Design Director

IA is an integrated architecture and design firm that creates environments that move people, organisations and business forward. We bring architectural thinking, strategy and design together to help clients translate their business goals into places that support people and strengthen performance.

Our London studio is seeking a Design Director to lead design across workplace projects, strengthen client partnerships and support growth across the UK, EMEA and MENA. You will shape a clear design vision for key projects and accounts, elevate studio design quality and guide teams from early strategy and concepts through delivery.

Working closely with studio leadership, Project Managers and technical leaders, you will connect design ambition with client goals, budgets and schedules. You will also bring commercial curiosity, London market insight and an independent, organised approach to developing opportunities with leadership in EMEA and the US.

Design and client leadership:

• Build strong, trusted client relationships by understanding business objectives, culture, performance goals, budgets and schedules, and translating those insights into a clear design vision.
• Lead and elevate design quality across the studio, bringing consistency, rigour and fresh thinking to workplace projects and pursuits.
• Direct and present design concepts for key projects and accounts through clear storytelling, narratives informed by data and compelling visual communication.
• Oversee space plans, design concepts, documentation and furniture packages for priority projects and pursuits, ensuring a coherent response to the brief.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and technical leaders to coordinate design intent, documentation and furniture deliverables with client goals and delivery requirements.
• Lead design reviews at key milestones, provide clear feedback and guide teams in resolving design challenges from concept through construction and handover.
• Help clients evaluate options and make timely decisions, explaining the implications for experience, performance, cost and programme.
• Champion design choices that support human health, adaptability, responsible material use and long-term value.

Client relationships and opportunity development:

• Build long-term account relationships, maintain senior client engagement and identify opportunities for repeat work and broader support across client portfolios.
• Research and pursue new relationships with corporate occupiers, internal real estate teams, project managers, property advisers and key decision-makers.
• Identify workplace opportunities arising from lease expiries, lease breaks, relocations and market expansion; qualify leads and develop them into RFP opportunities.
• Re-engage past IA clients and dormant relationships to uncover new work, working with existing relationship owners.
• Use IA’s global and US client database and maintain close engagement with US client services teams to connect established relationships with EMEA opportunities.
• Partner with studio leadership on pursuit strategy, proposals and interviews, directing the design response and explaining how IA’s approach addresses each client’s business goals.

Networking and pipeline management:

• Identify, prioritise and attend high-value networking events and industry forums, introducing IA to new contacts and decision-makers.
• Arrange introductions and prospect meetings for IA leadership and coordinate business development calendars around clear priorities and timely follow-up.
• Own pipeline tracking and weekly reviews with leadership, maintaining accurate records, clear next actions and consistent engagement.
• Apply structured lead qualification to focus on viable opportunities, considering client needs, timing, budget, decision-makers, procurement and IA’s fit.

Brand and market presence:

• Represent IA’s brand, services and global business model confidently, connecting design expertise with the outcomes clients want to achieve.
• Partner with design and marketing teams on project photography, storytelling, award submissions and thought leadership that reflect IA’s brand and design excellence.

Team and studio leadership:

• Mentor designers at all levels through regular feedback and coaching, building a culture of accountability, curiosity and continuous improvement.
• Partner with studio leadership on training, design reviews and team-building initiatives that strengthen IA’s design standards and best practices.
• Encourage collaboration across studios and disciplines, sharing expertise and aligning with IA’s firmwide standards, processes and strategic objectives.

Technology and innovation:

• Champion the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled design and visualisation tools, to improve creativity, efficiency and design insight.
• Guide teams in using AI for research, precedent analysis, test fits, visualisation and iterative exploration while maintaining design integrity and authorship.
• Collaborate with firm leadership to evaluate, test and implement digital tools and workflows that improve design quality, coordination and the client experience.
• Build a culture of learning and adaptability around technology, automation and design practices informed by data.

Key skills and experience:

• Extensive experience leading workplace design, with a portfolio demonstrating strong architectural thinking, design quality and delivery from concept through completion.
• Experience directing space planning, design development, documentation and furniture packages in collaboration with Project Managers and technical teams.
• A record of building trusted client relationships, presenting to senior decision-makers and translating business priorities into compelling design responses.
• Proven success contributing to business development, leading design pursuits and securing new or repeat commissions.
• Strong London real estate and workplace market knowledge, with an established network or demonstrated ability to build one; international experience across EMEA and/or MENA is preferred.
• Experience mentoring designers, leading constructive design reviews and collaborating across studios, disciplines and leadership teams.
• Commercial curiosity, excellent organisational skills and the initiative to work independently while maintaining clear pipeline reporting and leadership alignment.
• Confidence discussing IA’s services, initiating conversations and building relationships through events, introductions and ongoing engagement.
• Experience applying digital design and visualisation tools, with sound judgement about the use of AI to support design exploration and decision-making.
• A qualification in architecture, interior design or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience, and the ability to travel regularly across Europe and the Middle East.