Design Manager / Design Leader

Role Overview We are seeking a talented Design Manager / Design Leader to join our award-winning New York team as we embark on an exciting portfolio of new projects this year. In this role, you will play an integral part in shaping projects from concept through completion—balancing creative direction, client engagement, and fostering team leadership. As a key contributor to both project design and execution, you will help ensure each project is delivered with exceptional quality and thoughtful attention to detail, while also mentoring and supporting our emerging design talent. The ideal candidate is a seasoned interior or architectural designer with a strong collaborative mindset, able to inspire creativity while maintaining a clear and strategic focus.

Key Responsibilities

Lead interior design projects from concept through completion, ensuring alignment with client goals, project scope, and budget. Build trust and foster strong relationships with multiple clients, managing expectations and facilitating clear communication. Provide project teams with context and direction, explaining the “why” behind design decisions and guiding them in solving client challenges. Conduct and lead internal work sessions, management meetings, and client presentations. Mentor, conduct performance reviews and support career development for more junior designers. Ensure design documentation quality by reviewing and redlining outgoing deliverables to minimize risk and liability. Coordinate with peers and project managers to maintain schedule, budget, and resource allocation. Proactively identify design and delivery issues, developing solutions before escalation. Source and coordinate with external vendors, consultants, and contractors as needed for project execution. Participate in recruiting by interviewing candidates and onboarding new hires during growth periods. Support client retention and account growth by contributing to project extensions and additional scopes of work. Required Candidate Qualifications & Skills Professional degree from an accredited interior design or architectural program A minimum of 10 years of post-graduate experience working in an architectural or interior design studio A proven track record leading complex design projects with key stakeholders Outstanding presentation and communication skills Solid leadership capabilities across a project team Confidence in managing client communications and team workflows while still deeply engaged in creative problem-solving. Proficiency in AutoCAD and BIM/Revit Proficiency in Bluebeam and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Photoshop) Direct experience in the Hospitality industry is desirable. Knowledge of 3D Studio Max and Rhino are a plus.

Location

Our Broadway Studio is a hybrid design Studio. This role is based in New York with regular in-person studio hours working with the wider team. On this occasion we can only consider applications from those fully authorized to work in the U.S.

Application

Please submit a resume and portfolio demonstrating your experience as a design manager or design leader along with a cover letter explaining how your experience meets the required criteria for this role. Due to the clear design experience required for this role, applications without portfolios cannot be considered. Salary Pay Range $115,000 —

$145,000 USD

About Journey The Multidimensional Experience Agency Journey is a global design and innovation agency shaping the future through multidimensional experiences (MDX) that connect people, brands, and culture. Our layered MDX approach crafts story-driven, sensory-rich engagement across physical, immersive, digital, and virtual spaces—fuelled by creative and technological innovation. Born from a legacy of pioneering studios, Journey blends strategic thinking with deep creative expertise to deliver solutions across industries. Journey’s MDX approach fuels growth and forges lasting value for audiences and partners, by creating cultural connections that resonate with impact. Start your journey here www.journey.world