Design Lead

DMC Recruitment; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Lead role in Winnipeg leads the design team for commercial furniture and interiors. You’ll mentor designers, oversee workflow, collaborate with sales and project management, and guide complex projects from concept through handoff.

Hands-on design remains core while you step into leadership responsibilities with training offered. Based in Winnipeg office, this in-office position offers competitive compensation ($80,000-$90,000+ based on experience) and growth opportunities with a respected

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in commercial interior design, workplace design or contract furniture.
• Experience with furniture specification and space planning.
• Familiarity with CET or similar commercial furniture specification software.
• Strong understanding of drawings, specifications and project documentation.
• Ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to other designers.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Understanding of the commercial project lifecycle from concept through specification, ordering and installation.
• Previous leadership experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, mentorship and technical support to the design team.
• Oversee design workflow and help allocate projects based on capacity, complexity and timelines.
• Lead and support larger and more complex commercial furniture and workplace projects.
• Review drawings, specifications and project documentation for accuracy and consistency.
• Work closely with sales and project management teams from initial concept through specification and handoff.
• Support space planning, furniture specification, takeoffs and other design deliverables.
• Mentor junior and intermediate designers and support their professional development.
• Help strengthen design standards, processes and best practices across the team.
• Ensure solutions balance design, functionality, client requirements and project budgets.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, manufacturers and internal project teams.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Collaboration

Team management

Tools

CET

Job description

Design Lead - Commercial Furniture & Interiors

Winnipeg, MB | In Office

$80,000-$90,000+ | Based on Experience

What Makes This a Great Opportunity?

Our client is an established commercial interiors and workplace solutions company in Winnipeg looking for a Design Lead to join its team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial designer who wants to take on greater leadership responsibility while remaining hands‑on with commercial furniture and workplace projects. Working closely with sales, project management and leadership, you will guide the design team, support complex projects and maintain a high standard of design and specification across the business. You do not need to already be a Design Manager. The company is equally interested in a strong Senior Designer or Design Lead ready to take the next step into formal leadership, with leadership development and training available for the right person.

About the Role

As Design Lead, you will provide day‑to‑day leadership and technical oversight to the design team while remaining involved in key projects. The role combines design expertise, team leadership and project oversight, with responsibility for supporting workflow, reviewing specifications and deliverables, mentoring designers, and collaborating with internal teams from concept through project handoff.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, mentorship and technical support to the design team.
• Oversee design workflow and help allocate projects based on capacity, complexity and timelines.
• Lead and support larger and more complex commercial furniture and workplace projects.
• Review drawings, specifications and project documentation for accuracy and consistency.
• Work closely with sales and project management teams from initial concept through specification and handoff.
• Support space planning, furniture specification, takeoffs and other design deliverables.
• Mentor junior and intermediate designers and support their professional development.
• Help strengthen design standards, processes and best practices across the team.
• Ensure solutions balance design, functionality, client requirements and project budgets.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, manufacturers and internal project teams.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in commercial interior design, workplace design or contract furniture.
• Strong experience with commercial workplace and furniture projects.
• Experience with furniture specification and space planning.
• Familiarity with CET or similar commercial furniture specification software.
• Strong understanding of drawings, specifications and project documentation.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Understanding of the commercial project lifecycle from concept through specification, ordering and installation.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to other designers.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• A practical approach to design that considers aesthetics, functionality and budget.
• Previous leadership experience is an asset, but not required.

Candidates coming from a commercial interior design firm are also encouraged to apply, particularly those with strong exposure to workplace design and furniture specification.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join an established commercial interiors and workplace solutions company.
• Take the next step from senior design into formal leadership.
• Remain hands‑on with interesting and complex commercial projects.
• Work closely with sales, project management and company leadership.
• Leadership development and training available.
• Long‑term career growth.
• Competitive compensation based on experience.

This position is based in the Winnipeg office and is not a remote opportunity.