SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
Hive Studio – The Creators
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience: 10+ years in commercial interior design
ABOUT HIVE STUDIO
Hive Studio – The Creators is a multidisciplinary design studio specializing in commercial interiors, hospitality, restaurants, retail, and experiential spaces.
From concept and branding to detailed design, permitting, procurement, and construction coordination, we create spaces that are functional, memorable, and built with purpose.
As Hive Studio continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Senior Interior Designer who can take ownership of projects, lead design teams, build strong client relationships, and help us deliver high-quality commercial projects from concept to completion.
THE ROLE
The Senior Interior Designer will be responsible for leading commercial interior design projects from initial concept through construction and completion.
This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced designer who is equally comfortable developing creative concepts, reviewing technical drawings, presenting to clients, coordinating consultants, visiting construction sites, and mentoring the design team.
The ideal candidate is a design thinker, technical problem-solver, project leader, and team mentor who can work independently while collaborating closely with the Principal and the Hive Studio team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Design Leadership
- Lead interior design projects from initial client brief through construction.
- Develop and establish overall design concepts and project direction.
- Create strong, functional, and commercially viable design solutions.
- Develop space planning, material palettes, FF&E, lighting concepts, millwork, and interior details.
- Prepare and lead client presentations.
- Translate client requirements into clear design concepts and deliverables.
- Maintain design consistency and quality throughout all project phases.
- Balance creativity with budget, schedule, functionality, and constructability.
2. Project Leadership
- Take ownership of assigned projects and manage design deliverables from concept through completion.
- Establish project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.
- Manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Coordinate with the Principal, Project Designers, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
- Identify potential project issues and develop solutions proactively.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time and to Hive Studio's quality standards.
- Maintain organized project documentation and communication.
3. Technical Design & Documentation
- Lead and oversee preparation of detailed construction drawing packages.
- Review and coordinate:
- Floor plans
- Reflected ceiling plans
- Interior elevations
- Millwork drawings
- Finish plans
- Finish schedules
- Details
- Furniture layouts
- Lighting coordination
- Signage coordination
- Review drawings for accuracy, completeness, coordination, and constructability.
- Coordinate architectural, structural, MEP, kitchen, lighting, signage, and other consultants.
- Review shop drawings and material submissions.
- Provide technical direction to junior and intermediate designers.
- Ensure design intent is maintained through the documentation and construction phases.
4. Client Management
- Lead client meetings and design presentations.
- Build strong and professional relationships with clients.
- Understand client goals, expectations, budgets, and timelines.
- Communicate design decisions and project requirements clearly.
- Manage design feedback and incorporate revisions effectively.
- Represent Hive Studio professionally throughout the project lifecycle.
- Help identify opportunities for repeat business and long-term client relationships.
5. Consultant & Contractor Coordination
- Coordinate with consultants and external project stakeholders.
- Participate in consultant coordination meetings.
- Review consultant drawings and identify design conflicts.
- Coordinate with contractors during construction.
- Respond to design-related RFIs and clarification requests.
- Participate in site meetings and site visits.
- Review site conditions and assist with resolving design and construction issues.
- Conduct design reviews to ensure the project is being executed according to approved design intent.
6. Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Lead and mentor Junior and Intermediate Designers.
- Delegate project tasks based on project requirements and team capabilities.
- Review drawings, presentations, concepts, and technical deliverables.
- Provide constructive feedback and technical guidance.
- Support the professional growth of team members.
- Help establish and maintain Hive Studio's design standards and workflows.
- Contribute to internal training, Lunch & Learns, Revit training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
7. Materials & Procurement
- Research and specify materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, lighting, and architectural products.
- Maintain strong knowledge of current commercial materials and suppliers.
- Review product specifications and samples.
- Coordinate with Hive Studio's procurement team.
- Review vendor information and quotations where required.
- Ensure selected products meet design, budget, performance, and project requirements.
8. Construction & Project Close-Out
- Participate in site visits throughout construction.
- Review construction progress from a design perspective.
- Provide design clarification to contractors and trades.
- Identify discrepancies between drawings and site conditions.
- Assist with deficiency reviews.
- Support project close-out and ensure design-related issues are resolved.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years of professional experience in commercial interior design, architecture, or a related field.
- Degree or diploma in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related discipline.
- Extensive experience with commercial interior projects.
- Strong experience in hospitality, restaurants, retail, mixed-use, and other commercial environments is highly valued.
- Proven ability to independently lead projects from concept through construction completion.
- Strong understanding of commercial construction and interior detailing.
- Strong knowledge of materials, finishes, millwork, lighting, furniture, and architectural products.
- Strong understanding of the Ontario Building Code and accessibility requirements.
- Experience coordinating with consultants, contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders.
- Experience leading and mentoring design teams.
- Excellent client presentation and communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
Professional Credentials
NCIDQ certification is an asset.
BCIN qualification is an asset.
Candidates without NCIDQ or BCIN will still be considered based on their experience, technical knowledge, design ability, and project leadership capabilities.
SOFTWARE SKILLS
Strong proficiency in:
- Revit
- AutoCAD
- Adobe Creative Suite
- SketchUp
- Enscape, Lumion, or similar visualization software
- Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
Experience with AI tools, visualization technology, VR, and emerging design technologies is considered an asset.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
DESIGNER
You have a strong design eye and understand how to create spaces that are functional, memorable, and commercially successful.
LEADER
You can take ownership of a project, guide a team, delegate effectively, and make confident design decisions.
TECHNICAL THINKER
You understand how design concepts translate into drawings, details, materials, construction, and ultimately a built space.
CLIENT-FACING
You are confident presenting ideas, communicating with clients, managing feedback, and building long-term relationships.
PROBLEM SOLVER
You don't wait for problems to become bigger. You identify issues early and take ownership of finding solutions.
COLLABORATOR
You enjoy working with architects, engineers, contractors, vendors, designers, and clients to bring a project together.
MENTOR
You enjoy sharing knowledge and helping the next generation of designers grow.
INNOVATOR
You are curious about new materials, technologies, AI, visualization, and better ways of delivering design projects.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Within your first year at Hive Studio, you will be expected to:
- Independently lead assigned commercial projects.
- Manage client design meetings and presentations.
- Lead and mentor junior and intermediate designers.
- Review and maintain the quality of design and technical documentation.
- Coordinate effectively with consultants and contractors.
- Resolve design and construction issues proactively.
- Maintain project schedules and deliverables.
- Contribute to Hive Studio's design standards and internal systems.
- Help elevate the overall design and technical capabilities of the team.
WHY JOIN HIVE STUDIO?
At Hive Studio, you won't just be producing drawings.
You will have the opportunity to lead projects, shape experiences, work directly with clients, mentor a growing team, explore new technologies, and play an important role in the growth of a design studio.
We work across exciting commercial and hospitality projects and believe in a culture built around:
Creativity Collaboration Learning Technology Ownership Growth
If you are ready to take your career to the next level and want to be part of a team that is creating more than just spaces, we would love to meet you.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit:
- Resume at info@hive-studio.,ca
- Portfolio showcasing relevant commercial projects
- Brief introduction outlining your experience and interest in Hive Studio
Subject: Senior Interior Designer – Hive Studio
Hive Studio – The Creators
Pay: $70,000.00-$95,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
