Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager

Design Observer; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with match

Life insurance

Paid time off & holidays

In-office position in Chicago

Travel flexibility for deadlines

Job summary

Olá + Co. is a boutique recruiting and consulting firm partnering with a luxury residential interior design firm that seeks an experienced Interiors Project Director in Chicago.

You will oversee highly customized luxury projects, collaborating with the Principal and senior leadership at every stage from concept to installation. The role requires 6–9+ years in high-end residential interiors, mastery of AutoCAD, Studio Designer, and strong furniture design knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or related field is preferred.
• 6–9+ years of experience with a high-end residential interior design firm.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Strong knowledge of custom furniture design, detailing, and fabrication.
• Experience using Studio Designer.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated initiative, ability to manage competing priorities with minimal direction.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, highly creative environment.
• Proven project management experience with a strong residential portfolio.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and vendor negotiation skills.
• Photoshop preferred; Bluebeam is a plus.
• Valid driver's license and current passport required.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple luxury projects from concept through installation, keeping schedules and budgets on track.
• Collaborate with Principal and senior leadership to drive design concepts across projects.
• Develop and review detailed furniture drawings and specifications with workrooms and fabricators.
• Oversee schedules, budgets, purchasing, approvals, specs, and documentation.
• Coordinate across internal teams, architects, consultants, contractors, vendors and workrooms.
• Ensure interior design decisions are coordinated with architectural details.
• Oversee purchasing, fabrication, deliveries, and installations with accuracy.
• Delegate tasks and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Vendor negotiations

Team collaboration

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Studio Designer

Microsoft Office

Photoshop

Bluebeam

Job description

The Opportunity

Olá + Co. is representing an internationally recognized luxury residential interior design firm seeking an experienced Interiors Project Director to join its collaborative design studio. This is an exceptional opportunity to oversee beautifully detailed, highly customized luxury projects while working closely with the firm's Principal and senior leadership team throughout each stage of the project.

Overview

Location: Chicago, IL

Employment Type: Full-Time

The Opportunity

Olá + Co. is representing an internationally recognized luxury residential interior design firm seeking an experienced Interiors Project Director to join its collaborative design studio. This is an exceptional opportunity to oversee beautifully detailed, highly customized luxury projects while working closely with the firm's Principal and senior leadership team throughout each stage of the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple beautifully detailed, highly customized luxury projects from concept through installation, ensuring schedules, budgets, and deliverables remain on track.
• Partner closely with the firm's Principal and senior leadership to organize, prioritize, and drive the execution of evolving design concepts across multiple active projects.
• Develop and review detailed custom furniture drawings and specifications while coordinating with workrooms and fabricators throughout the design and production process.
• Maintain oversight of project schedules, budgets, purchasing, approvals, specifications, and documentation, keeping every project organized, current, and on track.
• Serve as the central point of coordination across internal teams, architects, consultants, contractors, vendors, and workrooms, facilitating clear communication throughout every phase of the project.
• Collaborate closely with the architecture team to ensure interior design decisions are fully coordinated with architectural details throughout each project.
• Oversee purchasing, fabrication, deliveries, and installations with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately while providing guidance and oversight to junior team members.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or a related field preferred.
• 6–9+ years of experience with a high-end residential interior design firm.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Strong knowledge of custom furniture design, detailing, and fabrication.
• Experience using the current version of Studio Designer.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, anticipate project needs, and manage competing priorities with minimal direction.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly creative environment.
• Proven experience in managing interior design projects with a strong portfolio showcasing residential interior spaces.
• Strong communication skills team collaboration and vendor negotiations.
• Photoshop preferred; Bluebeam is a plus.
• Valid driver's license and current passport required.

YOU'LL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE IF...

• You take initiative, anticipate what's needed, and don't wait to be asked.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, highly creative environment where priorities shift and multiple projects move simultaneously.
• You enjoy bringing structure, organization, and momentum to complex, highly customized projects.
• You're comfortable communicating with senior leadership, architects, consultants, vendors, and project teams.
• You can balance multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• You take ownership of your work and enjoy seeing projects through from concept to installation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $85,000–$110,000.
• 100% employer-paid HMO medical insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance available.
• 401(k) retirement plan - with partial match
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Full-time, in-office position based in Chicago.
• Flexibility to travel and work outside of standard business hours, as needed, to support project deadlines, installations, and client needs.

About Our Client

Our client is an internationally recognized luxury residential interior design firm with more than three decades of experience creating beautifully crafted homes across the United States and abroad. Renowned for its highly customized approach, the firm's work is distinguished by classical details, rich colors, layered patterns and textures, antique and custom furnishings, curated artwork, and distinctive accessories. The result is a collection of homes that feel elegant, comfortable, and distinctly personal, with a touch of whimsy.

The firm's work has been featured in leading publications including Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Décor, Town & Country, and The New York Times. Just as impressive as the firm's portfolio is the longevity of its team. Our client has built a collaborative culture where talented professionals stay, grow, and build long-term careers.

ABOUT Olá + Co.:

Olá + Co. is a boutique recruiting and consulting firm specializing in the design industry. We partner with leading interior designers, architects, and industry vendors to build exceptional teams through thoughtful, relationship-driven recruiting and consulting, taking a highly personalized approach to every search. This is a confidential search being conducted by Olá + Co. on behalf of a high-end residential interior design firm. All inquiries and applications will remain confidential.