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

VERSION FRANÇAISE (version courte)

Directeur / Directrice des Opérations Design (H/F) | Paris, France (Télétravail partiel)

Présentation du poste

Cabinet d'architecture et de design reconnu, spécialisé dans les grands projets d'aménagement d'espaces de travail en France et en Europe, recherche un Directeur ou une Directrice des Opérations Design pour piloter une équipe d'environ huit personnes : budgets, charge de travail et qualité technique. Poste opérationnel, pas de direction créative, avec une réelle autonomie et le soutien de la direction générale.

Responsabilités Principales

• Piloter une équipe design d'environ 8 personnes, plus des ressources freelance.
• Gérer la charge de travail, le planning et l'allocation des ressources.
• Superviser les budgets et le contrôle des coûts.
• Contrôler la qualité des plans techniques avant transmission aux clients.
• Être l'interlocuteur clé des clients internationaux sur la qualité et la livraison.
• Rendre compte à la direction générale.

Qualifications Requises

• Expérience en direction opérationnelle …