Manager, Interior Design (APAC)

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a global, luxury hotel management company. We manage over 120 hotels and resorts and 50 private residences in 47 countries around the world and growing.

Central to Four Seasons employee experience and social impact programming is the company’s commitment to supporting cancer research, and the advancement of diversity, inclusion, equality and belonging at Four Seasons corporate offices and properties worldwide. At Four Seasons, we are powered by people and our culture enables everything we do.

The Manager, Interior Design is responsible for supporting interior design on new build, adaptive reuse, conversion projects, and major renovation project management in the region from pre-concept to post-opening. With a focus on elevating design and product quality, the role ensures each project delivers a best-in-class Four Seasons guest experience. Commitment to design excellence, attention to detail, creative design, problem-solving, stakeholder alignment, and project design development/management are key functions of this position.

Job Description:

Project Review/Coordination (70%)

• Support the Asia Pacific Interior Design team in advancing new build and renovation projects to ensure compliance with Four Seasons Design Standards and alignment with Design Brief to deliver best-in-class guest experiences and exceptional ambiance.
• Act as Project Lead with Senior Director oversight for select Interior Design scope renovation projects, being the key FS contact for the Owner and Consultant team. Responsible for coordinating multidisciplinary Design Services team and internal stakeholders tasked with providing FS input for projects within the region.
• Develop Design Briefs with Senior Director oversight by liaising with internal departments to obtain data, conduct research, and undertake analysis. Collaborate with the Project (Arch) Lead and Development team in its composition.
• For renovation projects, support the development of comprehensive Master Vision and Renovation Scope documents to outline short- and long-term interior design improvements to ensure alignment with brand quality requirements, product consistency, and a competitive market position.
• Prepare Interior Design-related Consultant recommendations with Senior Director oversight.
• Review of concept and schematic design presentations, detailed design drawings, finishes, FF+E specification submissions, shop drawings, material samples, and preparation of associated design review reports.
• Attend core team meetings, design presentations, model room reviews, and site reviews as required, as well as support the production of related reports.
• Support review of all FF&E and provide comments, including, but not limited to, specifications, factory prototype reviews, model room reviews (as required), and final volume production.
• Support and develop project lookbooks.
• Manage upwards to keep the Senior Director, Interior Design closely informed of project progress.
• Other job-related duties as required.
• Ensure the design incorporates both creative innovation and operational efficiency.
• Stay current with design trends, materials, and technology, implementing these innovations where appropriate.
• Ensure that interior design standards adhere to brand guidelines and Four Seasons design philosophy.
• Conduct quality checks to ensure all projects are delivered in accordance with brand requirements.

Initiatives + Special Projects (30%)

• Contribute to sourcing preferred Interior Design and related consultants by presenting potential candidates for internal review, coordinating submission of qualifications, and supporting submission evaluation.
• Conduct design research, travel and tourism research, image searches, etc., to contribute toward content for Design Briefs.
• Contribute to internal Design Services initiatives (i.e., Design Standards updates, Experiential Signature, templates, research, etc.) as required.
• Research and review new products/suppliers for use in projects.
• Work directly with Senior Director, Interior Design, Design Services on special projects as required.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design, or related field required with a minimum 4-year duration.
• LEED accreditation beneficial.
• Licensed/Registered Professional status beneficial (i.e., Registered Interior Designer, etc.).

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in a design firm focusing on hospitality design of luxury hotels and resorts, residential, mixed-use hospitality, restaurants, bars, and entertainment projects.
• Minimum 4 years luxury brand design team experience managing projects from the operator side.
• Minimum 2 years of design management experience leading renovation projects.
• Hotel operator experience is an asset.
• Experience with collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Travel:

• Travel as required based on project status, expected 15% of the time.

Key Behaviourial Competencies:

• High degree of interpersonal skills to deal effectively with all business contacts. Excellent diplomacy and conflict management skills.
• Culturally sensitive and adaptable to other country’s cultures.
• Productive self-starter with excellent critical thinking ability and capable of working with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage several projects/deadlines.
• Great team player, but able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Possess creative problem-solving and technical skills, including a strong grasp of design and construction principles.
• Excellent communication skills to convey concepts in a clear and understandable fashion and inspire design vision. Ability to effectively communicate in English and local languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.), in both oral and written forms is an asset.
• Disciplined adherence to schedules and consistent performance on deliverables.
• Good documentation and customer service skills.
• Maintain a professional, neat, and well-groomed appearance.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of interior design process and documentation within the luxury segment of hospitality.
• Solid understanding of hotel space planning principles for both public areas and guestrooms.
• Ability to produce and / or review FF+E specification writing, millwork design and drawings.
• Ability to review and comment on FF&E prototypes, strike-offs etc.
• Understanding materials and their usability.
• Good presentation skills are important. Able to compose presentation concept decks and FF&E proposals quickly to help with designers with understanding FS direction.
• Possess various computer skills including Microsoft Office skills, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, AutoCAD/other drafting software, and creative software.
• Fluent with Interior Design, Architectural, Engineering, and design industry terminology and practices.
• Good understanding of Lighting Design.
• Knowledge of graphic design for development of Design Briefs, signage, and collateral.
• Ability to coordinate and cross-reference design drawings from multiple disciplines.