data, test certificates, fire ratings, warranties and compliance information from suppliers.

• Coordinate material and finish selections with the approved concept, brand standards and operational requirements.

• Source locally available or commercially appropriate alternatives where required.

• Ensure proposed alternatives are substantially equivalent to the approved specification in terms of design intent, quality, appearance, performance, durability and functionality.

• Review samples, mock-ups, prototypes and control samples.

• Maintain an organised physical and digital material sample library.

• Monitor emerging materials, products, furniture, fixtures and design technologies.

H. Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

• Develop furniture, fixtures and equipment concepts, layouts and schedules.

• Select loose furniture, decorative lighting, artwork, accessories, rugs, window treatments and styling elements.

• Design or coordinate custom furniture and bespoke pieces where required.

• Prepare specifications, quantities, dimensions, reference images, finish requirements and supplier information.

• Coordinate furniture selections with space planning, customer comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, durability and operational requirements.

• Liaise with procurement teams and suppliers regarding quotations, availability, lead times, samples and delivery requirements.

• Review supplier shop drawings, samples, prototypes and production information.

• Support the approval of furniture, fixtures and equipment within the agreed project budget.

• Coordinate installation, placement, styling and final setup.

• Verify that installed items correspond with the approved specifications, quantities and design intent.

I. Consultant and Technical Coordination

• Coordinate with architects, MEP consultants, structural engineers, lighting designers, acoustic consultants, signage consultants, landscape designers, audiovisual consultants and other specialists.

• Attend design coordination meetings, technical workshops and consultant reviews.

• Review consultant drawings and identify clashes, omissions or inconsistencies affecting the interior design.

• Issue clear drawings, mark-ups, comments and design information.

• Coordinate structural openings, ceiling heights, floor levels, service locations, drainage points, electrical requirements and other technical interfaces.

• Ensure building services are coordinated with the approved interior design.

• Monitor consultant deliverables and identify delayed, missing or incomplete design information.

• Coordinate with landlords and base-build teams regarding design criteria, technical requirements and submission procedures.

• Participate in BIM and three-dimensional coordination processes where applicable.

• Ensure all parties are working from current and approved design information.

• Escalate unresolved technical or coordination issues that may affect budget, programme, quality or buildability.

J. Brand and Stakeholder Coordination

• Review and interpret brand guidelines, design manuals, operational standards and technical requirements.

• Translate brand requirements into project-specific design solutions.

• Liaise with internal and external brand teams throughout the design process.

• Prepare and coordinate design submissions for brand review and approval.

• Maintain records of brand comments, decisions and approvals.

• Consolidate stakeholder feedback to avoid conflicting or repetitive design instructions.

• Distinguish between brand-critical requirements and general preferences.

• Protect the approved brand identity and design intent while accommodating local requirements, operational constraints and site conditions.

• Coordinate with operations, marketing, development and project teams.

• Present design recommendations clearly and explain the rationale behind key decisions.

• Support the development of design standards and rollout guidelines for concepts intended for multiple locations.

K. Budget and Value Engineering

• Design within the approved project budget and commercial parameters.

• Maintain awareness of the cost implications of design decisions.

• Coordinate with project managers, quantity surveyors, procurement teams and commercial teams during cost planning.

• Review preliminary cost plans and identify areas of potential budget pressure.

• Participate in value-engineering exercises while protecting essential design, brand, operational and quality requirements.

• Recommend cost-effective alternatives for materials, finishes, furniture and construction details.

• Consider whole-life cost, durability, maintenance, replacement and operational requirements when specifying products.

• Review contractor and supplier proposals for compliance with the approved design.

• Identify and report potential cost implications arising from design changes.

• Avoid unnecessary design complexity or over-specification where it does not add commercial or experiential value.

• Support the review of design-related variations and change requests.

L. Design Programme and Project Coordination

• Prepare and maintain design programmes, deliverable schedules and approval timelines.

• Plan design activities in accordance with project milestones, tender dates, construction requirements and target opening dates.

• Track design submissions, comments, approvals and revisions.

• Coordinate information required from landlords, operators, brand partners, consultants, contractors and suppliers.

• Monitor long-lead materials, furniture, lighting, equipment and specialist items.

• Identify programme risks and delayed decisions that may affect project delivery.

• Provide regular design progress updates to the Head of Projects & Brand Activations, Head of PMO or Project Manager.

• Escalate unresolved matters promptly.

• Coordinate multiple projects and priorities while maintaining the required quality and accuracy of deliverables.

