Design Director

Design Director

Ovadia Interior Design and Architecture is a nationally recognized interior design and architecture studio in the heart of Manhattan, where modern elegance, warmth, and a sense of play come together in everything we create. We craft fully customized interiors for high-end homes, luxury apartments, and ambitious development and commercial projects, and we genuinely love both the work and the people we do it with.

We are looking for a Design Director to own the creative vision of the firm and to lead the people who bring it to life. This is the senior design seat at Ovadia IDA, reporting directly to our founder and working alongside firm leadership. You will set the aesthetic point of view for every project that leaves this studio, give final approval on design concepts and material selections, and mentor a talented team of designers and interior architects toward work they are proud of. The role calls for a strong aesthetic voice, the confidence to stand behind it, and the generosity to develop that same voice in others.

Position Overview

The Design Director (DD) is the firm's creative lead and an integral part of leadership. You will guide design direction across our interior design and architecture teams, uphold and elevate the standards that define our brand, and make sure projects move from concept through installation on schedule and on budget. You will oversee a portfolio of concurrent projects, lead design reviews and client presentations, and partner closely with Project Management, Purchasing, and Operations so that creative ambition and practical delivery stay in step. Beyond the work itself, you will contribute to executive decisions on studio structure, hiring standards, training, and growth.

Design Vision and Creative Leadership

• Set and protect the design point of view for the studio, guiding concept development so every project tells a cohesive, considered story.
• Lead design charrettes and internal reviews, and give final approval on design concepts, finish palettes, and material and FF&E selections.
• Cultivate a refined, on-brand aesthetic across the team, and keep pushing the work forward so the portfolio continues to evolve.
• Research what is new and next in high-end residential design, bringing trends, makers, and materials back to the studio.
• Lead client presentations and design meetings, communicating the reasoning behind every decision with clarity and confidence.

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Uplift, teach, and inspire the design staff. This is the heart of the role.
• Mentor Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Designers along with our interior architects and drafters, redlining drawings, coaching presentation skills, and offering generous, constructive feedback.
• Develop Lead Designers into confident, capable faces of the project for clients and vendors.
• Onboard the team to new projects and lead internal kickoff meetings.
• Set and monitor goals, milestones, and KPIs for the design team, and build training guidelines that keep getting better.
• Participate in hiring, helping define the credentials and portfolio bar for each design position.

Project Delivery and Quality Control

• Oversee design and project management status across a portfolio of concurrent projects, catching issues early and keeping work moving.
• Guide design decisions so they stay aligned with project budgets, contracts, and schedules.
• Review construction documents and specifications for constructability, coordination, and quality before they go out.
• Partner with Purchasing and Project Management on procurement, lead times, and installation planning so the design intent survives the build.
• Support the team through construction administration, resolving field issues without compromising the vision.
• Manage team workload and capacity planning across the studio.

Standards, Process, and Company Leadership

• Review and refine design standards to continually elevate the brand, including CAD, drawing, presentation, and specification standards.
• Teach those standards to the team and help everyone understand how they can contribute to shaping them.
• Partner with Operations to design, document, and oversee the processes the design team runs on, from project kickoff and milestone reviews through drawing releases and handoffs to Purchasing.
• Work with Operations to keep those processes measured and improving, using time and utilization data to spot bottlenecks and coach the team toward smoother workflows.
• Contribute insight at weekly leadership meetings and collaborate with leadership on decisions that affect the health of the firm.
• Demonstrate the firm's vision, mission, and goals in daily practice, and help create and maintain our culture.
• Weigh in on prospective client fit during interviews and selection.
• Represent the studio in press, awards submissions, and editorial opportunities, partnering with our marketing team on how the work is presented.

What We Are Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related field
• 12 or more years of experience in high-end residential interior design or interior architecture, with NYC experience preferred
• 5 or more years leading a team of five or more designers or architects
• Fluency in residential design documentation from schematic through design development and construction documents, with real familiarity with shop drawings, specifications, pricing, and constructability
• Mastery-level knowledge of interior architecture, custom millwork, lighting, finishes, and FF&E specification
• Expert proficiency in AutoCAD, plus Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of New York trade resources, including the D&D Building, NYDC, and local workrooms and artisans
• Excellent presentation and client management skills, including the ability to run a room and to advise private clients with discretion
• Proven capacity and genuine desire to mentor and develop staff
• A working understanding of project budgets, design hours, and profitability
• The judgment to make decisions and stand behind them, and the organization to oversee many projects at once

Preferred

• NCIDQ certification or architectural registration
• SketchUp, Revit, or rendering experience, and comfort with a marker and trace
• Experience with Studio Designer, ClickUp, Miro, or similar studio platforms
• Experience putting AI and other tools to work to sharpen design workflows
• An established network in the high-end residential market

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Founder and Principal Designer Direct reports: Lead and Senior Designers Secondary reports: Intermediate and Junior Designers, Interior Architects and Drafters

What We Offer

• Base salary range of $155,000 to $190,000, commensurate with experience
• PTO and paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (75% company-paid)
• 401(k) plan
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Summer Fridays
• Professional development support
• Team-building events and a strong company culture

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

This is an in-person role based in our Manhattan studio, with regular travel to project sites, showrooms, and workrooms in the New York area and occasional travel to projects in Deal and Long Island.

How to Apply

Please send your resume along with a portfolio that makes clear your specific contributions to the projects you include. We review every submission.