Proper Hospitality is seeking an experienced Director, Interior Design & FF&E to join our team in Los Angeles.
Position Overview
The Director, Interior Design & FF&E is a senior leadership role charged with driving concept creation, layout planning, and FF&E/OSE strategy across all Proper Hospitality projects—ensuring every space reflects the brand's elevated luxury ethos while meeting budget and schedule. This key position ensures that Proper's distinctive design ethos is translated into practical, repeatable guidelines and delivered flawlessly across a growing global portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Layout Studies & Programming: Lead early‑phase test‑fits, blocking/stacking, and plan guidance in collaboration with operations, consultants, and the Project Coordinator
- Concept & Storytelling: Produce mood boards, palettes, and narratives for new builds, renovations, and management projects
- OSE Design Direction: Select and specify OSE items (china, glass, silver, in‑room accessories) in partnership with the operations team; ensure durability and brand alignment
- FF&E/OSE Budget Ownership: Create and manage budgets; perform value‑engineering without sacrificing design intent
- Vendor Strategy & Negotiation: Build preferred‑vendor matrix; secure pricing & exclusivity where possible
- Shop Drawing Review & QA/QC: Review and approve shop drawings, submittals, and mock‑ups for all FF&E and OSE items
- Project Documentation QA/QC Review: Evaluate drawing and specification packages from internal team and consultants to ensure completeness, coordination, and compliance with brand standards
- Mock‑Up & Prototype Oversight: Direct mock‑up rooms, ensuring ADA, durability, and sustainability criteria are met
Qualifications
- 7+ years of production & documentation experience in luxury hospitality or high‑end residential/hotel interior design
- Proven creative leadership on at least two built 4‑/5‑star hotel projects (portfolio required)
- Deep FF&E procurement expertise: sourcing, logistics, install
- Fluency in Revit and/or AutoCAD; Adobe CC, MS Office, etc.
- Proficiency with AI‑powered design and productivity tools and a demonstrable curiosity for emerging AI workflows
- Strong vendor‑negotiation record (six‑figure savings examples)
- Excellent storytelling & executive‑level presentation skills
Company Overview
Proper Hospitality is a diverse team of passionate individuals who share a common love for hotels and the art of hospitality. Our philosophy is simple: there is a right way to do things, and anything less just isn't proper. We are seeking the best of the best—both within and outside the industry—to join us in building a new kind of lifestyle hospitality company, inspired by a centuries-old tradition. Our work is challenging and fast-paced, but above all, it is rewarding.
To achieve our vision—to inspire and transport people—we seek like-minded candidates who embody our ethos, The Pillars of Proper:
- Care Proper: We are natural and gracious hosts to all.
- Achieve Proper: We are committed to excellence.
- Imagine Proper: We are resourceful.
- Present Proper: We have an appreciation for style and culture.
Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.
We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.