• Ensure design information is issued in sufficient time to support tender, procurement and construction activities.

M. Tender and Procurement Support

• Prepare and coordinate design information for contractor and supplier tender packages.

• Review tender documentation to ensure the design scope is complete and clearly defined.

• Respond to tender queries relating to design intent, materials, finishes, furniture and technical details.

• Participate in tender clarification meetings.

• Review contractor proposals, qualifications, exclusions and design-related assumptions.

• Support the technical evaluation of contractors, joinery manufacturers, furniture suppliers and specialist vendors.

• Assist in preparing design addenda and tender clarifications.

• Review proposed substitutions and assess their compliance with the approved design intent and specification.

• Coordinate approved tender-stage changes into the final construction documentation.

• Support the procurement of materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, equipment, decorative lighting, artwork and accessories.

• Review quotations, technical submissions, samples, prototypes and supplier proposals.

• Monitor long-lead items and procurement risks.

• Support supplier meetings, showroom visits and factory inspections where required.

N. Shop Drawing and Submittal Review

• Review contractor and supplier shop drawings, material submissions, technical data, samples and mock-ups for compliance with the approved design.

• Review submissions relating to joinery, metalwork, stonework, glass, flooring, ceilings, wall finishes, furniture, decorative lighting and specialist fabrications.

• Ensure contractor proposals reflect the approved drawings, specifications and design intent.

• Provide clear, consolidated and timely review comments.

• Coordinate reviews with relevant consultants and internal stakeholders.

• Maintain accurate records of submittal status, review comments, revisions and approvals.

• Attend sample reviews, prototype inspections, mock-up reviews and factory visits where required.

• Establish control samples and benchmark installations for critical materials and details.

• Escalate non-compliant, poor-quality or materially altered proposals.

• Ensure that approval of a shop drawing or sample does not relieve the contractor of its responsibility for dimensions, coordination, workmanship or contractual compliance.

O. Construction and Site Support

• Undertake regular site visits during construction and fit-out.

• Review setting-out, workmanship, materials and installations against approved design documents.

• Identify deviations, defects, quality concerns, incomplete works and coordination issues.

• Prepare site observation reports, photographic records, mark-ups and action lists.

• Respond to contractor requests for information and site queries within the required timeframe.

• Provide practical design solutions for unforeseen site conditions while protecting the approved design intent.

• Attend site coordination meetings, construction progress meetings and mock-up reviews.

• Coordinate with project managers, consultants, contractors and suppliers regarding design-related issues.

• Review key works before walls, floors, ceilings, joinery or services are closed up where necessary.

• Monitor the implementation of approved finishes, furniture, lighting, joinery and feature elements.

• Ensure unauthorised design changes or substitutions are identified and addressed.

• Escalate significant quality, programme, cost or design concerns promptly.

• Support the resolution of site issues that may affect project completion or opening.

P. Quality Control and Design Compliance

• Monitor the implementation of the approved design throughout procurement and construction.

• Ensure materials, finishes and workmanship meet the required quality standards.

• Review mock-ups and benchmark installations for critical design elements.

• Maintain consistency across all areas of the project.

• Verify that materials and products installed on site correspond with approved samples and specifications.

• Identify incomplete, defective, damaged or non-compliant work.

• Coordinate corrective actions through the appropriate project-management channels.

• Protect key brand, customer-experience and design elements from unauthorised modification.

• Support snagging, de-snagging and final quality inspections.

• Maintain complete and accurate records of design observations and outstanding actions.

Q. Handover and Project Close-Out

• Participate in practical-completion inspections, final design reviews and handover activities.

• Prepare or contribute to snagging and defects lists.

• Monitor the rectification of design-related defects.

• Verify that final works reflect the approved design and specification.

• Support furniture installation, styling, artwork placement, merchandising and final dressing of spaces.

• Assist with operational readiness and pre-opening activities.

• Review as-built drawings, final schedules, operation and maintenance information and close-out submissions where relevant.

• Prepare final material, finish and furniture records for archive.

• Support project photography and portfolio documentation.

• Participate in post-completion and post-opening reviews.

• Record lessons learned and recommend improvements for future projects.

R. Design Standards and Continuous Improvement

• Assist in developing internal design standards, templates, schedules and drawing protocols.

• Support the creation of brand design manuals and rollout guidelines.

• Maintain organised project files, drawing registers, sample records and approval documentation.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design, procurement and project-delivery processes.

• Monitor relevant design trends, construction methods, technologies, regulations and sustainability practices.

