Head of Design Operations

Our client is an established architecture and design firm specialising in large-scale workplace projects across France and wider Europe. As the business enters its next phase of growth, they are seeking a Head of Design Operations to take operational ownership of the design function which includes leading a team of designers and technical staff, managing budgets and workload, and ensuring every concept and technical output meets the standard their international clients expect.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on operational leadership to design professionals and external freelance resources, across concept development and technical design phases.
• Manage workload allocation, resourcing and scheduling so the team delivers reliably and to deadline.
• Own budget oversight and cost control across the design function.
• Review, challenge and quality-check technical plans and design outputs before they go to clients, ensuring they meet required technical, accessibility and regulatory standards.
• Act as a key client-facing point of contact on design quality and delivery for international clients on large-scale workplace projects.
• Strategically deploy freelance and external resources for technical or lower-value tasks to support the team's ability to scale.
• Coach, mentor and develop a team of creative and technical professionals, building a stable, high-performing team culture.
• Partner closely with the pre-construction and delivery teams to ensure a seamless handover of projects from concept through to completion.
• Report to senior leadership on team performance, project status and resourcing needs.

Requirements

• Significant experience in an operational leadership role within architecture, interior design, workplace fit-out or construction, gained in a design, delivery or technical management capacity.
• Proven track record managing and developing teams of design or technical professionals, including workload planning and resourcing.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing project budgets and cost control.
• Strong technical literacy, with the ability to read, review and challenge technical and design plans, even without personally producing creative concepts.
• Client-facing experience, with the ability to build trust with international clients.
• Professional working proficiency in French.
• Eligibility to work in France, or to obtain the relevant right to work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background as an architect, interior designer, or in a related technical/design discipline. Candidates from construction or similar technical backgrounds are also encouraged to apply; a design qualification is not essential.
• Working knowledge of Revit.
• Fluency in English is valuable given the team's exposure to international projects across Europe.
• Experience developing creative concepts and pitching to clients (an advantage, not a requirement).
• Experience in workplace design, fit-out, or large-scale commercial interior projects.

Benefits

• Base salary: €75,000 to €90,000 gross per annum, commensurate with experience, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate.
• Variable incentive: To be confirmed and discussed with shortlisted candidates.
• Working pattern: Hybrid, 2 days of remote work per week.
• Travel: Approximately 5% of time, across European project sites.
• Leave: French statutory annual leave entitlement (minimum 25 working days). Any additional leave or benefits to be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.

Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.

To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit Keller Executive Search: Recruitment and Headhunting Paris

FRENCH VERSION (short version)

Head of Design Operations (M/F) | Paris, France (Partial Remote Work)

Job Overview

A renowned architecture and design firm, specializing in major workplace design projects in France and Europe, is seeking a Head of Design Operations to lead a team of approximately eight people: budgets, workload, and technical quality. This is an operational role, not a creative leadership role, with real autonomy and the support of senior management.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead a design team of approximately 8 people, plus freelance resources.
• Manage workload, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Oversee budgets and cost control.
• Ensure the quality of technical plans before they are sent to clients.
• Serve as the key point of contact for international clients regarding quality and delivery.
• Report to senior management.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in operational leadership (architecture, interior design, fit-out, or construction).
• Management of technical or creative teams, including budgets.
• Ability to challenge technical plans, even without producing creative concepts.
• Professional fluency in French.
• Right to work in France.

Desired Qualifications

• Degree in architecture or interior design (not essential).
• Knowledge of Revit.
• Fluent English.
• Experience in workplace design.

Compensation Package

• Salary: €75,000 to €90,000 gross/year, depending on experience.
• Remote Work: 2 days/week.
• Travel: approximately 5%.
• Relocation: assistance available for Paris.
• Leave: French legal minimum (25 working days).

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