A highly respected design practice, renowned for its design excellence across luxury hotels, resorts and destination developments, is seeking an Associate Director to lead and grow its Hospitality Design Studio in Auckland.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced design leader ready to take the next step into a strategic leadership role. The studio is looking for a commercially astute interior designer with a strong network across New Zealand's hospitality, tourism and property sectors, and a proven ability to win and deliver high-profile projects.
Working closely with the Directors, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the studio's growth, leading business development initiatives, strengthening client relationships, and overseeing the delivery of complex hospitality projects throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific. You will also mentor multidisciplinary teams and help drive the studio's reputation for design excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and grow client relationships across the hospitality, tourism and property sectors throughout New Zealand.
- Identify, pursue and secure new business opportunities within the hotel, resort and lifestyle development markets.
- Prepare and lead proposals, submissions, design competitions, presentations and client pitches.
- Provide leadership and mentorship to architects, interior designers and project teams.
- Oversee the successful delivery of complex hospitality projects from concept through completion.
- Manage project performance, including resourcing, profitability, and risk management.
- Collaborate with the Directors to develop studio strategy, expand the hospitality sector and strengthen market presence.
- Champion exceptional design outcomes while balancing commercial performance and client expectations.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing studio culture and contribute to long-term talent development.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a senior leadership position within architecture or interior design.
- Demonstrated experience delivering high-end hospitality, hotel, resort or mixed-use developments.
- Established network within New Zealand's hospitality, tourism, property or development sectors.
- Strong track record of winning work and developing long-term client relationships.
- Experience managing project financial performance and complex stakeholder relationships.
- Outstanding leadership, mentoring and team development skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation and business development capabilities.
- Ability to balance strategic business leadership with hands-on project oversight.
- Passion for creating exceptional hospitality environments and contributing to studio growth.
Culture & Benefits
- Genuine pathway to Director within a growing and internationally recognised design practice.
- Opportunity to shape the future of a leading Hospitality Design Studio in New Zealand.
- Work on landmark luxury hotel, resort and destination projects across New Zealand
- Collaborative, design-led culture with an award-winning leadership team.
- Strong pipeline of premium hospitality and tourism developments.
- Long-term career progression, leadership development and the opportunity to build a lasting industry legacy.