Senior Designer

Donna Mondi Interior Design; Illinois; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) with company match

Health insurance

Paid time off

Cell phone stipend

Profit-sharing bonus

Continued professional growth

Job summary

Donna Mondi Interior Design in Chicago seeks a Senior Designer to lead luxury residential projects from concept through installation. You will collaborate with the Associate Principal and Studio Director, guiding clients, consultants, and suppliers to realize a cohesive vision across architecture, interiors, and FF&E.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in a high-end firm, a strong design sensibility, exceptional presentation skills, and the ability to mentor junior designers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related field.
• 8-10 years of professional experience within a high-end residential interior design firm or comparable design practice.
• Comprehensive knowledge of construction and FF&E, with experience leading new-build and renovation projects from concept through documentation, sourcing, installation, and completion.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and delegating to junior designers and other members of a design team.
• Strong design sensibility and visual point of view, with genuine curiosity for interiors, architecture, furniture, art, materials, and the broader world of design.
• Proven ability to produce exceptional visual work and compelling client presentations, with strong space-planning, drafting, detailing, and technical problem-solving capabilities.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, and other relevant design software; experience with Microsoft Outlook, Studio Designer, Keynote, Numbers, and Pages is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a polished, professional client presence.
• Highly organized, resourceful, and solutions-oriented, with strong interpersonal judgment and the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and navigate evolving project demands.
• Self-motivated and accountable, with the ability to take ownership and execute a design vision independently while remaining highly collaborative and receptive to feedback.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required for project meetings, site visits, sourcing, and installations.
• Ability to work in person at our Chicago office

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage high-end residential projects from concept through installation, including new construction, renovations, and architectural build-outs.
• Develop sophisticated design concepts encompassing space planning, architectural details, materials, finishes, furnishings, lighting, art, and accessories.
• Produce and direct conceptual sketches, floor plans, elevations, material palettes, sourcing, and client presentation materials.
• Lead client presentations in collaboration with senior leadership, building trusted client relationships through communication, discretion, and service.
• Manage projects proactively, balancing creative vision, budget, schedule, technical requirements, and client expectations.
• Source, specify, price, and quote FF&E, materials, fixtures, and accessories; collaborate with procurement partners to maintain design intent.
• Collaborate closely with architects, contractors, consultants, fabricators, vendors, and trades to resolve design issues and ensure design intent.
• Lead and mentor junior designers and design assistants through clear direction and constructive feedback.
• Maintain high standards of quality across drawings, specifications, presentations, site execution, and installations.
• Cultivate industry relationships and seek new products, materials, artists, makers, and resources to evolve DMID's work.
• Lead and support site visits, installations, styling, and accessory procurement as needed through project completion

Skills

Strong design sensibility

Excellent client presentations

Mentoring junior designers

Strong organization and time mgmt

Independent yet collaborative

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture/Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Outlook

Studio Designer

Keynote

Numbers

Pages

Job description

Donna Mondi Interior Design (DMID) is a renowned high-end interior design firm with studios in Chicago and Denver, serving clients nationwide. Founded in 2001, DMID has been recognized four times as one of the “Top 100 Designers in the World” by the Andrew Martin Interior Design Review and named a top Chicago interior designer by Architectural Digest. Our portfolio spans urban penthouses, expansive estates, historic renovations, and highly customized residences.

At DMID, we believe a home should be deeply personal—reflecting the lifestyle and individuality of those who inhabit it. Our approach balances architecture, art, furnishings, and materiality to create interiors with a distinct point of view. Travel and global inspiration are integral to our creative process, allowing us to discover exceptional resources and create spaces that feel collected, unexpected, and entirely individual.

We value creativity, curiosity, initiative, collaboration, and the unique perspective each team member brings to the studio.

About this Role

DMID is seeking an experienced and highly creative Senior Designer to join our team. This role is ideal for a confident design professional with a sophisticated point of view, strong technical knowledge, and significant experience managing high-end residential projects from concept through installation.

