Interior Design Creative Director

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design Vision and Creative Authority
• Establish and champion the interior design vision for Living Studio projects.
• Serve as the final creative authority for interior design direction prior to executive escalation.
• Develop compelling design narratives, experiential strategies, and conceptual frameworks that elevate Living environments.
• Lead design intent across space planning, materiality, color, lighting, FF&E, and interior architecture.
• Ensure design excellence and consistency across all phases – from concept through construction and installation.
• Protect design intent throughout documentation and delivery, collaborating closely with technical teams.
• Integration with Architecture and Vision Studio
• Partner with architectural design leadership to ensure seamless integration between architecture and interiors.
• Operate as a market-sector-embedded creative leader, while remaining tethered to Vision Studio and the Chief Creative Officer.
• Participate in firmwide design reviews, critiques, and charrettes to reinforce Baker Barrios’ design culture and standards.
• Furniture, FF&A, and Experiential Depth
• Lead the integration of furniture and FF&E design as a core component of Living and hospitality-influenced projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure furniture strategy aligns with design narrative, user experience, and brand positioning.
• Contribute to defining how furniture design interfaces with interior architecture across Living projects.
• Client Engagement and Representation
• Serve as a creative ambassador for Baker Barrios’ Living interiors.
• Lead or support client visioning sessions, workshops, and key presentations.
• Present design concepts clearly, persuasively, and at a senior level.
• Balance client input with strong creative judgment, maintaining the integrity of the design vision.
• Mentorship, Culture, and Practice Building
• Mentor interior designers and emerging leaders through critique, guidance, and example.
• Help rebuild a strong Interior Design culture, reinforcing identity, craft, and creative confidence.
• Contribute to the evolution of Baker Barrios’ interior design standards, best practices, and brand expression.
• Support DACI initiatives and long-term efforts to establish Interior Design as a Center of Excellence with specialized studios.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design or Architecture
• NIDQ and/or LEED preferred
• Experience
• 10-15+ years of professional experience in Interior Design or Architecture
• Deep experience in Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Living environments
• Demonstrated leadership in design concept development and client-facing presentations
• Skills and Attributes
• Exceptional design sensibility and creative judgment
• Strong understanding of interior architecture, materials, FF&E, and furniture
• Ability to influence, mentor, and lead without relying on formal authority
• Confident, collaborative, and aligned with Baker Barrios’ Mission, Vision, and Values