Lead Interior Designer
Lead Interior Designer - Hospitality, Resorts, & Gaming
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Position Type: Full-time, Hybrid
Experience Level: 8-15 years
About the Role
A highly respected architecture and interiors studio with a significant hospitality footprint is seeking a Lead Interior Designer to drive concept, design leadership, and project delivery for world‑class resorts, hotels, spas, restaurants, and casino environments.
This role is ideal for a seasoned designer who thrives on creating memorable guest experiences, leading teams, shaping design narratives, and working closely with clients to bring immersive hospitality environments to life.
You'll lead interior design direction from concept through construction for destination-level projects throughout the Southwest and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership
- Lead the vision, concept development, and storytelling for hospitality interiors including resorts, hotels, spas, restaurants, lounges, and gaming spaces.
- Develop high-level design concepts, palettes, moods, material strategies, and spatial narratives.
- Oversee the creation of presentation materials, renderings, imagery, and design boards.
Project Execution
- Direct interior design development from schematic through construction documents.
- Provide detailed design oversight, ensuring aesthetic and functional continuity across the project.
- Coordinate with architectural, engineering, and specialty consultant teams.
Client & Team Collaboration
- Serve as a primary client-facing leader for interior design direction and presentations.
- Manage and mentor interior designers, junior team members, and external consultants.
- Facilitate client workshops and design sessions, shaping the environment based on vision and operational needs.
Technical + Quality Oversight
- Ensure documentation meets firm standards and hospitality industry expectations.
- Review shop drawings, submittals, and mockups to maintain design intent.
- Support code, ADA, and jurisdictional compliance as it applies to interiors.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or related field.
- 8-15 years of professional experience, with a strong portfolio in hospitality or resort environments.
- Proven experience leading interior design for large or complex hospitality projects.
- Proficiency in Revit/AutoCAD required; skills in SketchUp, Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bluebeam are highly beneficial.
- Deep understanding of hospitality design principles: guest journey, operational flow, brand alignment, and experiential storytelling.
- Strong command of materials, finishes, lighting design, and FF&E requirements for hotels and gaming environments.
- Exceptional presentation, communication, and client leadership skills.
- Experience mentoring or managing design teams.
- NCIDQ or architectural licensure is a plus but not required.
Why This Role Stands Out
- Opportunity to lead high-impact hospitality interiors across major resort and entertainment destinations.
- A studio that values creativity, design authorship, and real ownership of the guest experience.
- Clear growth track toward Design Director, Interiors Lead, or Associate Principal roles.
- Collaborative, design-forward culture with strong market reputation.
FAQs
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