Senior Interior Designer

HARKEN INTERIORS; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision, Dental Insurance

Two weeks paid vacation

Sick time

Paid time off between Christmas and NY

Simple IRA

Professional development support

Job summary

Harken Interiors in Chicago seeks a Senior Designer with hospitality design roots to lead projects from concept through construction. You will mentor junior designers, coordinate with consultants, and guide FF&E selections to achieve standout spaces.

The role requires a seven-year track record in design, strong client presentation skills, and the ability to manage budgets and schedules while maintaining design integrity and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture from an accredited program.
• A minimum of seven years of work experience in a design firm with demonstrated success in drawing and FF&E through all phases of the design process; demonstrated ability to manage staff; demonstrated ability to serve as client contact
• Strong time-management and organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines as the project coordinator for several projects in various stages of development; ability to forecast future workflow of the team, efficiently and quickly activate teams, and apply strategy and flexibility to management approach
• Capacity to work self-sufficiently and think independently within a collaborative effort; ability to partner with senior leadership to track to overall goals and work with junior staff to adhere to such goals
• Exceptional communication and polished client management skills; strong graphic and presentation skills to direct team in layout and contents
• Experience developing and reviewing detailed custom FF&E and material specifications
• Strong understanding of design principles, theory, and the commercial/hospitality construction documentation process; Ability to complete a full architectural drawing set; Aptitude in detailing and contract administration
• Extensive knowledge of building systems, codes, and ADA requirements
• Extensive knowledge in Microsoft Office, CAD, Photoshop, InDesign, SketchUp or an alternate 3D Modeling program, Studio Designer or similar spec writing programs
• Hospitality experienced highly desired
• Spanish speaking is a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual research and design direction; directing and mentoring junior designers through all project phases.
• Managing and reviewing CAD drawings and SketchUp models of consultants and junior designers to ensure integrity of overall design and design details.
• Directing and finessing space planning; guiding and reviewing FF&E and material selections, redlining and finalizing specifications.
• Developing and ensuring adherence to budgets, schedules, and staffing projections.
• Directing content and graphics for client presentations while integrating all client feedback.
• Participating in production efforts as needed.
• Senior Designers are responsible for providing clear direction to junior staff and fostering a cohesive team spirit.
• Senior Designers will lead client presentations and project team calls and correspondence.

Skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Client management

Communication

Staff leadership

FF&E specifications

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture

Tools

CAD

SketchUp

Photoshop

InDesign

3D Modeling software

Studio Designer

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position is full-time with benefits partially covered by the employer (Health, Vision, Dental Insurance), two weeks of paid vacation plus one week of sick time, additional paid time off between Christmas and New Years, opportunity to participate in Simple IRA, and employer support of pre-approved professional development opportunities.

ABOUT US

Harken Interiors is an award-winning, woman-owned interior design firm founded in 2015. Our name means “to listen” and it’s this skill that allows us to uncover and develop the client’s dream with great care from the spark of inspiration to final installation. We strive to find the authentic voice and signature moments that form a truly memorable and meaningful environment. We’ve had the pleasure of bringing over 100 projects to life, many with legacy partners that we’ve collaborated with on numerous ventures. Always hospitality-minded, we work across multiple segments including hotels, restaurants, spas, entertainment, luxury senior living, multifamily residential, and student housing.

JOB DESCRIPTION(S)

Harken Interiors is seeking a innovative, Senior Designer with a foundation in hospitality design and entrepreneurial spirit. Ideal candidates will bring a blend of creative curiosity and technical savvy working through each phase of design at their level. We care about kind collaboration, rigorous process, curious exploration, and determined resourcefulness as we work as a team towards the BEST answer for our clients and end-users.

SENIOR DESIGNER

Responsibilities include but are not limited to leading conceptual research and design direction; directing and mentoring junior designers through all project phases; managing and reviewing CAD drawings and SketchUp models of consultants and junior designers to ensure integrity of overall design and design details; directing and finessing space planning; guiding and reviewing FF&E and material selections, redlining and finalizing specifications; developing and ensuring adherence to budgets, schedules, and staffing projections; directing content and graphics for client presentations while integrating all client feedback; and participating in production efforts as needed. Senior Designers are responsible for providing clear direction to junior staff, keeping senior leadership informed of critical project information and milestones, and fostering a cohesive team spirit. Senior Designers will lead client presentations and project team calls and correspondence.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture from an accredited program
• A minimum of seven years of work experience in a design firm with demonstrated success in drawing and FF&E through all phases of the design process; demonstrated ability to manage staff; demonstrated ability to serve as client contact
• Strong time-management and organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines as the project coordinator for several projects in various stages of development; ability to forecast future workflow of the team, efficiently and quickly activate teams, and apply strategy and flexibility to management approach
• Capacity to work self-sufficiently and think independently within a collaborative effort; ability to partner with senior leadership to track to overall goals and work with junior staff to adhere to such goals
• Exceptional communication and polished client management skills; strong graphic and presentation skills to direct team in layout and contents
• Experience developing and reviewing detailed custom FF&E and material specifications
• Strong understanding of design principles, theory, and the commercial/hospitality construction documentation process; Ability to complete a full architectural drawing set; Aptitude in detailing and contract administration
• Extensive knowledge of building systems, codes, and ADA requirements
• Extensive knowledge in Microsoft Office, CAD, Photoshop, InDesign, SketchUp or an alternate 3D Modeling program, Studio Designer or similar spec writing programs
• Hospitality experienced highly desired
• Spanish speaking is a plus