Interior Designer

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 affecti