Lead FF&E Designer
Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Fine Arts, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in FF&E design, with at least 5 years in a consultancy or design firm in the UAE.
- At least 2 years managing FF+E designers, interior designers, or similar.
- Strong understanding of luxury hospitality, corporate, and residential interiors.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, InDesign, Photoshop, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office Suite; experience in FF&E specification software is an advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of UAE and international suppliers, manufacturers, and material sources. Must be able to make and manage any negotiations required for procurement purposes (timing/finance related).
- Strong presentation, communication, and coordination skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Familiar with local design standards, procurement practices, and sustainability requirements in the UAE market.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and approve the FF&E design development process from concept through completion for hospitality, corporate, and high-end residential projects.
- Approve concept mood boards, material palettes, and presentation packages aligned with the overall design intent and client vision. Support the team in prodution
- Responsible for Client satisfaction and ensuring that any project-specific requests are handled in a professional manner. Regular projects updates will be required with the Client plus in-person meetings when required (site/office).
- Be able to offer fast solutions to support the team during the design/selection process, and when changes in design are requested by the client.
- Source and specify furniture, fabrics, finishes, lighting, artwork, and accessories when required for specific high-end projects. Approve all specifications produced by the team.
- Approve all FF&E schedules, specification sheets, and procurement documentation and prepare the same for high-end projects when required.
- Coordinate with architectural, MEP, and design teams to ensure seamless integration of FF&E elements into the overall project design.
- Build and maintain good working relationships with procurement agents, suppliers, and manufacturers to ensure all items meet design, quality, and delivery requirements. Advise the team on alternative solutions whenever required.
- Oversee and manage with the team for sample reviews, material approvals, and vendor presentations.
- Responsible for the planning and management of FF&E installations and accessory styling to a satisfactory completion. Coordination with the necessary site teams and the FF+E team accordingly. This includes preparing residential staging for marketing purposes.
- Conduct site inspections to ensure design intent and quality standards are achieved. Provide assistance to the site team wherever required and be available for assisting with Client inspections.
- Responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date procurement schedule for each project, this includes communicating procurement information with the relevant teams as required. Initiate Vale Engineering when required and present alternatives to the client/design team when required.
- Schedule the FF+E team time and allocate to resources to projects according to urgency and skill set. Update ID Director on a regular basis with the resourcing allocation.
- Attend weekly team/department progress meetings and project specific meetings as required.
- Responsible for ensuring that all FF+E information is shared with Site teams as necessary and that all RFI's are answered by the team.
- Ensure continued awareness of local and international market trends.
- Mentor and guide junior FF&E designers and design assistants in developing design knowledge and skill, and production of technical documentation.
- Responsible for ensuring that all design work complies with client guidelines, sustainability standards, and project budgets. Ensure that internal QAQC procedures are followed within the team and ensure that any unsatisfactory outputs is corrected.
- Actively contribute to the overall improvement of design quality and production output within the department. Use initiative to avoid any delays in design or production.
Preferred Attributes:
- Must have a confident and pro-active approach, with an encouraging attitude to support the team.
- Experience with five-star Hospitality projects or High-end Luxury residential developments.
- Be up-to-date with design innovation, materials research, and emerging trends.
- This role is client facing and requires a patient personality, with a supportive and motivating attitude when managing the team.
- Currently in Dubai.
- Driving license/own vehicle is preferable.
Reporting:
