An Interior / Venue Designer shapes the physical identity of a restaurant, club, or lounge from the earliest concept stage through to opening. This role translates brand strategy, guest journey goals, and operational requirements into a space that is visually compelling, functional, and commercially effective. In a hospitality opening team, the Interior / Venue Designer plays a central role in ensuring the venue feels distinctive, on-brand, and ready to support smooth service, strong atmosphere, and memorable guest experiences.
This position typically sits within the Consulting, Concept & Opening function and works closely with owners, developers, creative directors, architects, project managers, and operations leaders. Depending on the structure of the business, the role may report to the Concept Director, Creative Director, Project Lead, or Managing Director. It often collaborates across multiple teams, balancing creative vision with operational practicality and budget discipline.
Key responsibilities
- Develop interior design concepts that align with the venue brand, target audience, and business model.
- Create mood boards, design narratives, spatial layouts, finish schedules, and visual presentations.
- Design guest-facing areas such as entrances, dining rooms, bars, lounges, private spaces, restrooms, and circulation zones.
- Work with architects, suppliers, contractors, lighting designers, and FF&E partners to refine and deliver the design.
- Ensure the venue supports operational flow, service efficiency, safety, and capacity targets.
- Select materials, furniture, fixtures, lighting concepts, décor, and styling elements that reinforce the concept.
- Review drawings, samples, and site progress to maintain design intent through to opening.
The type of person who succeeds in this role
- Creative, commercially aware, and highly detail-oriented.
- Strong in visual storytelling, spatial thinking, and hospitality branding.
- Comfortable balancing aesthetics with practicality, durability, and budget constraints.
- Collaborative and confident working with multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
- Organised, adaptable, and able to problem-solve quickly during design development and site execution.
- Passionate about creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but also operationally effective and guest-focused.