Director - Interior Design

American Institute of Architects; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 162,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Plans

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

401k

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

DAHLIN is a leading architecture, planning, and interiors firm with a Pacific Northwest focus seeking a Director–Interior Design. The role is hybrid and focuses on strategic business development, client growth, and design leadership to expand the firm’s market presence.

The ideal candidate has a strong network with developers and owners in the Pacific Northwest, a proven track record in generating new business, and extensive interior design expertise to guide projects from concept through

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture (CID preferred).
• 10+ years of leadership experience in reputable design firms.
• 10+ years of business development experience.
• Experience working in the Pacific Northwest and authorized to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute interior design business development strategy for the Pacific Northwest.
• Lead executive-level meetings with owners, investors, and development teams to grow revenue.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership in interior design and project delivery.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team environment and mentor staff in business development.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Interior design

Pacific Northwest experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture

Job description

DAHLIN? is a diverse, award-winning architecture, planning, and interiors firm practice with offices?locatedthroughout the Western United States.?We offer 50 years of experience building communities where we live and work, driven by the vision of creating places that promote human fulfillment and well-being. This same ? Passion for Place? starts with our own working environment - a positive community where people thrive. Please visit our website ( www.dahlingroup.com ) to learn more.

The Director– Interior Design will serve as DAHLIN's market ambassador for thePacific NorthwestInterior Designsector, helping strengthen the firm's reputation, expand its client portfolio, and drive sustainable revenue growth through strategic relationships and market leadership.

This hybrid doer-seller leadership role combines high-level business development with deepinterior designexpertiseand credibility to advise clients on interior design, procurement, and project delivery. The ideal candidate brings an established network of developers, owners, builders, investors, and industry partners throughout Northern California, along with a proventrack recordof generating new business.

Working closely with firm leadership, practice leaders, and marketing, this individual develops market strategies,identifiesemerging opportunities, leads pursuit efforts, and serves as a trusted advisor throughout the client lifecycle—frominitialrelationship development through project execution. Success in this role is measured by revenue growth, expansion of strategic client relationships, development of a robust pipeline, market influence, and long-term partnerships that reinforce DAHLIN's leadership throughoutthe Pacific Northwest.

How We Lead

We believe organizational health is our greatest competitive advantage. We expect every member of our leadership team to put the interests of the enterprise ahead of their individual goals and to actively contribute to the health and effectiveness of the firm. Technical excellence matters, but we believe healthy leadership teams outperform brilliant but dysfunctional ones. We value humility over ego, clarity over complexity, and teamwork over individualachievements.

What You'll Do

Strategic Business Development

• Develop and execute DAHLIN'sInterior Designbusiness development strategyfor the Pacific Northwest,aligned with firmwide growth initiatives.
• Leverage an established network ("book of business") to generate new client relationships and project opportunities.
• Lead business development efforts focused oninterior design in collaboration with architectural leaders and the firm’s marketingteam.
• Build relationships with developers, owners, municipalities, brokers, consultants, contractors, and industry influencers.
• Represent DAHLIN at industry organizations, conferences, speaking engagements, and community events.
• Develop annual market developmentplansidentifyingtarget clients, market sectors, revenue opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop andmaintainexecutive-level relationships with developers, ownership groups, investors, and strategic partners to expand DAHLIN's market share throughoutthe PacificNorthwest..

Client and Sales Leadership

• Build and lead executive-level meetings with owners, investors, and development teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor by understanding client business goals and aligning DAHLIN's services accordingly.
• Ensure exceptional client experience from pursuit through project completion.
• Lead major pursuit strategies and Go/No-Go decision-making.
• Partner with Marketing and technical teams to position DAHLIN competitively.

Technical,Market, and PeopleLeadership

• Utilizeinterior design andarchitecturalexpertiseto engage clients in meaningful discussionsregardingdesign solutionsand project delivery.
• Providetechnical insight that builds client confidence and differentiates DAHLIN from competitors.
• Partner with practice leaders to position DAHLIN's designexpertiseas a competitive differentiator during client pursuits.
• Monitorinterior designtrendsand competitive market conditions toidentifyemerging opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team environment that supports engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and professional development opportunities that help team members grow and perform at their highest potential.
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote open communication to align individual contributions with firmgoals.
• Mentorinterior designersand project leaders in business development and client engagement.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree inInterior Design orArchitecture.
• Certified Interior Designer (CID) preferred.
• 10+years of progressively increasing management and leadership experience within highly regarded design firms.
• 10+ years of successful business development experience.
• Experience working inthe Pacific Northwest.
• Must be legally?authorized to work for any employer in the United States without any restrictions. Please note that visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading complex pursuit strategies and negotiating professional service agreements.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and executive relationship-building skills

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrates genuine humility whilepossessingstrong professional confidence.
• Comfortable engaging in healthy conflict rather than avoiding difficult conversations.
• Values team success above personal recognition.
• Naturally seeks clarity before consensus.
• Believesculture is measurable, manageable, and every bit as important as financial performance.
• Holds peers accountable with respect and courage.
• Enjoysbuilding trust before buildingprocess.

Why JoinDAHLIN?

We offer a competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer the opportunity toparticipatein a pre-tax Flexible Spending plans for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and 401k.

• medical
• dental
• vision coverage
• pre-tax Flexible Spending plans for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401k

The salary range for this position is?$150,000-$162,500 depending on qualifications.

Placement within this pay range will bedeterminedby factors such as education, qualifications, projectcomplexityand/or experience. The maximum is reserved for candidates who currently meet all job requirements. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

One last note...

We regret that due to the large volume of inquiries, we are unable to accept phone callsregardingthe status of applications. We'll be sure to contact you if we need more information.

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