Design Director

LG Group • Chicago, IL

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design Director for Offshoot Creative will lead, mentor, and manage the interior design team, ensuring high-quality results and collaboration across the firm. This strategic role includes financial and operational oversight, identifying revenue streams, and fostering client relationships. The Design Director will work closely alongside the Creative Director. The Design Director will manage project execution, and actively engage in business development and industry networking. Expertise in multiple design sectors and technical proficiency in design software are essential, along with a commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in interior design, branding, or creative leadership roles, with a proven track record of success.
• Strong portfolio showcasing impactful interior design projects with varying scope and value showcasing expertise in hospitality, retail, or residential design.
• Proficiency in design tools such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, RevIt Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills.
• In-depth understanding of branding principles, storytelling, and audience engagement.
• Passionate about emerging trends and innovations in design and branding.
• In-depth knowledge of FF&E sourcing, specification, and procurement.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about design innovation and industry trends.
• Motivated self-starter who is comfortable performing multifaceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities
• Able to prioritize competing priorities and work with a sense of urgency providing frequent, proactive communication
• A keen eye on detail and organizational skills; process-oriented
• Flexibility and adaptability as situations arise leveraging a solution-oriented attitude to meet business needs
• Passionate individual who prioritizes teamwork and collaboration
• Critical thinking with a resourceful mindset
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of interior detailing, space planning, furniture fabrication methodologies, use of color and light, finishes, and staging.
• Proficient in design software such as AutoCAD and SketchUp.
• Familiarity with LG Group multi-family product standards, vendor partnerships, budgets, and investment partner relationships.
• Experience in producing design drawings in-house and overseeing workflow between design studio partners such as NORR, bKL, Korb, and JSA.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the financial and operational management of Offshoot Creative consisting of: Pipeline management, Oversight of the design department’s financials and billing to meet financial targets, Leveraging financial projections and forecasting, Coordinating timely invoicing and accounts receivable. Identifying additional revenue streams. Profitability through the effective management and oversight of project scope, team deliverables, and client expectations. Accountability and ownership for team time tracking and analysis of job costing data to improve pricing for future projects, team efficiency, profitability and capacity. Complete ongoing market benchmarking and competitive analysis for Offshoot Creative. Facilitate and cultivate new and existing client relationships fostering an ongoing network for the firm. Leverage innovation and identify opportunities to enhance the Offshoot Creative service portfolio expanding capabilities and service offerings through new avenues including, but not limited to, FF&E procurement in a re-sale/tax exempt model.
• In partnership and co-leadership with the Creative Director, inspire and challenge the Offshoot Creative team. Provide creative, professional guidance and support and foster a collaborative work environment. Coach, mentor, and develop the interior designer team for the firm, collaborating across varying levels and departments. Delegate and empower team members to lead individual “projects” within the larger projects fostering trust and individual growth opportunities. Train and supervise interior designers in the department, conduct performance evaluations, and provide feedback to HR and Principals. Provide continuous performance feedback and coaching for all direct reports promoting an environment of accountability and support throughout the Offshoot team.
• Interpret the client’s design brief and provide oversight throughout all phases of design, coordinating and communicating across stakeholders to ensure client expectations are consistently met. Create and oversee project timelines and budgets while also managing the design team's workload, proactively assisting when needed. Manage multiple projects maintaining effective communication and quality control through project schedules and budgets to produce high-quality deliverables on time and within budget. Foster a solution-oriented, problem-solving culture within the design team by spearheading project execution with critical thinking and a “can do” attitude.
• Support promotional efforts of the design company to raise brand awareness effectively communicating the scope of services and expertise of the team. Actively participate and engage in networking initiatives through industry events, thought leadership, or social gatherings. Identify and pursue opportunities to expand the Interior Design client base with new and existing clients leveraging internal resources to track client relationship management and engagement. Be active and connected within the design community in and around Chicago, specifically with product manufacturers and suppliers to enhance the company’s knowledge base and resources available.
• Provide quality assurance for design plans, documentation, and execution of design services. Stay updated on relevant building codes, regulations, and environmental standards.
• Serve as the firm’s subject matter expert on interior design. Contribute to firm-wide efforts in cross-disciplinary leads and proposals. Communicate directly with other departments on strategies for collaboration, project schedules and deliverables, firm-wide standards, and best practices. Function as a decision-maker on interior design scope, value engineering processes, design department and LG company standards, contract agreements, and budgets. Coordinate with the firm's project management teams and Principals to promote an interdisciplinary design approach that aligns with the firm’s strategy and objectives. Draw on experience working in multiple sectors – including multi-family housing, restaurants, country clubs, offices, and luxury single-family residential – while constantly seeking to further that scope and portfolio of experience for Offshoot Creative. Proactively identify areas of improvement and evaluate competition to ensure expertise and deliverables of design company match or exceed industry standards. Proactively pursue continuing education opportunities to remain the knowledge expert on industry trends and best practices, emerging design trends, technologies, and materials.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Unlimited PTO and hybrid work policy.
• Opportunities for professional growth and creative project leadership.
• A collaborative, team-focused culture that values creativity and impact.
• The chance to lead transformative marketing and branding initiatives for high-profile clients and projects.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior