Senior designer / project manager

3R Interiors; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

3R Interiors in Austin seeks a Senior Interior Designer to lead residential and commercial projects from concept through procurement, construction, and installation. You will independently manage projects, mentor junior staff, and maintain high standards of design, documentation, and client service.

The ideal candidate excels in creative design, technical execution, project management, communication, and organization.

Qualifications

• Lead projects from concept through installation with oversight.
• Communicate clearly with clients and project partners.
• Mentor junior designers and staff.
• Develop cohesive design concepts and presentations.
• Maintain timelines, budgets, and project documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead designer and primary day-to-day contact on assigned projects.
• Onboard clients, manage expectations, and coordinate decisions.
• Develop and present design concepts, space plans, and selections.
• Collaborate with architects, builders, and vendors during planning and construction.
• Lead vendor relationships and manage selections across finishes and FF&E.
• Coordinate site visits, field measurements, and construction documentation.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the design team.
• Ensure design quality, accuracy, and alignment with client goals.
• Maintain organized project files and records.

Skills

Project leadership

Client communication

Mentoring

Design development

Time management

Job description

The Senior Interior Designer is responsible for leading residential and commercial interior design projects from initial concept through procurement, construction, installation, and project completion.

This position requires a highly organized, experienced designer who can independently manage projects, communicate professionally with clients and project partners, mentor junior team members, and maintain the high level of design, documentation, and client service expected by the firm.

The ideal candidate is equally strong increative design, technical execution, project management, communication, and organization.

1. PROJECT LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the lead designer and primary day-to-day contact on assigned projects.
• Take ownership of projects from onboarding through final installation and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project timelines, priorities, and internal deadlines.
• Identify upcoming decisions, selections, approvals, and deliverables before they become urgent.
• Lead internal project meetings and communicate priorities to the design team.
• Delegate tasks to junior designers, design assistants, interns, and administrative staff as appropriate.
• Review delegated work for accuracy and completeness before it is presented externally.
• Track outstanding client decisions, vendor information, samples, pricing, drawings, and approvals.
• Maintain organized project files and documentation.
• Anticipate potential problems and proactively develop solutions.
• Keep Principal/Owner informed of significant design decisions, budget concerns, client issues, schedule changes, or project risks.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and deadlines.

2. CLIENT MANAGEMENT

• Build strong, professional relationships with clients.
• Participate in and lead client onboarding meetings.
• Understand each client's lifestyle, aesthetic, functional needs, budget, and overall project goals.
• Lead client design presentations and selection meetings.
• Clearly explain design concepts, recommendations, pricing, lead times, and alternatives.
• Guide clients through decisions while maintaining the overall design vision.
• Manage client expectations regarding scope, budget, timeline, revisions, and procurement.
• Document client approvals and requested changes.
• Follow up promptly on outstanding decisions.
• Recognize potential scope creep and communicate it internally before additional work is performed.

3. DESIGN CONCEPT & CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

• Develop sophisticated, cohesive design concepts appropriate for each project.
• Establish overall design direction, palette, materials, finishes, furniture, lighting, and styling.
• Conduct design research and source unique materials, furniture, lighting, art, accessories, and architectural elements.
• Create mood boards, inspiration boards, and conceptual presentations.
• Develop space plans and furniture layouts.
• Evaluate scale, proportion, balance, materiality, color, and architectural relationships.
• Create spaces that are both aesthetically elevated and highly functional.
• Present thoughtful alternatives when budget, availability, or construction limitations require changes.
• Ensure the design remains cohesive as individual selections evolve.

4. ARCHITECTURAL & CONSTRUCTION DESIGN

• Review architectural plans and identify design concerns or opportunities.
• Collaborate with architects and builders during planning and construction.
• Review and provide input on:
• Furniture plans
• Electrical plans
• Plumbing locations
• Millwork
• Cabinetry
• Built-ins
• Ceiling treatments
• Door and hardware selections
• Interior elevations
• Flooring transitions
• Verify that design selections coordinate properly with architectural and construction conditions.
• Review dimensions and field conditions before finalizing selections whenever necessary.
• Participate in site meetings and construction walkthroughs.
• Identify design-related construction issues and communicate solutions quickly.
• Coordinate design intent with the architect, builder, subcontractors, fabricators, and vendors.
• Review shop drawings and samples for design intent when applicable.
• Maintain detailed records of construction-related decisions and changes.

