Design Coordinator

ExplorUS Corporate; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ExplorUS Corporate in Chicago seeks a Design Coordinator to support the Interior Design Manager across hospitality projects. You will help coordinate design deliverables, schedules, and documentation, ensuring on-brand outcomes and alignment with standards.

This role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects at diverse properties. Proficiency with design software and effective communication with architects, vendors, and site teams is

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of interior design principles, materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, and construction documentation.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Interior Design Director with the development and execution of interior design projects from concept through completion.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Houzz Pro

Canva

Project management software

Travel

Education

Associate's degree or higher in Interior Design / Architecture / Visual Design / Spatial Design / Fine Arts

Tools

Design project documentation tools

Job description

At ExplorUS, we provide exceptional hospitality services in some of the most breathtaking locations across the country, including national and state parks, marinas, forests, and museums. From Hawaii to the East Coast, our dedicated teams create unforgettable experiences for visitors, with the support of our corporate office in Overland Park, Kansas.

Position Summary

The Design Coordinator supports the Interior Design Manager in the planning, coordination, documentation, and execution of interior design projects across the company portfolio. The Design Coordinator will help ensure that design projects remain organized, on schedule, on brand, and aligned with established design standards and operational requirements. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, an understanding of hospitality interiors, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities across various locations.

Key Responsibilities

Design Coordination & Project Support

• Assist the Interior Design Director with the development and execution of interior design projects from concept through completion.
• Coordinate design deliverables, project schedules, deadlines, and action items across multiple properties and project teams.
• Maintain organized project files, drawings, specifications, finish schedules, furniture selections, material samples, and other design documentation.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of design presentations, project updates, finish packages, and approval materials.
• Track design decisions, approvals, revisions, and outstanding items to ensure projects continue to move forward efficiently.
• Review design documents and drawings for coordination, completeness, consistency, and adherence to established standards.
• Support the Interior Design Director in coordinating with architects, contractors, consultants, vendors, purchasing teams, and other project stakeholders.
• Participate in project meetings, take meeting notes, and maintain action-item and decision logs.

Hospitality Design & Brand Standards

• Support the implementation of interior design standards across a geographically diverse portfolio of hospitality properties.
• Help ensure projects reflect brand standards, design intent, guest experience objectives, and operational requirements.
• Research furniture, fixtures, equipment, finishes, artwork, accessories, and other interior elements appropriate for hospitality environments.
• Assist with sourcing and evaluating materials, furnishings, and design products based on aesthetics, durability, cost, availability, and maintenance requirements.
• Maintain awareness of current hospitality design trends, materials, products, and emerging guest-experience concepts.
• Help coordinate design solutions that balance creativity with operational functionality, durability, accessibility, and budget requirements.
• Assist with vendor communication, product sourcing, pricing requests, samples, lead times, and product information.
• Coordinate material and furniture samples and maintain sample libraries as needed.
• Track product selections, substitutions, availability, and lead times to identify potential project impacts.
• Work with procurement and purchasing teams to support accurate ordering and delivery of design-related products.
• Assist with resolving product, finish, furniture, or installation issues that arise during project execution.

Project & Administrative Support

• Maintain project trackers, schedules, budgets, contact lists, and other project-management documentation.
• Assist with monitoring project milestones and communicating potential delays or issues to the Interior Design Director.
• Coordinate site visits, photography, field documentation, and design inspections as needed.
• Assist with installations, punch walks, closeout documentation, and tracking outstanding design-related items.
• Organize and maintain digital and physical design libraries, including product specifications, finish information, and vendor resources.
• Support multiple projects simultaneously while prioritizing deadlines and responding to changing project needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Requirements

• Strong understanding of interior design principles, materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, and construction documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Houzz Pro, Canva or project-management software is preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify inconsistencies or missing information.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams, external consultants, vendors, contractors, and property-level stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel to properties, project sites, vendor showrooms, and other locations as required.

Education & Experience

• Associate's degree or higher in Interior Design, Architecture, Visual Design, Spatial Design, Fine Arts or a related design discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, certificate and hands-on design experience.
• 3-5 years of experiencein interior design, hospitality design, architecture, procurement, project coordination, or a related field.

Preferred Experience

• Experience preparing FF&E specifications, finish schedules and design presentation packages.
• Experience working on hospitality, hotel, restaurant, multifamily, commercial, or other high-volume interior environments preferred.
• Familiarity with hospitality procurement processes, purchasing agents and commercial FF&E vendors.
• Experience in historically based renovation, adaptive reuse or projects subject to public agency design review.
• Knowledge of sustainable design practices.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.