Design and Construction Lead

**About the role**

As the Design and Construction Lead at The Great Room (TGR), you will be the driving force behind the design vision, commercial success, and sustainable execution of our portfolio of premium, hospitality-inspired co-working spaces. This is a leadership role that blends design management, commercial strategy, and project oversight-ensuring each project delivers on TGR’s brand promise, operational excellence, and financial objectives.

You will serve as the primary design authority and brand custodian, working closely with external consultants (interior designers, architects, engineers), internal stakeholders (Operations, Marketing, Sales), and senior leadership. Your role is to translate business goals into compelling, commercially viable design briefs, drive innovation, and champion sustainable design solutions that enhance member experience and long-term asset value. Beyond individual projects, you will lead efforts in standardization, process improvement, and design innovation across regions, ensuring TGR’s visual identity, operational efficiencies, and sustainability commitments are strengthened globally.

This role demands strong leadership, creative problem-solving, project management expertise, and a deep knowledge of building codes, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.

You will report to the CEO or relevant executive leadership and collaborate closely with the internal project team and other stakeholders.

**What you’ll do**

**Design Leadership & Brand Custodianship**
- Define, develop, and safeguard TGR’s design identity from conceptualization to implementation, ensuring all projects align with the brand ethos, push boundaries in hospitality-inspired design, and reflect a commitment to sustainability.
- Lead the creation of design briefs, mood boards, and presentations that communicate the creative vision, commercial rationale, and sustainable priorities to stakeholders.
- Oversee all aspects of interior design, including space planning, finishes, furniture, artwork, styling, and spatial experiences, ensuring a premium and cohesive member experience.
- Maintain and evolve TGR’s design and sustainability standards, ensuring consistency and quality across all sites.

**Project & Construction Management**
- Manage the end-to-end design and construction process, from project inception to handover and post-occupancy evaluation, with a focus on sustainable materials, practices, and outcomes.
- Coordinate with external consultants and contractors to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality and sustainability standards.
- Conduct regular site visits, progress reviews, and defect checks, ensuring compliance with design intent, tender specifications, and sustainability commitments.
- Lead in the preparation and documentation of design schemes for tender and procurement processes.

**Commercial & Strategic Leadership**
- Translate business objectives into actionable, commercially viable design strategies, maximizing asset value and long-term returns.
- Partner with finance, operations, and real estate teams to assess feasibility, manage costs, and ensure projects align with broader company strategy and sustainability goals.
- Develop cost benchmarks and maintain a preferred vendor/supplier list for FF&E, finishes, and construction, prioritizing sustainable and innovative solutions.
- Identify and implement opportunities for sustainable design that enhance guest experience, operational efficiency, and brand reputation.

**Stakeholder Engagement & Process Improvement**
- Act as the primary liaison between TGR, external designers, contractors, and property owners, ensuring clear communication and alignment at every stage.
- Lead presentations to executive leadership, investors, and partners, effectively communicating design concepts, commercial rationale, and sustainability achievements.
- Drive standardization, process improvements, and design innovations across regions to create efficiencies and strengthen TGR’s global identity and sustainability leadership.

**Who you are**

**Requirements**:

- Qualification in Architecture, Interior Design, or equivalent.
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in design leadership, project management, or technical services within hospitality, premium co-working, or luxury real estate, with a proven track record in commercial roles.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual and technical excellence, commercial acumen, and sustainable design across different project typologies.
- Proficiency in design software (AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
- Deep understanding of project management processes, including budgeting, scheduling, construction methodologies, and workplace space planning.
- Working knowledge of building codes, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices, with a focus on sustainability.
- Ability to speak communicate effectively - verbally and in writing - is critical.