About
Archibat HR is seeking a talented hospitality Interior Design Director profile for a global award winning interior design company to be based in their Tokyo office.
We are seeking a visionary and highly accomplished Hospitality Interior Design Director to establish and lead their design vision from their Tokyo headquarters. This is a senior leadership role requiring a unique blend of exceptional creative talent, profound hospitality expertise, and proven business acumen. You will be the creative and strategic leader, responsible for winning and directing world-class projects, mentoring a talented team, and building our brand presence in one of the world’s most sophisticated and competitive design markets.
Job description
Responsibilities:
Creative & Design Leadership
– Provide the overarching creative vision and direction for all hospitality projects in the APAC region, ensuring design excellence and innovation that resonates with global and local luxury audiences.
– Lead the conceptual design phase, establishing powerful narratives and design identities for each project (hotels, flagship F&B, luxury resorts).
– Act as the ultimate design authority, conducting reviews and critiques to ensure the highest quality of design development, FF&E selection, and detailing.
– Foster a culture of creativity, research, and inspiration within the studio.
– Maintain an authoritative knowledge of global trends in luxury hospitality, materials, furniture, art, and technology.
Client & Business Development
– Serve as the primary design voice and key client contact for high-profile clients, hotel operators (e.g., Aman, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Luxury Collection), and developers.
– Lead project pitches, presentations, and client workshops, building trust and securing major commissions.
– Work closely with business development and marketing to identify opportunities, build a robust pipeline, and contribute to the studio’s growth strategy in Japan and APAC.
– Represent the firm at industry events, press interviews, and award submissions, enhancing our reputation in the market.
Studio & Operational Management
– Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of interior designers, FF&E specialists, and visualizers.
– Oversee project resourcing, budgeting, and profitability for the design department.
– Ensure seamless collaboration between interior design, technical, and procurement teams.
– Uphold and refine studio processes to ensure efficiency, quality control, and timely delivery.
Strategic & Cultural Contribution
– Contribute to the global design direction and strategy of the firm.
– Ensure all design work demonstrates deep respect for and understanding of Japanese aesthetics, craftsmanship, and cultural nuances, while maintaining a global luxury perspective.
– Develop key local partnerships with artists, artisans, suppliers, and contractors.
Required profile
Requirements:
– Minimum of 12-15 years of progressive interior design experience, with at least 8 years focused exclusively on high-end, luxury hospitality projects (5-star hotels, ultra-luxury resorts, flagship restaurants).
– A proven track record of leading and delivering multiple, completed, award-winning hospitality projects from concept through to opening.
– An exceptional portfolio that demonstrates a sophisticated design sensibility, narrative depth, and expertise in space planning, FF&E, and custom detailing.
– Extensive experience directly interfacing with and presenting to C-level clients, hotel brand executives, and ownership groups.
– Demonstrated experience in building, managing, and inspiring a design team.
– Professional fluency in English. Business-level proficiency in Japanese (JLPT N2 or equivalent) or Native Japanese level is essential for client, team, and market engagement.
Position to be based in Tokyo, Japan.
Please send your cv and portfolio at amd@archibat.com to apply.