Interior Design Professional II (PK-12 Education Market)

Wight & Company; Darien, Chicago (IL, IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Flexible spending accounts

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Wight & Company in Darien, IL is seeking an Interior Design Professional II for the PK-12 Education market. This role blends design expertise with technical coordination, space planning, and FF&E specification development to support high-quality environments.

Under supervision, you will lead design development, engage with clients, and collaborate with vendors and engineers to ensure design integrity, timelines, and budgets are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or Architecture.
• 3–5 years of professional interior design experience in PK-12 Education market.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite; 3D modeling and rendering desirable.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and client relationships.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead interior design concept development, space planning, and furniture layouts.
• Coordinate with clients to understand needs and align design with goals.
• Oversee timelines, budgets, and project deliverables.
• Source materials, furnishings, and finishes; manage vendor relationships.
• Conduct site visits to monitor construction and design implementation.
• Collaborate with architects and engineers to integrate solutions.
• Prepare design drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Deliver design presentations to clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Team player

Creativity

Space planning

Presentation

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Architecture/Interior Design/Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Interior Design Professional II (PK-12 Education Market)

Are you looking for an opportunity to do challenging, creative work that makes a real impact? Would you like to be part of a company that respects individual contributions and thrives on collaboration? Then consider joining Wight & Company. We’re a nationally recognized, award-winning architecture, engineering, and construction firm known for a dynamic company culture that fosters innovation and challenges the status quo, and we’re looking for a talented professional to join our team.

Interior Design Professional II is an intermediate-level role for a motivated design professional who is passionate about creating thoughtful, high-quality environments. This position blends design expertise with technical coordination and collaborative problem-solving. As an integral member of the team, the Interior Design Professional II supports project success through space planning, material and finish selection, presentation preparation, product research, construction document production, and FF&E specification development.

Responsibilities:

• Design Development: Under the supervision of a senior designer, lead the development of interior design concepts, including program assessment, space planning, furniture layouts, material selections, and color schemes. Create detailed design documentation and presentations.
• Client Interaction: Participate in client meetings to understand project needs and requirements and assist in developing design solutions that align with the client's vision and project goals.
• Project Management: Oversee various aspects of the design process, including managing project timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Coordinates with the project team to ensure smooth execution of design plans.
• Vendor Coordination: Source and select materials, furnishings, and finishes. Manage relationships with vendors and suppliers, ensuring timely delivery and quality control of products.
• Site Management: Conduct site visits to assess project conditions, monitor design implementation, and address any issues or discrepancies during construction.
• Collaboration: Work with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to integrate interior design solutions with project objectives.
• Documentation: Prepare and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including design drawings, specifications, and reports. Ensure all documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Presentation: Develop and deliver design presentations to clients and stakeholders, effectively communicating design concepts and project progress.
• Versatility: Adapting to various roles within a project, whether in leadership or support, while consistently performing at a high level. Proactively handles tasks beyond the primary scope and adjusts to changing priorities to ensure project success, team collaboration, and firm excellence.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Experience: 3-5 years of professional experience in interior design, with a proven track record of successfully managing and delivering projects including furniture design and procurement processes in the PK-12 Education market.
• Design Skills: Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with 3D modeling and rendering is highly desirable. In-depth understanding of the furniture procurement process and the ability to complete furniture specifications package.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, adhere to deadlines, and handle client relationships effectively.
• Creativity: Excellent design skills with a keen eye for aesthetics, spatial arrangement, and attention to detail. Ability to develop innovative design solutions.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, presenting ideas clearly and collaborating effectively with clients and team members.
• Organizational Skills: Effective organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage project workflows efficiently.
• Team Player: Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Salary Range: $72,000 - $83,000. Individual pay will be based on several factors including experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant.

Wight & Company offers excellent benefits and a wonderful work environment. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible spending, paid holidays, paid time off, and a 401(k). Our flexible work schedule allows for a healthy work-life balance. For more information about our company, visit our website at www.wightco.com .

Wight & Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetics, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Wight & Company values diversity in our workforce. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please call us at 630.969.7000 and ask to speak with a Human Resources representative.