FF&E Designer (Hospitality/Hotels) (MBJ0223)

FF&E Designer - Hotel Interiors

Dubai, UAE

An interior design studio is seeking an FF&E Designer to join its Dubai team, focusing on hotel projects.

This opportunity is for a designer with direct experience developing and specifying furniture, fabrics, decorative lighting and accessories for hotels. You will work closely with the interior design team to create cohesive FF&E schemes that support the design narrative while meeting hotel operator requirements, budgets and the practical demands of hospitality use.

Hotel FF&E experience is non-negotiable. Applicants must demonstrate relevant hotel projects in their portfolio. Residential, workplace or retail experience alone will not meet the requirements of this role.

The role

You will develop hotel FF&E packages from initial concept and sourcing through detailed specification, supplier coordination and delivery support. Your scope will cover guestrooms, suites, corridors, lobbies, lounges, restaurants and other hotel public areas.

The role requires a strong eye for furniture, materials and textiles, alongside the technical knowledge to turn creative ideas into clear, coordinated and commercially achievable specifications.

Key responsibilities

• Develop FF&E concepts, mood boards, furniture selections and material palettes for hotel interiors.
• Select and specify loose furniture, upholstery, fabrics, rugs, decorative lighting, artwork and accessories.
• Design and develop bespoke furniture in collaboration with the interior design team, suppliers and manufacturers.
• Prepare detailed FF&E specifications, schedules and presentation packages, including dimensions, finishes, upholstery, quantities and supplier information.
• Coordinate FF&E selections with interior layouts, room functions, architectural finishes and the wider design scheme.
• Review selections against hotel brand standards, operator requirements, durability, maintenance and applicable fire-performance requirements.
• Source products and materials, obtain samples and quotations, and assess suitability against the design brief and budget.
• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers on customisation, technical details, production feasibility and lead times.
• Review shop drawings, finish samples, prototypes and mock-up room items for alignment with the approved design.
• Support value engineering while protecting design intent and maintaining an appropriate quality level.
• Coordinate with procurement teams to clarify specifications, review proposed alternatives and resolve supplier queries.
• Maintain accurate specification records, sample libraries and revision tracking.
• Support site reviews, installation coordination and FF&E snagging as required.

Essential requirements

• Demonstrable experience working as an FF&E Designer on hotel projects.
• A portfolio showing hotel FF&E schemes and your personal contribution to their development.
• Experience preparing detailed FF&E specifications and schedules-not solely concept presentations or product sourcing.
• Strong knowledge of furniture construction, upholstery, textiles, finishes and decorative lighting.
• Experience developing bespoke furniture and communicating design requirements to manufacturers.
• An understanding of the performance, maintenance and operational demands of hotel furniture and materials.
• Experience working with hotel operator standards and coordinating design approvals.
• Confidence managing supplier communication, samples, quotations and specification updates.
• Strong presentation skills and proficiency in relevant design, documentation and scheduling software.
• A qualification in interior design, furniture design or a closely related discipline.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple packages and deadlines.

Desirable experience

• Luxury or upscale hotel projects.
• Both guestroom and public-area FF&E packages.
• Hotel refurbishment and new-build projects.
• GCC project experience and knowledge of regional suppliers.
• Mock-up room reviews, procurement coordination and installation-stage involvement.

Application requirements

Please submit your CV and a portfolio that clearly identifies:

• The hotel projects you have worked on.
• Your role and specific FF&E responsibilities on each project.
• Examples of furniture and material selections, bespoke furniture development, specifications and schedules.
• The project stages you supported, from concept through delivery.

Applications must demonstrate direct hotel FF&E experience. General interior design experience without a hotel FF&E portfolio will not be sufficient.