Creative Director (Architectural Background) – Open to Expats

This role is for a design-first Creative Director with a proven track record delivering iconic, competition-winning architecture and interior projects across hospitality, ultra-luxury residential, and mixed-use developments.

You will set the creative vision across the portfolio, personally lead flagship competitions and key projects, and elevate dwp’s global design reputation through exceptional concepts, storytelling, and execution, supported (not replaced) by emerging technologies including AI.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can move seamlessly between big-picture vision, design detail, client persuasion, and studio mentorship.

Key Responsibilities

1. Creative & Design Leadership

• Define and champion the overall creative direction of dwp projects, aligned with brand values and international best practice
• Personally lead concept design for key competitions, flagship projects, and strategic clients
• Drive design excellence across architecture and interiors, ensuring clarity of vision from concept through delivery
• Review, challenge, and elevate design output across studios with clear, actionable feedback
• Shape compelling design narratives and presentations that consistently win work
• Maintain strong awareness of global design trends, luxury benchmarks, and emerging typologies

2. Competitions, Pitches & Design Storytelling

• Lead and oversee competition strategies, concepts, and presentations
• Act as creative lead or mentor on major pitches, ensuring coherence, originality, and commercial intelligence
• Work closely with Business Development and Marketing to position design as a key differentiator
• Support international design award submissions and external recognition

3. Project Oversight & Design Governance

• Provide senior design oversight across projects from concept to completion
• Ensure design intent, quality, and experience are protected throughout delivery
• Participate in key client meetings, consultant workshops, and milestone reviews
• Conduct selective site visits to ensure built outcomes reflect original vision
• Balance creativity with programmed, budget, and constructability realities

4. Studio Leadership & Talent Development

• Inspire, mentor, and develop Design Directors, Senior Designers, and emerging talent
• Build a studio culture that values design rigor, curiosity, collaboration, and accountability
• Support recruitment of top-tier design talent aligned with dwp’s creative ambitions
• Identify and nurture future creative leaders within the practice

5. Client & External Representation

• Act as a senior creative ambassador for dwp with clients, partners, and industry bodies
• Build trusted relationships with developers, operators, consultants, and stakeholders
• Represent dwp at industry events, conferences, and international forums

6. Technology, Innovation & AI (Balanced + Realistic)

• Explore and integrate AI and emerging design technologies to enhance:
• Concept exploration & visualization
• Design research & information synthesis
• Workflow efficiency and collaboration
• Apply human judgment and creative authorship to guide and curate AI-assisted outputs
• Encourage studio-wide experimentation without compromising design integrity

7. Sustainability & Design Responsibility

• Embed sustainable design principles into concept development and delivery
• Promote responsible material use, energy efficiency, and long-term value creation
• Align projects with international sustainability benchmarks and dwp’s Environmental, Social, and Governance and goals

Ideal Candidate Profile & Experience & Background

• 15+ years’ experience in architecture and/or interior design, with senior leadership exposure
• Strong portfolio of hospitality, ultra-luxury residential, mixed-use, or destination projects
• Proven success leading high-profile competitions and client presentations
• Experience working with international clients, consultants, and complex stakeholder groups
• Background in globally respected design studios or client-side design leadership is highly valued

Credentials

• Architecture or Design degree (Chartered Architect or equivalent preferred but flexible)
• Nice to have: International project exposure across Asia, Middle East, Europe, or global markets

Personal Attributes

• Design-led, opinionated (in a good way), and visually literate
• Confident communicator who can sell ideas without ego
• Strategic thinker who still loves getting hands-on
• Comfortable leading senior creatives, not micromanaging, not disengaged