Senior Designer - Luxury Residential Design Lead

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 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.