Design Director | FFE + Procurement

Level Five Designs; North Carolina; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work from home/flexible hours

Unlimited PTO

Medical, dental, vision, disability &

12 weeks paid parental leave

Office and telephone stipend

collaborative team environment with a

Job summary

Level Five Designs, an interior design firm based in Raleigh, NC, seeks a Design Director to lead FF+E and procurement across projects from concept to installation. The role shapes tactile, experiential, and functional layers while aligning with design vision, operational needs, and budget.

You will set standards, mentor teams, manage vendor relationships, and advance design quality with a focus on constructability, durability, and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional interior design experience with deep expertise in FF+E and Procurement.
• Minimum of 3+ years of multifamily or comparable complex project experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture (or equivalent).
• Expert-level knowledge of design software, FF+E sourcing, specification, budgeting, and installation.
• Strong client-facing communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the FF+E and Procurement team with accountability and guidance.
• Develop and refine firm-wide FF+E and procurement standards and maintain them.
• Oversee FF+E packages to ensure design intent and constructability.
• Monitor procurement budgets and margins in collaboration with leadership.
• Lead continuous improvement of design methodologies and documentation practices.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture

Tools

Design software

FF+E sourcing

Budgeting tools

Job description

Level Five Designs is a multi-family interior design firm based in Raleigh, NC. Our goal is to bring property branding to life through our design, finishes and furniture selections for developers, multifamily property managers and asset management firms.

OUR CORE VALUES

• We curate impactful and innovative designs. Always thinking outside the box.
• We don't have one style. The client's aesthetic is our aesthetic.
• We connect people and places. Making every community feel like home.
• We guide the project from inspiration to installation. Our design bags hold samples and hard hats.
• We deliver the highest level of finish. Standing beside you and for you.

BENEFITS

• Work from home/flexible hours
• Unlimited PTO
• Medical, dental, vision, short term and long term disability and life insurance
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Office and telephone stipend
• Collaborative and supportive team environment with an emphasis on work-life balance

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Design Director leads the company's furniture, accessories, and procurement operations with vision, precision, and intention, shaping the tactile, experiential, and functional layers of every project from concept through installation. This role sets the standard for FF+E excellence across the company, ensuring selections are aligned with the project's established design vision, operationally sound, budget-conscious, and executed with exceptional attention to detail.

GENERAL | LEADERS + VALUES IN ACTION

The Design Director is expected to:

• Lead with empathy, integrity, and trust, creating an environment where teams feel supported, challenged, empowered and accountable.
• Model and promote Level Five Designs' values, culture, design philosophy, and commitment to exceptional client service.
• Take initiative naturally, proactively identifying risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities to strengthen FF+E strategy, sourcing, and storytelling.
• Maintain a composed, positive, confident and inspiring presence, even during high-pressure project phases and complex client situations.
• Represent the company with a professional and polished executive presence during client meetings, site visits, industry events and other professional engagements
• Build strong, respectful relationships with clients, consultants, vendors, industry partners, and internal teams through transparency, communication and care.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, creativity, technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Challenge teams to think holistically, design intentionally, solve problems creatively, and continuously elevate design quality and material standards.
• Demonstrate an ownership mindset, balancing the creative aspirations of the company with its operational and financial objectives.

FF+E AND PROCUREMENT LEADERSHIP + CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and refine firm-wide FF+E and Procurement standards, and support their ongoing implementation and maintenance.
• Lead selections of FF+E and detailing to ensure cohesive design
• Ensure all FF+E selections align with the project's established design vision while supporting brand storytelling, user experience, durability, budget, and long-term performance.
• Balance creativity with FF+E constructability, cost awareness, and long-term performance.
• Partner with the leadership team to align project execution with overall design strategy and operational goals.

L5D DESIGN STANDARDS + DESIGN INNOVATION

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of Level Five Designs' company-wide design standards and creative frameworks.
• Establish clear design quality benchmarks that reinforce the firm's design philosophy, support consistent project delivery, and allow for thoughtful project-specific creativity.
• Direct the creation and maintenance of structured design standards and specification libraries covering materials, finishes, lighting, furniture, fixtures, and other commercial interior design elements.
• Ensure design standards consider aesthetic quality, commercial durability, functionality, constructability, maintenance, budget alignment, and procurement efficiency.
• Establish and maintain FF+E and Procurement documentation standards, quality control processes, SOPs, and reference resources.
• Continuously evaluate emerging design trends, materials, technologies, products, and industry innovations to evolve the firm's creative direction.
• Champion continuous improvement in design methodologies, creative tools, technical coordination, and documentation practices.

