Director of Interior Design

DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k)

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors is seeking a Director of Interior Design to lead strategic business development for the Pacific Northwest. This hybrid leadership role combines high-level market development with deep interior design expertise to advise clients on design solutions and project delivery.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of leadership and business development experience, a relevant degree, and a network across developers, owners, and investors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture.
• CID certification preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in design firms.
• 10+ years of business development experience.
• Experience in the Pacific Northwest.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; no visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute DAHLIN's Interior Design business development strategy for the Pacific Northwest.
• Lead pursuit efforts and build executive-level client relationships.
• Mentor interior designers and project leaders in business development and client engagement.
• Partner with practice leaders to position design expertise competitively.
• Manage relationships with developers, owners, and investors.

Skills

Executive leadership

Business development

Client relationship-building

Strategic planning

Market leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture

CID certification preferred

Job description

DAHLIN is a diverse, award-winning architecture, planning, and interiors firm practice with offices located throughout 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 the Pacific Northwest Interior Design sector, 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 deep interior design expertise and 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 the Pacific Northwest, along with a proven track record of generating new business.

Working closely with firm leadership, practice leaders, and marketing, this individual develops market strategies, identifies emerging opportunities, leads pursuit efforts, and serves as a trusted advisor throughout the client lifecycle—from initial relationship 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 throughout the 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 individual achievements.

What You'll Do

Strategic Business Development

• Develop and execute DAHLIN's Interior Design business development strategy for 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 on interior design in collaboration with architectural leaders and the firm’s marketing team .
• 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 development plans identifying target clients, market sectors, revenue opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain executive‑level relationships with developers, ownership groups, investors, and strategic partners to expand DAHLIN's market share throughout the Pacific Northwest..

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 People Leadership

• Utilize interior design and architectural expertise to engage clients in meaningful discussions regarding design solutions and project delivery.
• Provide technical insight that builds client confidence and differentiates DAHLIN from competitors.
• Partner with practice leaders to position DAHLIN's design expertise as a competitive differentiator during client pursuits.
• Monitor interior design trends and competitive market conditions to identify emerging 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 firm goals.
• Mentor interior designers and project leaders in business development and client engagement.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture.
• 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 in the 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
• Demonstrates genuine humility while possessing strong professional confidence.
• Comfortable engaging in healthy conflict rather than avoiding difficult conversations.
• Values team success above personal recognition.
• Naturally seeks clarity before consensus.
• Believes culture is measurable, manageable, and every bit as important as financial performance.
• Holds peers accountable with respect and courage.
• Enjoys building trust before building process.

Why Join DAHLIN?

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

Salary range:$150,000-$162,500 depending upon qualifications. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

DAHLIN is a diverse, award‑winning architecture, planning, and interiors firm practice with offices located throughout the Western United States. We offer more than 45 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.