Head of Design

Head Of Design

Seeking a senior residential design leader to own the complete design process for high end custom homes and major renovations, from initial homeowner consultation through final construction walkthrough.

The ideal candidate combines strong creative design ability with construction knowledge, budget and schedule discipline, homeowner relationship management, and proven leadership of interior designers. This person will establish design standards, improve processes, mentor the design team, manage multiple projects, and ensure designs are accurate, buildable, on budget, and delivered on schedule.

This is a hands on leadership role, not purely a creative or studio based position. The candidate must be comfortable working directly with homeowners, project managers, architects, trades, and active construction sites.

Design Department Leadership

• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop Interior Designers.
• Conduct regular goal setting, performance reviews, and development discussions.
• Establish and maintain consistent design standards.
• Assign designers to projects and balance workloads.
• Support complex projects and sensitive homeowner relationships.
• Recruit and onboard additional design team members.

Homeowner Design Experience

• Lead homeowners through discovery, concept development, design development, selections, and final specifications.
• Develop mood boards, material palettes, renderings, and design documentation.
• Conduct homeowner selection meetings and guide timely decisions.
• Establish decision deadlines and prevent stalled selections.
• Communicate design limitations, budget concerns, and difficult decisions professionally.
• Visit job sites with homeowners and project managers to verify designs are being constructed correctly.

Budget and Schedule Management

• Participate in project budgeting and maintain selections within approved budgets.
• Obtain and review pricing for selection items.
• Identify cost, availability, and lead time risks early.
• Communicate change orders and their cost and schedule impact.
• Coordinate selections with the construction schedule.
• Ensure design deliverables and selections are completed on time.

Documentation and Process Management

• Maintain accurate design documentation, selections, revisions, and as built information.
• Maintain current project binders and eliminate outdated documentation.
• Develop and maintain design SOPs and QA processes.
• Establish standards for selections, documentation, software usage, and homeowner communication.
• Improve the design process and preconstruction to construction handoff.

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with architects during redlining and plan revisions.
• Work closely with Project Managers on purchasing and material delivery.
• Coordinate with cabinetry, millwork, finish carpentry, and other trades.
• Confirm design details are practical and constructible.
• Participate in project planning and internal team meetings.

Qualifications and Certifications

Required

• 5 plus years of high end residential design, custom home, or major renovation experience.
• 2 plus years leading, managing, or mentoring Interior Designers.
• Advanced proficiency with Chief Architect, including renderings and design documentation.
• Experience with BuilderTrend or comparable construction management software.
• Strong knowledge of cabinetry, millwork, finish carpentry, and construction sequencing.
• Portfolio demonstrating high end residential design, construction documentation, and renderings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously.
• Strong homeowner facing communication and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of residential construction, budgets, schedules, selections, and change orders.
• Valid drivers license and willingness to regularly visit active construction sites.

Preferred

• Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or related field.
• NCIDQ certification.
• NKBA credentials such as CKD or CMKBD.
• Adobe Creative Suite or comparable design and presentation software.
• Consultative sales experience with high net worth homeowners.
• Experience developing SOPs and design systems.
• Established relationships with residential vendors, showrooms, and trades.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Performance based bonus.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401k with company match.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Company provided computer, tablet, and software.
• Travel expenses and per diem when applicable.
• Continuing education and professional credential support.
• Leadership mentorship and professional development.