• Share relevant precedents, technical knowledge and lessons learned with the wider team.

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior designers and design assistants, where applicable.

• Review work prepared by junior team members before issue.

• Contribute to maintaining a consistent standard of design quality across the Company’s portfolio.

4. Key Deliverables

The Interior Designer will be accountable for the timely and accurate delivery of:

• Site surveys and existing-condition assessments.

• Project design briefs.

• Concept narratives and mood boards.

• Concept design presentations.

• Test fits, zoning plans and space plans.

• Floor plans and furniture layouts.

• Schematic design packages.

• Design-development packages.

• Detailed design and construction documentation.

• Internal elevations and sections.

• Reflected ceiling plans.

• Floor-finish plans.

• Lighting design intent.

• Joinery and bespoke-element details.

• Materials and finishes schedules.

• Furniture, fixtures and equipment schedules.

• Sample boards and material submissions.

• Tender design information.

• Design programmes and submission trackers.

• Shop-drawing and material-submittal reviews.

• Design coordination comments and mark-ups.

• Site observation reports.

• Snagging and defects reports.

• Final design records and close-out information.

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or a related discipline.

• A recognised qualification from an accredited university or design institution.

• A professional portfolio demonstrating strong creative and technical design capability.

Preferred

• Professional accreditation or membership of a recognised interior design or architectural body.

• Additional qualifications in lighting design, sustainable design, BIM or project management.

Experience

• Minimum of five years’ professional experience in interior design, preferably within a recognised interior design consultancy, architectural practice, developer, hospitality group, operator or multidisciplinary design organisation.

• Proven experience delivering interior design projects from initial concept, space planning and schematic design through to detailed design, tender, construction, installation and handover.

• Demonstrable specialist experience in the design and delivery of food and beverage, retail, leisure and wellness concepts is essential.

• A strong portfolio demonstrating relevant concept and completed-project experience across these sectors is required.

• Experience developing original concepts as well as adapting established brand concepts and design standards.

• Experience preparing coordinated technical and construction drawing packages.

• Experience producing detailed floor plans, internal elevations, sections, reflected ceiling plans, finish plans, schedules and joinery details.

• Experience specifying materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, equipment and decorative elements for high-use commercial environments.

• Experience reviewing shop drawings, material submissions, samples, mock-ups, prototypes and contractor proposals.

• Experience coordinating with architects, MEP consultants, structural engineers, lighting designers, signage consultants and other specialist disciplines.

• Experience undertaking site inspections, responding to construction queries, resolving site issues, snagging and supporting final handover.

• Experience working within approved budgets, cost plans and project programmes.

• Experience participating in tender, procurement and value-engineering processes.

• Experience working with operators and translating operational requirements into effective design solutions.

• Experience working with international brands, brand guidelines, licensing arrangements or franchise design standards is advantageous.

• Experience delivering projects within the UAE, GCC, Middle East or Africa is advantageous.

• Experience coordinating with landlords, property developers, hotel operators, mall operators and local authorities is advantageous.

• Experience managing multiple projects and design deliverables simultaneously.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD.

• Strong proficiency in SketchUp.

• Proficiency in Revit is preferred.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.

• Experience with visualisation software such as Enscape, Lumion, V-Ray, 3ds Max or equivalent.

• Strong concept-development and presentation skills.

• Strong space-planning and floor-plan development skills.

• Strong knowledge of schematic design, design development and detailed design.

• Ability to produce coordinated construction documentation.

• Strong joinery and bespoke-detailing capability.

• Strong materials, finishes and FF&E specification capability.

• Ability to read and review architectural, structural and MEP drawings.

• Experience reviewing shop drawings and material submissions.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Familiarity with project-management, document-control and collaboration platforms.

• Familiarity with BIM processes and model coordination is advantageous.

Knowledge Requirements

• Strong knowledge of interior construction, fit-out methods and technical detailing.

• Strong understanding of materials, finishes, furniture, lighting and joinery.

• Understanding of structural and MEP coordination requirements.

• Understanding of commercial project budgets, value engineering and procurement.

• Knowledge of FF&E specification and sourcing.

• Understanding of accessibility and inclusive-design principles.

• Knowledge of fire and life-safety requirements relevant to commercial interiors.

• Awareness of local authority, landlord and building-code requirements.

• Understanding of material fire ratings, slip resistance, hygiene, durability and maintenance requirements.

• Awareness of sustainable-design principles, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient design.

• Understanding of the operational and commercial considerations relevant to customer-facing environments.