Curio Careers
Director of Workplace Interiors - Architecture Firm
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Our Client
Our client is a commercial workplace design studio, part of a leading international architecture and design practice, delivering projects for major corporate occupiers across the legal and finance sectors. Operating on long-standing panel frameworks and with a strong design pedigree, the studio is entering a new phase of growth and is looking to strengthen its senior leadership.
The Role
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced interior design or fit-out professional to take day-to-day operational and commercial leadership of the studio. Working closely with the design leadership and wider practice, the Director of Interiors will be responsible for the health of the business, including its strategy, financial performance, people, and key client relationships. This role suits someone who has grown through project leadership into a broader studio or business leadership capacity, and who is motivated by building and shaping a team rather than purely executing projects.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy
- Define and articulate the studio's market position and translate this into a clear business plan.
- Identify opportunities for the studio to develop beyond its current base, working closely with practice leadership.
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Financial Management
- Take ownership of the studio's financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting against agreed metrics.
- Ensure projects and the studio are run to sound commercial and financial principles.
Leadership & People
- Lead, motivate, and develop the studio team, including hiring, performance management, and staff reviews.
- Build a positive, high-performing studio culture that supports both design quality and commercial growth.
Client Relationships & Business Development
- Act as Principal in Charge on key accounts, maintaining and deepening relationships with existing clients.
- Represent the studio in front of clients and prospective clients and play a leading role in converting new opportunities into won work.
- Work alongside the studio's design leadership to ensure a joined-up approach between design quality and commercial delivery — this is a leadership and client-facing role, not a design-authorship role.
Project & Quality Oversight
- Maintain oversight of quality standards and delivery processes across the studio's project portfolio.
- Support risk management and problem-solving on complex or high-profile projects as needed.
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What We're Looking For
- A substantial track record in commercial interior design or fit-out, gained in an architecture/design practice, design & build contractor, or similar environment.
- Demonstrable experience operating at a senior level — leading teams, owning budgets, and managing multiple layers of stakeholders.
- An interest in the commercial and people-leadership side of the business, alongside design quality.
- Strong client relationship and business development instincts, with the credibility to represent the studio at a senior level.
- Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy and ownership.
- Motivated by a multi-year opportunity to build and reposition a studio
Location & Working Pattern
Based in Central London, with excellent transport links. The studio operates a hybrid working pattern; the specific balance of office, client-facing, and remote time for this role will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
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