Studio Ashby is hiring a head of FF&E to join its office in London.

Who are we?

Studio Ashby is a London-based interior design studio, founded by Sophie Ashby in 2014. We are a dynamic group of twelve experienced designers, working across residential and commercial interior design and creative direction in the UK, Europe and further afield. We pride ourselves on our positive, professional and personal approach in all that we do. We work efficiently and collaboratively to bring integrity and soul to interior life.

What do we do?

Our mission is to create habitable spaces with identity. Whether it’s a home, a restaurant, a hotel or a commercial development, we apply the same creative approach that starts with envisioning the lives of the people who will inhabit it. We question what inspires them, what moves them and how we can fulfil their desires and support their needs with our design. Art plays a central role in our inspiration and process. Stemming from Sophie’s own passion and training in art history, we believe art has a vital place in every interior and no space feels complete without it.

Together with interior design we also provide creative direction. This allows us to create immersive experiences in the environments we design, ensuring the character and style of our clients is felt in substance across all details and touch points. Our creative direction includes many aspects that affect how we experience our environments: from art consultancy and buying to bespoke collaborations, books to uniforms, planting to fragrance. With greater consideration to the many layers that make up our interior world, the deeper the connection we have to it in response.

Relationships are core to all that we do: relationships with our clients, our customers, our suppliers, manufacturers and the many craftspeople and ateliers we work closely with. Our work is a collaborative process involving many different people, and strong relationships are crucial for achieving good results. We believe design should be a positive experience and it’s important to have fun along the way.

What does Sophie believe in?

Sophie has a simple mission, balancing rational and emotional needs to create interiors that are functional but feel warm too. She believes that design should be approachable, not exclusive, and that it can enhance an experience and inspire people. She is inspired in equal parts by people, culture and nature – and where they come together. Her nomadic upbringing and love for travel, combined with her artistic sensibility has given her a deep-rooted curiosity in our sense of place, both how we respond to it and how it shapes us in return.

Sophie believes that good design has meaning: the things we surround ourselves with everyday should move us, and make us feel alive. It is these qualities that she is inspired by and seeks to bring to bring out in her interiors – ultimately it is a soulfulness that allows people to connect to the spaces they inhabit.

What we’re looking for:

• someone who will work alongside the directors of Studio Ashby at the highest level to lead numerous and varied FF&E (with IA) projects, with the assistance of more junior members of the team
• bring in new business using existing contacts in the industry, with confidence in your ability to help with business development on the client side
• together with Sophie, lead and direct the creative and conceptual stages of the project
• ability to push the team, inspire new ideas, helping to source new furniture, antiques and art and bring original and fresh thoughts to the studio
• someone who demonstrates, through every aspect of who they are, a passionate love of design, art and beauty
• someone who will confidently manage and mentor the full FF&E team, helping to trouble shoot and problem solve
• an understanding of the business of interior design and experience in setting up proposals, settings budgets, managing fee negotiations and making sure projects run at a profit
• ability to deliver a strong pitch or presentation with confidence in public speaking ability
• a confident, loyal, trustworthy, dynamic, charming person who can hold their own with clients, suppliers and project teams
• strong knowledge of both interior architecture and FF&E, with the technical understanding to support working across both sides of the business
• someone unafraid to take responsibility and ensure Studio Ashby deliver a seamless service to our clients with exceptional communication throughout
• ability to set and uphold programmes, stick to deadlines, oversee excellent project management at all times
• design and develop beautiful bespoke furniture including case pieces, upholstery, lighting, joinery
• experience in leading client meetings; a confident and accomplished communicator
• able to respond effectively to complex questions whilst working and switching between various projects
• develop detailed specifications
• experience working on all aspects of projects from concept to completion on site
• proactive, open to feedback, with boundless amounts of positive energy

The ideal candidate must have:

• a degree or equivalent in interior design/interior architecture
• at least 10 – 15 years’ post-graduate experience in the luxury residential sector
• full proficiency using Vectorworks, Adobe Creative suite and Microsoft Office Suite
• understanding of project programs and deadlines
• financial understanding of project costs and budget awareness
• good supplier and product knowledge, including FF&E and finishes
• high standard of technical understanding, and broad knowledge of materiality
• fluent in spoken and written English. Impeccable and concise communication
• an exceptional eye for detail, colour, and knowledge of antiques

If you think that your skills, experience, and personality make you well suited to this role we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and portfolio using the ‘apply’ link below.

www.studioashby.com