Director of Interior Design

Project Type: Hospitality, High End Luxury, Boutique Hotels

Location: Seattle, WA or Portland, OR
Work Model: Hybrid | Leadership Role

STRM Recruiting is representing a high-impact leadership opportunity with a design-forward hospitality studio seeking its next Director of Hospitality Interior Design.

This is a studio leadership role for a senior hospitality design professional who brings strong creative judgment, business maturity, and the ability to lead both people and growth. The right person will have deep experience shaping lifestyle-driven, amenity-rich, and bespoke hospitality environments and understands how to translate design vision into strong studio performance.

This opportunity is best suited for a leader who has worked across boutique hotels, upper-upscale hospitality, luxury hospitality, and design-forward guest experiences rather than templated, standardized brand work.

About the Opportunity

This role will lead an established hospitality interiors studio with a talented team of approximately 10 designers across multiple locations, with the largest concentration in Seattle and Portland.

The Director will be responsible for the overall direction of the studio, including:

Creative leadership
Team management
Financial oversight
Business development support
Long-range growth

The studio is looking for a leader who can step in, provide direction, strengthen team alignment, and help guide the next phase of growth with a clear point of view.

This is a hybrid position based in either the Seattle or Portland metro area, with an in-office expectation of at least two days per week. Candidates open to relocation may also be considered. Occasional travel is expected, as projects are located nationwide.

What You Will Be Responsible For

Studio Leadership

Lead and mentor a hospitality interiors team across multiple experience levels
Create clarity, accountability, and direction across the studio
Support team development, performance, staffing, and studio culture
Build alignment across design, delivery, and business priorities

Creative Direction

Guide the design vision across hospitality interiors projects
Elevate concept development, storytelling, materiality, guest experience, and execution
Lead reviews and provide design direction that strengthens project outcomes
Maintain a high standard of design quality across the studio’s body of work

Business and Financial Management

Oversee studio performance, utilization, resourcing, and financial health
Manage studio planning with an eye toward profitability and sustainable growth
Bring sound judgment around team structure, workload planning, and business decisions
Support operational discipline without compromising design quality

Growth and Market Presence

Help drive the studio’s growth strategy and market positioning
Build and maintain relationships with clients, ownership groups, operators, and industry partners
Support business development efforts including proposals, interviews, and opportunity selection
Represent the studio well in the market and help expand its visibility and relevance

What They Are Looking For

15+ years of experience in hospitality interior design
Strong background in lifestyle, boutique, upper-upscale, luxury, and amenity-rich hospitality environments
Experience collaborating with major hospitality brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and IHG
Clear understanding of the difference between branded hospitality standards and truly bespoke, design-forward guest environments
Proven ability to lead a team, mentor designers, and manage a studio function
Experience contributing to or leading studio growth strategy
Strong command of studio financials, performance management, and business operations
Ability to balance creative ambition with deadlines, staffing realities, and business goals
Strong communication and leadership presence
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or related field preferred
NCIDQ is a plus

Ideal Background

The strongest candidates will likely come from hospitality design practices where they have led work across:

Boutique hotels
Lifestyle hospitality
Luxury hospitality
Amenity-rich mixed-use hospitality environments
Restaurants, lounges, social spaces, and guest experience-driven interiors
Branded hospitality work with enough range to understand standards, while still bringing a strong bespoke design lens

This is not a fit for candidates whose background is primarily in highly standardized or templated retail-driven environments.

Location and Work Model

Hybrid role
Based in Seattle, WA or Portland, OR
In-office expectation of at least 2 days per week
Open to candidates willing to relocate
Relocation assistance may be available for the right person
Some travel required

Compensation

Portland, OR: $120,000 - $135,000
Seattle, WA: $130,000 - $145,000

Compensation will depend on experience, leadership background, and overall alignment with the role.

Application Materials Requested

Candidates should be prepared to provide:

Resume
Portfolio
Statement of Interest

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Director of Interior Design