Design Director Interior Design Jobs in Rutherford, NJ

FXCollaborative leverages broad expertise in architecture, interiors and planning to enrich our world with responsible, intelligent, and beautiful design. The firm's holistic approach integrates client aspirations, an urban sensibility, and a celebration of the craft of building. FXCollaborative's work ranges from the scale of individual buildings and interiors-office towers, multi-family residences, cultural facilities, workplace, K-12 and higher-education institutions-to the city as a whole, addressing infrastructure and transportation.

In partnership with FXCollaborative and Lemay_id, (Lemay's hospitality-focused design arm) this role extends beyond a traditional interior's leadership position. The Director will operate across both FXCollaborative and Lemay_id platforms, building and leading a dual-sector practice spanning residential, workplace and hospitality environments. This includes shaping design excellence, cultivating new client relationships, and driving project opportunities across both brands.

This role balances design leadership, project leadership, and strategic client engagement. 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, mentoring teams, and helping define the future of the practice.

Position Responsibilities:

• Act as a shared design leader across FXCollaborative and Lemay_id, aligning design vision, quality, and delivery across all sectors
• Bridge residential, workplace and hospitality design thinking, translating insights from each sector into differentiated, best-in-class experiences
• Collaborate with leadership from both firms to define joint growth strategy, market positioning, and client targeting
• Champion a hospitality-driven approach to workplace and residential design and vice versa, elevating user experience, brand expression, and spatial storytelling

Design and Project Management

• Lead projects that span workplace, hospitality, residential and hybrid typologies
• Integrate hospitality principles-guest experience, storytelling, brand immersion-into interior design strategies
• Ensure concept rigor extends to highly experiential environments

Business Development and Marketing

• Originate, secure, and lead new client opportunities across
• Build and maintain trusted client relationships, identifying opportunities for continuous collaborations and growth
• Partner with senior leadership to develop market strategies
• Lead high-impact pitches, interviews, and thought leadership initiatives that position the practice competitively

Leadership and Team Management

• Build and lead integrated project teams fostering collaboration across geographies and disciplines
  
• Mentor designers in interior methodologies, encouraging cross-training and sector fluency while fostering a culture of collaboration, design excellence, accountability, and creativity

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in interior design/interior architecture
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects from concept through completion
• Strong design, technical, and presentation capabilities
• Experience managing client relationships and leading project teams
• Proficiency in project planning, scoping, and proposal development
• Deep knowledge of programming, space planning, materials, and construction methodologies
• Experience coordinating with consultants, vendors, and contractors
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and visualization tools
• Architectural licensing or NCIDQ accreditation required
• LEED accreditation or interest in sustainable design preferred
• Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field
• Experience in residential, workplace and hospitality sectors strongly preferred (or demonstrated ability to bridge)
• Strong network within real estate, corporate occupiers, hospitality operators, or developers
• Demonstrated success leading mixed-use or experience-driven projects
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build a practice, not just operate within one

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, transgender, gender identity or expression, observance of the Sabbath, political activities, caregiver status, unemployment status, use of a service dog, criminal/arrest record, credit history, lawful use of any product or lawful recreational activities when not at work, traits historically associated with race, religious attire or facial hair, reproductive health decisions, citizenship or immigration status. FXCollaborative takes affirmative action in support of its policy to and advance in employment individuals who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.