Lead Interior Designer

Lisa & Leroy; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lisa & Leroy is seeking a seasoned Interior Design Leader for luxury residential projects in the Washington, DC area. You will guide design direction, manage the design team, and ensure execution from concept to installation.

The role requires 6+ years post-graduate experience, including 4+ years in luxury residential design and team management, with proficiency in SketchUp, Photoshop, and Google/Apple tools. A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Interior Design/Interior Architecture.
• Minimum of 6 years post-graduate experience with a minimum of 4 years in the luxury residential sector including management of direct reports.
• Proficiency in SketchUp (or equivalent), Photoshop, Apple, and Google products.
• Strong background in Interior Architecture, a high standard of technical ability, and broad knowledge of materiality.
• Passion for FF&E with vast knowledge of suppliers, products, and specialist finishes.
• Experience working on all aspects of high-specification interior design and construction projects, through all stages of work, from concept to completion.
• Strong financial understanding of project costs including budget awareness.
• Impeccable and concise communication and presentation skills, verbal and written, including fluency in spoken and written English.
• Must have an active driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Creative Director to determine the creative and conceptual vision for all design projects.
• Lead and manage the design team in the execution of all high-specification, bespoke interior design projects.
• Design bespoke furnishings, including case pieces, upholstery, and lighting.
• Review and approve all design boards, client presentations, project documentation, and product proposals.
• Maintain knowledge of space planning, market trends, and products.
• Participate in design markets, vendor classes, and training sessions as assigned (travel may be required).
• Provide strong project leadership and seamless service to clients, with exceptional communication throughout.
• Deliver space planning with knowledge of planning processes and building regulations where applicable.
• Approve design boards, client presentations, project documentation, and product proposals.
• Lead regular design team meetings to ensure projects stay on track and client expectations are exceeded.
• Visit ongoing project sites to ensure designs are executed per documentation and brand standards.
• Forecast risks and provide ideas/solutions for each project.
• Utilize strong sales techniques to achieve monthly sales targets as set by the company budget.
• Schedule client milestone meetings in coordination with leadership.
• Maintain installation schedules and coordinate with departments.

Skills

Creative thinking

Leadership

Communication

Space planning

Vendor coordination

Budget awareness

Attention to detail

Client presentation

Education

Interior Design/Interior Architecture degree

Tools

SketchUp

Photoshop

Apple products

Google Workspace

Job description

The ideal candidate will have excellent creative thinking skills and be able to create designs based on conversations with a client. The candidate should be confident communicating regularly with the client in order to assess their needs and be able to adjust a given approach based on feedback. The candidate should maintain familiarity with the interior design landscape and trends in order to provide the best ideas for clients.

Responsibilities

DESIGN DIRECTION

• Collaborate with the Creative Director, to determine the creative and conceptual vision for all design projects.
• Responsible for leading and managing the design team in the execution of all high-specification, bespoke interior design projects.
• Design bespoke furnishings, including case pieces, upholstery, and lighting.
• Review and approve all design boards, client presentations, project documentation, and product proposals before they reach a client
• Maintain knowledge of space planning, market trends, and products.
• Participate in design markets, vendor classes, and training sessions as assigned (travel may be required).

DESIGN EXECUTION

• Provide strong project leadership and seamless service to our clients, with exceptional communication throughout.
• Deliver confident, experienced, and skilled space planning, and apply knowledge of the planning process and building regulations where applicable.
• Provide approval of all design boards, client presentations, project documentation, and product proposals.
• Lead regular internal and external design team meetings to ensure projects are continually on track and client expectations are exceeded.
• Visit ongoing project sites as needed to ensure designs are executed according to project documentation and L&L brand standards.
• Respond effectively to complex questions and troubleshoot problems, whilst working and switching between various projects.
• Apply strategic thinking to forecast, identify, and communicate risks. Bring ideas and solutions to each project.
• Utilize strong sales techniques to achieve monthly sales targets as set by the company budget.
• In coordination with the Chief of Staff, schedule all client milestone meetings as projects progress.
• Maintain the installation schedule and coordinate timing with all necessary departments.

MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate with the Creative Director to set internal design standards and guidelines and ensure implementation.
• Manage and develop the design team, report back to Leadership in a constructive manner, and highlight successes and failures.
• Streamline processes and procedures to increase quality and efficiency, as needed.
• Adhere to project timelines and hit internal and external milestones. Provide regular and timely updates and progress reports.
• Promote L&L Guiding Principles and consistently work towards improving the team and client experience.
• Manage Design team workload and project hours.
• Forecast design income and work with the appropriate department to establish a timeline for new jobs

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Interior Design/Interior Architecture.
• Minimum of 6 years post-graduate experience with a minimum of 4 years in the luxury residential sector including management of direct reports.
• Proficiency in SketchUp (or equivalent), Photoshop, Apple, and Google products.
• Strong background in Interior Architecture, a high standard of technical ability, and broad knowledge of materiality.
• Passion for FF&E with vast knowledge of suppliers, products, and specialist finishes.
• Experience working on all aspects of high-specification interior design and construction projects, through all stages of work, from concept to completion.
• Strong financial understanding of project costs including budget awareness.
• Exceptional eye for scale and balance, detail and color.
• Impeccable and concise communication and presentation skills, verbal and written, including fluency in spoken and written English.
• Must have an active driver’s license and a clean driving record.