Job Summary: The Manager – Concept Design is responsible for leading the ideation, development, and standardization of creative design concepts for common areas in co-working environments. This role drives innovative spatial solutions, synthesizes business and user requirements, and sets the conceptual direction for common amenities. The Team Lead works closely with CXOs and key stakeholders, ensuring rapid turnaround times (TAT), comprehensive documentation (mood boards, reference images, and 3Ds), and effective handover to the GFC (Good For Construction) design team. The position requires strong leadership, creative direction, and a focus on both design excellence and team performance.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Concept Development & Client Requirement Gathering
- Engage directly with CXOs and key decision-makers to clarify vision, business needs, and functional requirements for common areas (lounges, cafés, reception, collaboration zones, etc.).
- Conduct benchmarking and market research to identify emerging trends and unique amenity concepts relevant to coworking communities.
- Synthesize user, operational, and business inputs into clear, actionable design briefs for the team.
2. Design Concepts & Standardization
- Lead the development of concept layouts, design narratives, and detailed mood boards for common amenity spaces.
- Develop and curate reference images, innovative spatial ideas, and visual narratives that inspire and differentiate the brand’s common areas.
- Drive design standardization, ensuring all concepts align with brand guidelines, project objectives, and can be efficiently executed across multiple locations.
3. Space Utilization & Innovation
- Optimize spatial planning to deliver maximum utility and seamless integration of common amenities within floorplates.
- Challenge conventions and propose new concepts for space use, materiality, and amenity features to enhance community engagement and well-being.
4. Visualizations & Design Handoffs
- Produce and oversee the preparation of high-quality 3D perspectives, renders, and annotated visuals to communicate concepts to stakeholders.
- Create comprehensive concept packs (mood boards, reference images, layouts, and 3Ds) for GFC and detailed design teams to initiate technical documentation.
- Ensure version control, accuracy, and clarity in all materials delivered for execution.
5. Team Management & Collaboration
- Lead, motivate, and develop the concept design team—allocating tasks, reviewing outputs, and ensuring creative and professional growth.
- Foster close collaboration with the GFC/detailed design, QS, MEP, and procurement teams to ensure smooth transition and feasibility of concepts.
- Encourage cross-functional brainstorming and innovation within the team.
6. TAT & Performance Management
- Set and enforce ambitious turnaround times for concept development in sync with business needs and sales timelines.
- Monitor project pipelines and team workload to ensure all deadlines are met or exceeded.
- Continuously track and report performance metrics to the AVP – Design.
7. Documentation & Communication
- Maintain organized, well-structured digital folders for all concept-stage deliverables, ensuring audit-readiness and easy retrieval.
- Communicate clearly and confidently with CXOs, clients, and cross-functional teams about design intent, progress, and required decisions.
