Dorset, UK
Senior interior designer and department manager
at Jigsaw Interior Design
Jigsaw Interior Design is hiring a senior interior designer and department manager to join its team in Dorset, UK.
Do you want to join a vibrant interior architectural and design company on the South Coast, that works on flagship developments, hospitality and high-end residential markets in London and Dorset? Jigsaw Architecture and Interior Design is seeking a senior interior designer to join its team in Poole.
About us
Jigsaw is a leading interior architecture and design practice with over 17 years’ experience. As pioneers in the burgeoning field of interior architecture, we are fiercely proud to be fully trained and qualified in our core disciplines. We design intuitive, aspirational, sympathetic interiors underpinned by a flexible, human-centric and holistic approach. We believe that the spaces people inhabit have a direct bearing on the quality of their lives. Guided by this principle, we strive to elevate everyday experiences by creating environments that exceed the standards of modern living.
Location and lifestyle
Our office is based in Branksome, Poole. Dorset just two hours from London. Poole is well known for Europe’s largest natural harbour, award winning blue flag beaches including the world-famous Sandbanks Beach. We enjoy the benefits of coastal living while also working on large projects in and around London.
We are currently seeking an exceptional senior interior designer and department head with exceptional creative and management skills. The role is based in our head office in Poole, Dorset.
Job responsibilities:
- managing a team of interior designers as well as your own projects
- working on residential, both private and development, hospitality, and commercial projects from concept to site completion
- working to clients’ timeframes and managing budgets
- developing and producing concept presentations with 2D/3D visualisations
- producing complete CAD technical drawing packages for site purposes
- producing comprehensive product and finishes specification documents
- experience with client and supplier direct liaison
- attending site meetings with clients, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and consultants
- coordinating with external specialist consultants e.g. PM, QS, M&E to integrate requirements and meet overall project objectives
- undertaking site inspections and surveys
- responsible for briefing other designers, ensuring initial concepts/creative direction is followed
- responsible for allocation of projects and monitoring of individual designers’ workload
- responsible for monitoring/logging new enquiries and allocating to designers to quote, ensuring all enquires are responded to in a timely manner with appropriate information/questions
- research/chase new leads and present Jigsaw services to prospective clients when needed
- manage internal communications with installation/warehouse/admin teams to ensure projects run smoothly
- assist branding, marketing, social media briefings/meetings when requested
- implement new templates and improving working methods to increase efficiencies and performance
- responsible for implementing standards and ensuring they are followed
- required to report to the director, provide feedback of project and team progression
- time management (team) this includes approving and tracking: holiday requests, lieu time, flexitime etc.
- chair team meetings and hold further briefing or project-based workshops/meetings when required
- track and produce invoicing for finance manager on monthly basis
- track and prompt for deposit invoices when needed
- required to advise team when invoices have been paid and ordering can commence (on Friday am once analysis doc has been updated, or in correspondence to communication with financial director)
- produce quotations and approve quotations put together by other designers
- attend managers meetings, including meetings about targets, reports and finances
- support other managers/partners with their teams and offer help when necessary
- provide support to team with any problematic issues, attend client or site meetings with team members when required
- responsible (with director) for team’s appraisals and continued professional development includes warehouse staff, designers, and administration staff when appropriate
Keys skills required:
- the ideal candidate will have at least six plus years of professional design experience with at least three plus years’ at a senior level – bachelor’s degree or higher in interior design or interior architecture
- passionate about interior design with a strong desire to uphold a high level of design quality
- able to work in a multifaceted, fast paced role
- proven working knowledge of new build interior construction and refit projects, particularly FF&E procurement – materials, finishes, detailing and scheduling
- excellent knowledge of materials and finishes & proven experience in dealing with suppliers and manufacturers in a highly professional manner, and a proven ability to maintain and develop existing relationships with suppliers and manufacturers
- proficient in AutoCAD, Adobe InDesign, SketchUp and Microsoft Office Suite
- excellent English language skills both written and verbal
- experience working with both commercial and private clients
- ability to manage multiple projects at the same time and ensuring timely delivery of designs
- strong organisational capabilities
- ability to travel to sites in the UK – Full UK driving licence would be desirable
- excellent presentation skills and professional client interaction, both verbal and written
- strong communication skills and be able to problem solve under pressure
- design and deliver large scale residential & commercial projects including setting and meeting deadlines
- experience designing custom furniture and interior joinery
- team management experience with an empathetic people management style
- awareness of GDPR
Remuneration package:
- salary to be discussed upon experience
- holiday – 20 Days with accruing a day’s holiday for every year of service after two years up to 25 days
- pension scheme
Jigsaw benefits package:
- Jigsaw wellbeing programme – access to a daily morning ritual (yoga, meditation breathwork), four wellbeing team days throughout the year and discount off select treatments
- selection of teas, coffee, fruit, and biscuits always available in our staff kitchen
- access to shared company car (if eligible on company insurance criteria)
- opportunity to attend trade shows, in UK and possibly abroad
- continued professional development and training
- flexible working and WFH opportunities (To be discussed with Directors)
To apply please submit the following via the apply for job button below:
- CV and references
- covering letter
- portfolio including mood boards, CAD layouts and finished work
Please note
Candidates without portfolios illustrating technical development and final photography of own designs will not be considered. All candidates should be eligible to work in the UK. No agencies.
What happens after you apply?
Our hiring team will review your application upon submission. If you are among the successful candidates, you will receive an email to schedule an interview. If you don’t hear from us, then unfortunately your application will not have been successful at this time. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to provide feedback on individual applications.
GDPR notice
Please be aware that we will retain your personal information for a period of 12 months from the date that you applied to Jigsaw Architecture & Interior Design. This is to allow us to contact you in the future if you are not successful on this occasion and a more suitable role becomes available. After this period, we will securely destroy your personal information. If you do not want your data held on file, then please contact us directly – details on our website below.
We wish you the very best of luck with your application.