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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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,…