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Design Director Interior Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Interior Design Director's overall responsibility is to champion design excellence for all projects in the interiors discipline, including integrated and stand-alone projects. In partnership with ...

The Interior Design Director's overall responsibility is to champion design excellence for all projects in the interiors discipline, including integrated and stand-alone projects. In partnership with ...

Interior Design Director

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$153K - $225K/yr

We are seeking a bold, future-focused Interior Design Director to lead our award-winning Boston interior design practice. This is more than a leadership role--it's a rare opportunity to shape the ...

Interior Design Director

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$153K - $225K/yr

We are seeking a bold, future-focused Interior Design Director to lead our award-winning Boston interior design practice. This is more than a leadership role-it's a rare opportunity to shape the next ...

The Interior Design Leader partners closely with the Architecture Design Leader and cross ... direct-report managers so leadership capability compounds across team layers. * Cross-Functional ...

The Interior Design Director will lead complex, high-impact work across sectors including workplace, hospitality, residential, and mixed-use environments, while leading business development efforts ...

The Interior Design Director will lead complex, high-impact work across sectors including workplace, hospitality, residential, and mixed-use environments, while leading business development efforts ...

Design Director

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$125K - $155K/yr

DESIGN DIRECTOR Overview The Design Director is a senior creative leader responsible for commercial interior design leadership. This position will bridge the gap between creative vision and practical ...

DESIGN DIRECTOR Overview The Design Director is a senior creative leader responsible for commercial interior design leadership. This position will bridge the gap between creative vision and practical ...

Design Director (Workplace)

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$125K - $155K/yr

DESIGN DIRECTOR Overview The Design Director is a senior creative leader responsible for commercial interior design leadership. This position will bridge the gap between creative vision and practical ...

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Design Director Interior Design information

See salary details

$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do design director interior design jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for design director interior design in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Design Director in Interior Design typically collaborate with clients and project teams throughout a project?

As a Design Director in Interior Design, you play a central role in bridging client vision with the creative and technical efforts of your team. You will regularly meet with clients to understand their needs, present concepts, and gather feedback, while also mentoring designers and coordinating with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure that design intent is realized. Effective communication and leadership are key, as you'll review project progress, resolve challenges, and keep everyone aligned on goals and timelines. This collaborative environment not only ensures project success but also offers opportunities to refine leadership and project management skills.

What does a Design Director in Interior Design do?

A Design Director in Interior Design leads and oversees the creative vision for interior spaces, ensuring that projects align with client goals and brand identity. They manage design teams, coordinate with clients, architects, and contractors, and are responsible for the overall quality and consistency of interior design projects. Their role includes developing concepts, reviewing design plans, and making key decisions on materials, furnishings, and layouts. Design Directors also mentor junior designers and help secure new business for their firm by presenting ideas and proposals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Director in Interior Design, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Director in Interior Design, you need a strong background in interior design principles, project management, and a degree in interior design or a related field, often with NCIDQ certification. Expertise in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite is typically required. Leadership, creative vision, and excellent client communication skills set exceptional candidates apart. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering innovative design solutions, managing teams, and ensuring client satisfaction in complex projects.

What is the difference between Design Director Interior Design vs Interior Designer?

AspectDesign Director Interior DesignInterior Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Interior Design, certifications like NCIDQBachelor's degree in Interior Design or related field, NCIDQ certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentLeading design teams, overseeing multiple projects, client presentationsExecuting design plans, working directly with clients, space planning
Employer & Industry UsageDesign firms, architecture firms, large corporationsInterior design firms, residential and commercial projects

While both roles require interior design credentials and industry experience, the Design Director Interior Design focuses on leadership, project oversight, and strategic planning, whereas the Interior Designer handles the execution of design concepts and client interactions. The director role involves managing teams and high-level decision-making, making it more senior and managerial in scope.

More about Design Director Interior Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Design Director Interior Design jobs? Cities with the most Design Director Interior Design job openings:
What states have the most Design Director Interior Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Design Director Interior Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Design Director Interior Design job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Interior Design Director

Perkins & Will

Dallas, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

The Interior Design Directorโ€™s overall responsibility is to champion design excellence for all projects in the interiors discipline, including integrated and stand-alone projects. In partnership with the studio Design Director, the Interior Design Director ensures all interiors projects adhere to the firmโ€™s commitment to creating a better, beautiful, more equitable world through Living Design. The Interior Design Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and functional aspects of our projects, from concept to completion, collaborates closely across disciplines to deliver design solutions that exceed expectations and elevate the human experience. Interiors Design Directors should foster a culture of design within their discipline and are responsible for the recruitment and mentorship of talent ensuring the elevation of diverse staff and skillsets to build a bench of the next generation of interior design talent within a studio.ย ย 

