General Manager

Location: Nairobi, Kenya Industry: Architecture / Interior Design / Real Estate / Furniture Employment Type: Full-Time | Senior Leadership
About the Role We are looking for a dynamic and results-driven General Manager to lead and grow our operations in Nairobi. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in architecture or interior design by profession, combined with hands-on business leadership experience — ideally gained within the real estate or furniture industry in Kenya. This is a senior role that sits at the intersection of design excellence and commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Drive the overall business strategy, growth targets, and operational priorities in alignment with company goals Identify new market opportunities across real estate, interior fit-out, and furniture sectors in Nairobi and beyond Represent the company at industry events, client meetings, and stakeholder engagements
Operations & Business Performance Oversee day-to-day operations across departments including design, marketing , sales, project delivery, and administration Develop and manage annual budgets, P&L, and financial performance metrics Implement systems and processes that improve efficiency, quality, and profitability
Business Development & Client Relations Lead business development efforts — building and maintaining relationships with developers, architects, designers, and high-net-worth clients Oversee the full client journey from pitch to project completion, ensuring exceptional service delivery Grow the company's portfolio through strategic partnerships, referrals, and market positioning
Team Leadership Recruit, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary team including designers, project managers, and sales staff Foster a high-performance, design-forward culture with clear accountability Conduct regular performance reviews and support professional development
Design & Project Oversight Provide oversight and strategic input on key design and fit-out projects Ensure all deliverables meet the company's quality standards and client expectations Collaborate with the design team to maintain a strong creative vision aligned with market trends
Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field (Master's degree or MBA is an advantage) Minimum 8 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in a senior management role Proven track record in the real estate, interior design, or furniture industry in Nairobi or broader East Africa Strong commercial acumen — experience managing budgets, P&L, and business development pipelines Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills Proficiency in project management tools and design software is a plus
What We're Looking For A confident leader who blends creative thinking with business discipline Someone with an established network in Nairobi's real estate and design ecosystem A hands-on manager who is equally comfortable in the boardroom and on a project site Passion for design quality and client satisfaction