Designer & Project Manager
About The Position
Hawthorne House is seeking a Designer & Project Manager to join its Athens, Georgia team. This hybrid role combines interior design and client selections with hands-on project coordination, guiding projects from the first consultation through procurement, delivery, and final installation. The position also provides workroom coverage as needed. The successful candidate is detail-oriented, organized, adaptable, and comfortable working in a boutique, collaborative environment. The role includes conducting in-person and virtual consultations; developing furniture plans and floor layouts; selecting and presenting furnishings, lighting, accessories, materials, finishes, fabrics, and window treatments; and supporting trade clients. Project coordination includes maintaining budgets and schedules, following orders with vendors and manufacturers, coordinating deliveries and installations, communicating with clients and project partners, maintaining documentation, and resolving issues proactively. The Designer & Project Manager also helps maintain showroom presentation and samples and supports workroom projects, quality checks, and safe, organized work practices. Hawthorne House is a full-service furnishings and lighting showroom founded in 2003 by interior designer Lisa Ellis. Based in Athens, Georgia, it serves design professionals, homeowners, and vacation and investment property owners, offering guidance from concept to completion through its Concierge, To-the-Trade, and Encore programs. Services include furniture and lighting selections, window treatment consultation and workroom services, procurement, and white-glove delivery and installation.
Requirements
- Previous experience in interior design, furnishings, or a related design field.
- Project management or project coordination experience, preferably with residential or commercial furnishings projects.
- A strong eye for design, materials, quality, and craftsmanship.
- Excellent organization and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once.
- Clear, professional communication with clients, vendors, and team members.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a calm, proactive approach under pressure.
- Comfort with standard computer and office software.
- Must live in or near Athens, Georgia.
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule, with regular time in the office/showroom and on site for deliveries and installations.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, bend, and lift moderately heavy items when supporting the workroom or installations.
- Reliable transportation.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with design or layout software.
Responsibilities
- Conduct in-person and virtual consultations to clarify project scope, budget, and client goals.
- Prepare furniture plans and floor plan layouts.
- Curate and present furniture, lighting, accessory, and window treatment selections suited to client goals, budgets, and timelines.
- Recommend materials, finishes, and fabrics, applying value engineering where appropriate.
- Support trade clients, including designers, architects, and industry professionals, with selections and product resources.
- Help maintain showroom presentation and samples.
- Manage projects from discovery and consultation through procurement, delivery, and installation.
- Create and maintain project budgets, timelines, and schedules.
- Place, track, and follow up on orders with vendors and manufacturers.
- Coordinate deliveries and installations, and oversee white-glove installations on site.
- Keep clients, showroom staff, vendors, and design partners informed throughout each project.
- Maintain accurate project records and documentation, and conduct client follow-up.
- Anticipate and resolve issues with orders, timelines, or logistics before they affect the client.
- Fill in for the workroom as needed to keep projects on schedule.
- Help coordinate window treatment and other workroom projects with the showroom and project teams.
- Check that finished work meets design specifications and quality standards.
- Follow safe work practices and keep the work area organized.
Benefits
- Opportunity to grow with a respected, long-established design firm.
- Close collaboration with an experienced design and showroom team.
- Varied, hands-on work across design, project management, and the workroom.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