ย 
Common and Baseline Responsibilities
  • In partnership with the studio Design Director, provides visionary interiors design leadership by setting a clear direction for the studioโ€™s interiors discipline, guiding teams in the creation of interior design concepts, and ensuring alignment with project goals and client expectations.ย 
  • Leads design teams, at all stages of the design process, in generating contemporary solutions that are sustainable and innovative responses to client needs.ย 
  • Oversees the quality of the interior design process, product, and delivery for the interiors discipline.ย 
  • Participates in project scope delineation, work plan creation and implementation, and fee negotiations for stand-alone and where appropriate, integrated interior design projects.ย 
  • Familiarity with all design phases of typical commercial scale project (s) including: programming, visioning, conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction documents phases as well as managing and responding to submittals and RFIs.ย 
  • Participates in staffing and team organization and composition by helping to identify team members for project teams in alignment with client goals, team member skillsets, and aspirations.ย 
  • Leads, mentors, and inspires interior design teams to foster a collaborative and creative work environment.ย 
  • Collaborates and cultivates strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and project teams to understand project requirements and develops innovative interior design solutions that meet functional, aesthetic, and financial objectives.ย 
  • Sets the interior design direction for projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives, brand identity and project goals.ย ย 
  • Collaborates with design teams to ensures all project information is up to date in HUB.
  • Provides guidance to project teams and conducts regular design and quality control reviews to ensure that the firmโ€™s standards and design goals are being met.ย 
  • Engages with studio Design Director to request, organize and execute peer workshops at the appropriate point for each project.ย 
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with key decision makers and influencers on client teams.ย 
  • Partners with local Talent Managers and studio leadership to identify, interview, recruit, and mentor interior design staff.ย 
  • Advances the design culture of the firm at the local studio level, focusing on firmwide initiatives like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), career development, and talent advancement.ย 
  • Mentors staff to ensure their personal and professional development goals are met.ย 
  • Builds relationships with professional organizations and academic institutions.ย 
  • Keeps abreast of current developments, trends, and practices within the interiors discipline.ย 
  • Actively participates in studio marketing activities, to include all go/no-go decisions, go-to market interview strategy preparation, and has a leadership role at interviews.ย 
  • Proactively engages in processes connecting to potential clients and brokers to vet potential projects, and works collaboratively to generate submittals required to identify and win work as the representative of the studio interior design practice.ย ย 
  • Participates in marketing, helping to strategize and win stand-alone and integrated work for the studio. Monitors, advises, reviews, and participates in marketing activities.ย 
  • Demonstrable track record of peer recognized, award winning built/unbuilt designs that have been published nationally and potentially internationally.ย ย 
  • Partners with design teams to compose written and graphic presentations for clients, stakeholders and peer reviewers to include the choreography of internal design submittals for peer juried workshops and competitions.ย ย 
ย 
High-level Summary of Critical, Baseline Technical Skills and Certifications
Proficiencies
  • Experience leading collaborative design teams across disciplines and practices: Workplace, Science & Technology, Sports/Recreation/Entertainment, Corporate/Commercial, Civic/Cultural, Higher Education, K-12, Health Care.ย ย 
  • Knowledge of industry regulations, health/life safety requirements, and interior building codes.ย 
  • Knowledge of site, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, contract documents, and constructionย 
  • Strong design portfolio, ideally broad based on a range of project types.ย 
  • Strong familiarity of and ability to support project budgeting and contract negotiations.ย 
  • Strong working relationships with clients and consultants.ย 
  • Experience in hiring, directing, mentoring and coordinating successful project teams.ย 
  • Strong ideator and conceptual thinker.ย 
ย 
Software
  • ย Working knowledge of Revit. Working knowledge of conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopperย 
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office / Adobe Suiteย 
  • Working knowledge of visualization tools such as Enscape and VRayย 
Licensure/Certifications/Education
  • Architectural license, NCIDQ, or LARE as appropriateย 
  • Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design or related discipline required.ย 
  • LEED GA within 6 months of hireย 
  • Professional accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, CPHC/CPHE Passive House Institute Certified Passive House, or ILFI Living Fu

*Equal Employment Opportunity Statementย ย 

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (โ€œEEOโ€), which is part of the Companyโ€™s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.ย 

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