TEAM LEADERSHIP + MENTORSHIP

• Lead, mentor, and manage the FF+E and Procurement team, fostering accountability, trust, and professional growth.
• Guide teams through product research, sourcing, specification, budgeting, and documentation processes.
• Support career development through coaching, feedback, and hands-on guidance.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to build scalable workflows that support high-quality delivery across multiple active projects.

PROJECT OVERSIGHT + TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

• Oversee FF+E packages to ensure clarity, coordination, and alignment with approved concepts
• Review and approve FF+E packages for design intent coordination, budget alignment, and FF+E constructability.
• Ensure thorough knowledge of current code clearance requirements impacting FF+E selections and layouts, proactively integrating compliant solutions into specifications, furniture space planning, and installation.
• Lead oversight of custom FF+E constructability and ergonomic performance, ensuring designs are feasible, code-conscious, and user-centered, while directing the development and review of detailed FF+E shop drawings, specifications, and technical documentation required for accurate fabrication and execution.
• Lead company-wide procurement strategy in partnership with the Assistant Director of Procurement, providing strategic direction for vendor partnerships, sourcing, purchasing, and procurement processes while empowering procurement specialists to lead day-to-day execution.
• Partner with the VP of Finance + HR and Procurement to monitor procurement budgets, margins, and financial performance, ensuring responsible stewardship across all projects.
• Anticipate risks related to lead times, availability, substitutions, and logistics, proactively guiding solutions.
• Provide leadership during key FF+E installations and project closeout, partnering with project teams to resolve field conditions, uphold quality standards, and ensure successful project execution.

CLIENT AND VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS + INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate with leadership teams to ensure pursuits and public-facing materials are cohesive, compelling, and brand-aligned.
• Guide clients through product options, performance criteria, budget implications and long term value with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, manufacturers, vendors, dealers, and fabricators.
• Partner with Procurement to align sourcing strategies, pricing, lead times, and contract requirements.
• Support installation planning and execution, ensuring FF+E is delivered and installed per design intent.
• Resolve field issues related to FF+E with clarity, decisiveness, and professionalism.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and professional forums as a design thought leader

OPERATIONAL + ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP

• Manage team schedules, resources, and priorities to ensure the department's work remains aligned with the established project schedule and is delivered on time and at a high level of quality.
• Monitor team performance, utilization, and quality metrics across the FF+E and Procurement team.
• Ensure compliance with firm systems, documentation standards, and policies.
• Contribute to annual planning related to staffing, workflow optimization, and FF+E strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of professional interior design experience with deep expertise in FF+E and Procurement.
• Minimum of 3+ years of multifamily or comparable complex project experience
• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture preferred, or equivalent experience
• Expert-level knowledge of design software, FF+E sourcing, specification, budgeting, and installation
• Strong material sensibility and ability to translate design concepts into cohesive FF+E solutions.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams
• Strong client-facing communication and problem-solving skills grounded in clarity, empathy, and confidence
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Collaborative, adaptive and growth mindset
• Ability to work autonomously, make informed decisions, and manage competing priorities
• Flexible, resourceful, and committed to continuous improvement

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, walk, or remain on feet for extended periods
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50–60 lbs as needed
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and perform light physical tasks
• Comfortable working in active construction and installation environments, which may include dust, noise, varying temperatures, portable restroom facilities, and uneven surfaces

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Annual required travel of approximately 50-75 days for project installations, both in-state and out-of-state, currently throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southwest, plus approximately 7–15 days for company events and conferences, as needed
• Must live within one hour's drive of a major airport
• Must be comfortable traveling by air for projects located more than a 4 hour drive away
• Must have a valid driver's license and maintain appropriate auto insurance coverage in accordance with company guidelines
• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle for travel to project sites and company-related events
• Ability to transport samples and project materials by vehicle as needed