FF & E Designer
Summary
An FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) designer at dhk's interior design studio in Cape Town, developing, specifying, and delivering FF&E packages for hospitality-led projects from concept through installation. The role blends creative design (colour, materiality, bespoke furniture) with technical specification, supplier coordination, budgets, and site/installation work.
dhk Interior Design is a vibrant and dynamic team of interior designers who are breaking the mould of what makes great design. We don't believe in designing for trends. Rather, we believe in creating interior spaces that work hard for our clients, using colour, texture, form and materials to express who they are. Our work is contemporary yet timeless. We design for leading blue-chip and boutique clients across the hospitality, multi-residential, commercial, retail and education sectors. And we love what we do.
If this sounds like your dream team and you can tick all the boxes below, then we want to meet you.
We are looking for a talented and passionate FF&E Designer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative studio environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong design sensibility, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to translate creative concepts into well-resolved, commercially viable FF&E solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects and play a key role in shaping exceptional interior environments.
The FF&E Designer is responsible for the creative development, specification and delivery of FF&E packages across dhki projects.
The role requires a strong designer who combines creative instinct with detailed technical and commercial understanding.
Requirements
Essential
- Significant hospitality design experience
- Experience on hotels, lodges, resorts, restaurants or similar hospitality environments
- Experience delivering FF&E packages from concept through to installation
- Experience working directly with clients
- Experience coordinating with suppliers and manufacturers
- Experience developing bespoke furniture
Advantageous
- Luxury or upper-upscale hospitality experience
- African hospitality experience
- International project experience
- Experience working with major hotel operators / hospitality brands
- Experience working on projects outside South Africa
Creative and Design Ability
- Strong natural design sensibility
- Sophisticated understanding of colour
- Strong understanding of materiality and texture
FF&E Technical Knowledge
- Furniture specification
- Decorative lighting
- Quality control
Sourcing & Supplier Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of South African furniture suppliers
- Strong knowledge of local manufacturers and makers
- We are specifically looking for someone who does not simply specify from a familiar supplier list but actively searches for the best solution for each project.
Commercial & Procurement Understanding
- FF&E budgets
- Cost comparison
Site & Installation
- Travel to project sites
- Participate in mock-up room reviews
- Attend supplier/manufacturer inspections
- Review FF&E deliveries
**Travel within South Africa and internationally may be required
Benefits
- A competitive salary, commensurate with experience and expertise
- Dynamic project exposure across building typologies and regions
- Opportunities for growth within a progressive and supportive studio environment
- A culture of continuous learning, design excellence, and sustainability leadership