Innovative Senior Interior Designer

Innovative Senior Interior Designer

Traci Connell Interiors is seeking an innovative senior designer. Traci Connell is on a journey to help Interior Designers achieve a renewed appreciation for the art of business as it blends design, and life through loyalty, luxury, and satisfaction.

We are looking for a senior interior designer to catapult design projects from concept to completion. This is an in-office position in Traci Connell's Dallas studio.

An exemplary candidate will define project requirements, schedule, and budget. They execute or oversee every step in the process to achieve project goals. Their precision and attention to detail is coupled with a can-do attitude and strong willingness to "figure it out".

The goals for the position include working with an ability to keep things moving with minimal supervision and a self-motivated desire in a positive, professional, shepherding manner with all constituents as well as guiding and supervising the work of the junior designer.

Projects are planned and executed by the senior, on time, and meet project and profit goals with high customer satisfaction while bringing a strong, creative, innovative design to all projects.

This position is interviewing immediately with a start date (flexible) as soon as possible. This is a full-time staff position with paid time off, bonus structure, plus other benefits.

Job Description

The senior designer will have a high level of responsibility and ownership of the projects he/she manages and will lead the creation of a project's comprehensive interiors scheme. The designer will be expected to have a self-appointed and proactive responsibility for the coordination of interior architecture, programming, space planning, and material selections to be approved. The goal of this position is to be a team lead for the design, selection, and specification of all FF&E [furnishings, finishes, and equipment] and he/she will be responsible for the design and technical coordination for all facets of the interior design package. The senior designer is required to have an extreme eye for creativity and unique design solutions that are proactively curated. We believe this new team member is a key component to the success of our firm.

Essential Job Functions and Key Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the expected nature of responsibility and leadership as well as the level of work. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Manage project start to close including project profitability
   • Lead initial client intake process to maintain client project calendars with milestones and due dates
   • Communicate/collaborate with Principal on job concept and project goals
   • Proactively create a complete job scope list and establish a client budget
   • Work with contractors to create a realistic schedule/timeline of the job to ensure all parties have the same expectations
   • Prepare client contracts/proposals for approval
   • Update client budgets and specifications
   • Review and approve shop drawings
   • Track design client invoices and payments
   • Ensure materials and furnishings are within profit margin specifications
   • Provide exceptional customer service
   • Ensure project is on target, high quality, on time, and profitable
2. Lead staff to execute a project in a positive, professional, profitable manner
   • Lead, coach, train, monitor, and mentor design assistant/junior designer in a successful execution
   • Conducts regular one-on-one meetings with design assistant/junior designer
   • Provide clear, proactive, direct, frequent communication and interface with teammates
3. Establish positive, professional client, contractor, and vendor relations
   • Lead client meetings and present content in a positive, professional manner
   • Provide clear, proactive, direct, frequent communication and interface with vendors, contractors, and clients
   • Provide weekly status updates
   • Inform clients and vendors of changes
   • Analyze and resolve complex technical, design, and installation issues
   • Perform site measurements
   • Review shop drawings and work with vendors to ensure the desired vision
   • Troubleshoot and address problems in a pro-active, professional manner
4. Create 3D designs, architectural models, renderings, and drawings
   • Create 3D designs for bathrooms, kitchens, and furniture layouts
   • Create detailed permit and construction drawing sets, including plans, elevations, and sections
   • Design and create construction drawings for custom built-ins and furniture
   • Research specifications required for drawings
   • Develop floor plans, elevations, and CAD drawings
5. Create client mood boards, presentations, and specifications
   • Create initial design concepts in collaboration with Principal/Creative Director
   • Designs are innovative, highly creative, and produce a wow factor upon review
   • Include unique artisan products
   • Present and deliver client presentation as directed
6. Research and select materials, finishes, furnishings, fixtures
   • Specify materials, finishes, furnishings, lighting, accessories, etc. required for each project
   • Explore boutique, artisan lines (not mass-marketed)
   • Research materials, furnishings, fixtures, and finishes
   • Call showrooms for pricing, check stock, lead-time, request CFAs, etc.
   • Select materials and furnishings within profit margin guidelines
   • Prepare client proposals for approval and purchasing
   • Generate and process all purchase orders and invoices
   • Lead or assist with site measurements, installations, and photoshoots
   • Continuing Education practices
   • If needed
     • Track orders and notify the client of items that are back ordered or discontinued
     • Call vendors and workrooms to follow up on orders/expedite orders
     • Update status report on a weekly basis
     • Coordinate pickups and deliveries with vendors (to warehouse and job sites)
7. Lead installation process, coordinate deliveries, photoshoot, and handle post installation returns
8. Performs other job-related duties as assigned to enhance the firm.
9. The candidate must be physically able to perform various installation project requirements such as lifting, standing for long periods, using a ladder, and other physical duties.

Required Technical Skills and Experience

• 4-year interior design degree from an accredited college or university
• 3+ years of senior interior designer experience with a focus on residential interiors
• Good familiarity with project tracking software (we use Asana), Zoom video conferencing, Dropbox, and Studio Designer
• Proficiency with AUTO-CAD, Microsoft Office, and Photoshop
• Proficiency in SketchUp is not required but favored