5. CONSTRUCTION SELECTIONS

Lead and manage selections including, but not limited to:

• Flooring
• Tile
• Stone and countertops
• Cabinet hardware
• Plumbing fixtures
• Appliances
• Interior paint
• Exterior paint when included in scope
• Wallcoverings
• Architectural lighting
• Doors
• Door hardware
• Fireplace materials
• Glass and shower details
• Mirrors
• Specialty finishes

Ensure all selections are coordinated across the project and appropriately documented.

6. FURNITURE, FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT

• Develop furniture plans based on architectural conditions and client needs.
• Source furniture appropriate to the project's aesthetic, budget, scale, and timeline.
• Select:
• Upholstery
• Dining furniture
• Beds
• Rugs
• Window treatments
• Art
• Mirrors
• Accessories
• Decorative objects
• Develop custom furniture when appropriate.
• Coordinate custom upholstery, fabrics, finishes, dimensions, and details.
• Review furniture dimensions against plans and actual site conditions.
• Coordinate COM/COL fabrics and custom materials.
• Identify appropriate alternates when products are unavailable, discontinued, delayed, or outside budget.

7. DESIGN PRESENTATIONS & DOCUMENTATION

• Create and oversee professional client-facing design presentations.
• Ensure presentations clearly communicate the overall vision as well as individual selections.
• Prepare detailed specifications for approved selections.
• Maintain accurate construction and furnishings documentation.
• Review documentation prepared by other team members before release.
• Ensure specifications include necessary information such as:
• Manufacturer
• Finish
• Dimensions
• Quantity
• Location
• Lead time
• Maintain organized project selection schedules and specification sheets.
• Update documents as selections change.
• Ensure the builder and project team are working from current information.

8. BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Understand the client's approved design and furnishings budgets. (very important)
• Develop selections appropriate to the established investment level.
• Maintain project budgets throughout the design process.
• Review vendor quotes and pricing for accuracy.
• Identify selections that could materially affect the overall budget.
• Present value-engineering options when appropriate without compromising the overall design.
• Communicate budget concerns internally before they become client issues.
• Work with the Principal/Owner to obtain approval for major budget changes.
• Avoid presenting items significantly outside the established budget without prior discussion.

9. VENDOR & TRADE RELATIONSHIPS

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with showrooms, manufacturers, sales representatives, workrooms, artists, galleries, fabricators, and trades.
• Request pricing, samples, specifications, and lead-time information.
• Coordinate custom furniture, upholstery, drapery, millwork, and specialty fabrication.
• Attend showroom appointments and vendor presentations.
• Stay informed about new products, collections, materials, and industry resources.
• Represent the firm professionally with all outside partners.

10. SITE VISITS & FIELD COORDINATION

• Conduct site visits throughout construction.
• Verify dimensions and field conditions as needed.
• Review installation of design elements for consistency with approved plans and selections.
• Photograph and document site conditions.
• Communicate outstanding items to the appropriate team members.
• Participate in punch walks and project completion reviews.
• Assist with resolving design-related field issues.
• Escalate significant construction concerns to the Principal/Owner when necessary.

11. TEAM LEADERSHIP & MENTORING

• Provide direction and mentorship to junior designers and design assistants.
• Delegate work based on team member skill level and project needs.
• Review junior designer work before it is presented to clients, builders, architects, or vendors.
• Teach proper sourcing, documentation, specifications, presentation standards, and project organization.
• Help junior team members strengthen their design judgment and technical knowledge.
• Provide constructive feedback.
• Help maintain accountability for deadlines and deliverables.
• Support a collaborative team environment.
• Communicate workload concerns before deadlines are compromised.

12. QUALITY CONTROL

Before any presentation, specification, construction document, or order is released, review for accuracy. Be sure to track all items for accuracy. (in the design software)

The Senior Designer is expected to catch problems before information reaches the client, contractor, vendor, or purchasing team.

13. BUSINESS & FIRM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Protect and represent the firm's design standards and reputation.
• Follow established internal processes and procedures.
• Accurately track and submit time.
• Be mindful of billable versus non-billable work.
• Understand project scope and avoid performing significant out-of-scope work without approval.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding clients, projects, pricing, and internal business information.
• Participate in team meetings and project reviews.
• Assist with improving internal systems and processes.
• Contribute ideas for vendor resources, design standards, documentation, and workflow improvements.
• Assist with portfolio development and project photography when requested.
• Represent the firm professionally at industry events, showrooms, client meetings, and job sites.