The Senior Designer reports to and works closely with the Associate Principal and Studio Director, collaborating with clients, consultants, vendors, and junior members of the design team to develop and execute a cohesive design vision across architecture, interiors, and FF&E.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, highly creative environment and takes ownership of their projects—anticipating needs, driving decisions and deliverables forward, and problem-solving throughout the life of a project. Strong judgment, accountability, communication, discretion, and follow-through are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and take ownership of high-end residential projects from concept through installation, including new construction, renovations, and architectural build-outs
• Develop sophisticated design concepts encompassing space planning, architectural details, materials, finishes, furnishings, lighting, art, and accessories
• Produce and direct conceptual sketches, floor plans, elevations, material palettes, sourcing, and compelling client presentation materials
• Lead client presentations in collaboration with senior leadership, and independently when appropriate, while developing trusted client relationships through thoughtful communication, discretion, responsiveness, and a high level of service
• Manage projects proactively, anticipating needs and driving decisions and deliverables forward while balancing creative vision, budget, schedule, technical requirements, and client expectations
• Source, select, specify, price, and quote FF&E, materials, fixtures, and accessories; develop project budgets with senior leadership and collaborate with our third-party procurement partner to maintain design intent through purchasing and fulfillment
• Collaborate closely with architects, contractors, consultants, fabricators, vendors, and trades to resolve design issues and ensure design intent is carried through execution
• Lead and mentor junior designers and design assistants through clear direction, thoughtful delegation, and constructive design feedback
• Maintain a high standard of quality and accuracy across drawings, specifications, presentations, selections, site execution, and installations
• Cultivate strong industry relationships and continually seek out new products, materials, artists, makers, artisans, and resources that contribute to the evolution of DMID's work
• Lead and support site visits, installations, styling, and accessory procurement as needed through project completion

Qualifications + Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related field
• 8-10 years of professional experience within a high-end residential interior design firm or comparable design practice
• Comprehensive knowledge of construction and FF&E, with experience leading new-build and renovation projects from concept through documentation, sourcing, installation, and completion
• Experience leading, mentoring, and delegating to junior designers and other members of a design team
• Strong design sensibility and visual point of view, with genuine curiosity for interiors, architecture, furniture, art, materials, and the broader world of design
• Proven ability to produce exceptional visual work and compelling client presentations, with strong space-planning, drafting, detailing, and technical problem-solving capabilities
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, and other relevant design software; experience with Microsoft Outlook, Studio Designer, Keynote, Numbers, and Pages is preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a polished, professional client presence
• Highly organized, resourceful, and solutions-oriented, with strong interpersonal judgment and the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and navigate evolving project demands
• Self-motivated and accountable, with the ability to take ownership and execute a design vision independently while remaining highly collaborative and receptive to feedback
• Ability and willingness to travel as required for project meetings, site visits, sourcing, and installations
• Ability to work in person at our Chicago office

At DMID, we believe the best work comes from a studio culture that pairs high creative standards with collaboration, curiosity, and mutual respect. We value team members who bring ideas to the table, take ownership of their work, and are equally invested in the project's and the team's success.

As a Senior Designer, you can expect:

• Meaningful creative involvement in highly customized luxury residential projects from concept through installation
• Close collaboration with senior leadership and a talented design team, with the opportunity to contribute your own perspective and expertise
• The opportunity to lead and mentor emerging designers while helping elevate the quality and consistency of the studio's work
• Exposure to exceptional artisans, makers, galleries, showrooms, vendors, and design resources from around the world
• A supportive and engaging studio environment that values excellence, initiative, collaboration, creativity, and camaraderie

We work hard, hold ourselves to a high standard, and believe that an ambitious creative environment can also be supportive, rewarding, and fun.

DMID offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support our team and recognize individual contributions. Benefits for eligible employees include:

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience
• 401(k) with company match
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Cell phone stipend
• Eligibility for annual profit-sharing bonus
• Opportunities for continued professional growth and advancement within the firm

Donna Mondi Interior Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.