Sara Slade Interior Design
Senior Interior Designer
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Reports to: Sara Slade, Founder and Director.
Contract: To be confirmed. Hours: Full-time. Location: Cambridge studio, with client and site visits as required. Salary: To be confirmed, according to experience. Start date: Immediate start required.
Company description
At Sara Slade Interior Design, we create homes with character, individuality and a clear understanding of how our clients live. Based in Cambridge, we work on residential projects across London, the UK and internationally, bringing together imaginative design, technical knowledge and a commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Our work spans everything from spatial planning and bespoke joinery to fabrics, furniture, lighting and the final details that make a home feel complete. We take projects from the first creative conversations through to installation and styling, giving us the opportunity to see our ideas realised and understand how every decision contributes to the finished space.
Founded in 2012, our studio is shaped by Sara’s hands-on approach and belief that beautiful interiors must also work exceptionally well. We value thoughtful ideas, carefully chosen materials and the skill of the makers and trades who bring our designs to life.
For an experienced designer, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution within a small studio, work closely with Sara and develop distinctive homes from concept to completion.
The role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Interior Designer who can develop Sara’s creative direction into complete, coherent schemes and manage the day-to-day progress of their design work. You will bring sound judgement, strong attention to detail and the ability to prepare work for review at agreed checkpoints.
Working closely with Sara, our Technical Designer and the project team, you will take responsibility for developing assigned projects within the agreed scope, budget and programme. Sara retains creative direction and final approval of client-facing design work.
Design responsibilities
- Produce clear, accurate lighting and plumbing layouts for issue to contractors, showing lighting positions, switching intent, sanitaryware positions and required service locations. Coordinate these layouts with the wider design and technical drawings, and confirm installation requirements with the relevant contractors and specialist consultants.
- Develop concepts, palettes, materials and complete room schemes in response to the client brief and Sara’s agreed direction.
- Source and specify furniture, lighting, fabrics, window treatments, finishes and accessories, checking suitability, dimensions, availability, lead times and budget.
- Prepare clear presentations, sample selections and specifications that explain the proposed design and allow clients to make informed decisions.
- Develop design intent for joinery, kitchens, bathrooms and other bespoke elements, working with the Technical Designer to produce coordinated drawings.
- Check that selections and specifications align with the latest layouts, elevations and agreed client decisions. Resolve discrepancies with the relevant team member.
- Present considered recommendations at agreed reviews, highlighting decisions needed, costs and practical implications.
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Project coordination and communication
- Plan your design tasks against agreed milestones, keep Monday.com current and flag capacity constraints or missing information early.
- Coordinate with the Technical Designer on dimensions, interfaces and technical queries, referring specialist matters to the appropriate consultant or trade.
- Communicate with clients within the agreed studio process, record decisions and obtain Sara’s approval before issuing client-facing design work.
- Identify requests outside the agreed scope and refer them to Sara before undertaking additional work or committing to revised fees or dates.
- Provide the procurement team with approved specifications and support the resolution of product queries, proposed substitutions and discontinued items.
- Attend agreed site visits, installations and styling sessions. Review the completed design and help identify and resolve design-related issues.
Experience and skills
- Proven ability to produce lighting and plumbing layouts for contractor use is essential. Your portfolio should include examples of these drawings and explain your responsibility for preparing and coordinating them.
- A full driving licence valid in the UK and access to a car for work-related travel are essential, as the role includes client appointments and project site visits.
- A portfolio demonstrating substantial experience delivering residential interiors, including completed projects and your personal contribution.
- Ability to develop a brief into a complete scheme, with strong judgement in proportion, colour, materials, lighting and detailing.
- Practical knowledge of bespoke joinery, kitchens, bathrooms and window treatments, and an understanding of how design decisions affect installation.
- Experience preparing accurate furniture, fittings and equipment specifications and working within client budgets.
- Advanced CAD proficiency is essential. You must be able to independently produce accurate, detailed floor plans, elevations, bespoke joinery drawings, lighting and plumbing layouts for contractor use. Your portfolio must include technical drawings you have personally produced. Experience using Vectorworks is preferred.
- Confidence preparing professional presentations and maintaining project records. Familiarity with InDesign, Houzz Pro, Monday.com and Google Drive would be helpful.
- Clear client communication, reliable organisation and the confidence to make recommendations while recognising when approval or specialist advice is needed.
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Responsibility and approval
You will own design development and the quality of your work on assigned projects. Sara will set creative direction and approve work at agreed stages before it is issued to clients. The Project Manager owns the overall delivery programme and trade coordination; procurement support owns order tracking and delivery administration. You will provide the design information those colleagues need and respond promptly to queries.
What success looks like
Schemes are coherent, practical and ready for review, with specifications that match the approved design. Design milestones are met or risks are raised early. Clients receive clear information, and the technical and procurement teams have complete, coordinated information to progress their work.
How to apply
Please send your CV, portfolio and a short introduction to studio@saraslade.co.uk. Explain your responsibilities on the projects shown and include your availability and salary expectations.
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