Head of Spatial Design, Asset Enhancement

Head of Spatial Design, Asset Enhancement.

Singapore.

FORM Careers exclusive mandate

Lead a new 360° building transformation division for a global branding and property marketing firm, translating brand visions into 3D spaces on landmark projects in Singapore and the region.

Location: Central Singapore

Sector: Asset Enhancement

Experience: 10–15+ years

The Opportunity:

FORM Careers has been exclusively retained by a global branding and property marketing firm, which is seeking a Head of Spatial Design to lead an exciting new strategic division in Singapore. The firm works with the biggest and best developers, funds and property brands on landmark projects worldwide, creating the brands behind some of the most recognisable commercial, residential and mixed-use developments.

The new division will offer clients 360° building transformation: branding together with the architectural and interior renovation and revitalisation of assets. The Head of Spatial Design will be the founding member of this service in the region, building it from the ground up with an established client following and a landmark project in the pipeline.

With the tailwind of rapid development across Asia, there is now a tranche of assets in need of a new story, and a proven appetite from clients for this service. This is an opportunity for a senior design leader to make a real difference, leading a new initiative and giving buildings new life.

What Makes This Role Different:

The real differentiator of this role is that it is led from the front. The Head of Spatial Design will be involved in the very first discussions around an existing asset, helping to establish a new story for the space and designing alongside the branding team, often before it becomes a brief.

Rather than a traditional consultancy, where the designer is briefed on a piece of work once the new branding and direction for an asset have already been set, this role is one seamless front-end lead on a project, translating the brand vision into a 3D world.

The Head of Spatial Design will work directly with senior leaders at major developers and funds, on some of the biggest and best projects across SE Asia.

The Role:

This is a senior role, and the Head of Spatial Design will be the conductor of this new business segment. Key to the role is translating a 2D branding vision into 3D spaces and leading the revitalisation of existing buildings.

The Head of Spatial Design will roll their sleeves up and be hands-on with design work themselves, while knowing when to delegate and who to call on externally, whether that is an interiors, landscape or specialist consultants.

Business development requirements are limited. The firm has an established client following, as well as a marketing and new business team who develop the project pipeline. The Head of Spatial Design will be client-facing, presenting their ideas alongside the branding vision, and will have the opportunity to extend and add on further work as a consultant to the client.

The Projects:

The Head of Spatial Design will lead a varied pipeline of projects, both in location and scope. Some will be more demanding and architectural, others more interior-led with locations ranging from in Singapore to across SE Asia region. Projects are mainly commercial, but also include residential, retail, hospitality and cultural assets, and could include:

• Refits of common spaces, arrival and lift lobbies and amenities.
• Common entertainment, retail and F&B spaces.
• Planning for digital integration and activation (apps, entertainment, advertising).
• Façade and public realm enhancement.
• Signage and wayfinding, integrated with the brand.
• Marketing suites and show galleries.

Alongside the spatial work, the firm’s wider teams deliver customer journey, place strategy and positioning, naming and brand identity, CGIs, film, websites and apps to activate the leasing, sales campaigns that bring assets to market along with supporting ongoing operations. The Head of Spatial Design will work closely with these teams, so the brand is carried through every touchpoint of the building.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the new spatial design division as its founding member in the region, shaping how the service works and grows.
• Take part in initial discussions around existing assets, establishing a new story for each space alongside the branding team.
• Translate a 2D branding vision into 3D environments, bringing the brand’s DNA and story to life through sketches, mood boards and conceptual renders.
• Find differentiation for each owner and brand, creating engaging concepts and a seamless customer journey.
• Lead the refurbishment, renovation and revitalisation of existing buildings from concept through to completion.
• Be hands-on with design work on key projects.
• Appoint, brief and lead external consultants, including interiors, landscape and specialist consultants, as each project needs.
• Review and comment on shop drawings and implementation by others.
• Present design ideas alongside the branding vision to senior clients and stakeholders.
• Build trusted client relationships and identify opportunities to extend or add on further work as a consultant.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects across Singapore and the region.

Experience & Qualifications:

• An Architect or Interior Designer, with a degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture or Interior Design.
• 10–15+ years’ professional experience.
• Senior-level experience, we are open to reviewing candidates from Associate level up to an established Design Director.
• Experience working with brands to develop 2D concepts into 3D environments is ideal.
• A background in architecture, interior design or both, ideally across the commercial or retail sectors, although we are open to other sectors.
• Experience with refurbishment, repositioning or adaptive reuse of existing buildings is highly regarded.
• A seasoned operator, experienced in leading projects, coordinating consultants and driving client success.
• Personable and confident in client meetings, with the presence to earn clients’ trust.

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for a senior, proactive design leader who wants to make a difference and lead this new initiative. They will be comfortable leading from the front, rolling their sleeves up on project work, and personable and confident with clients.

This role would suit an Associate looking to take their career on a slightly different tangent, or an established Design Director looking to try something a little different and pull on all their acquired skills.

Benefits:

• Founding role in an exciting new strategic division.
• Landmark projects with the biggest and best developers, funds and property brands.
• Flexible working: three days in the office and two from home.
• 18 days annual leave.
• No big hierarchy or corporate ladder, with real autonomy in the role.
• Part of a well-respected international group with offices across Australia, China, Europe and the US.

Location: Central Singapore

Project Exposure: Singapore, with regional projects across Asia.

Sector Focus: Building transformation of existing commercial, residential, retail, hospitality and cultural assets.

Team: Singapore team of 12, within an international group.