Design Operations Manager

About Nimbus 9

Nimbus 9 is a Cincinnati-based interior design firm founded in 1983. We specialize in creating thoughtful, elevated residential and select commercial spaces for incredible clients with high-end homes, businesses, and properties.

Our work is rooted in strong creative vision, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering a seamless, highly personalized experience from concept through completion. We are a small, collaborative team with high standards, meaningful client relationships, and a deep appreciation for beautiful, well-executed design.

Job Overview

Nimbus 9 is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-driven Design Operations Manager to play a key leadership role in the day-to-day operations of our interior design firm.

This person will work directly with the Principal Designer and design team to manage procurement, project coordination, vendor communication, client updates, installation logistics, and the operational systems that keep our high-end design projects moving smoothly from proposal through final installation.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves design, organization, problem-solving, and process. The ideal candidate is polished, positive, highly capable, and comfortable managing many moving pieces at once. They should take ownership, anticipate needs, communicate clearly, and find satisfaction in making complex projects feel smooth, organized, and beautifully executed.

For the right person, this role offers meaningful growth potential, a seat at the leadership table, and opportunities for profit sharing as the position and company continue to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the purchasing and operational process from proposal through final installation
• Work directly with the Principal Designer and design team to support project execution
• Assist with proposals, purchase orders, invoices, order tracking, and project documentation
• Price products and services, confirm item details, and ensure selections are current and available
• Place and track orders, manage lead times, and monitor ship dates, backorders, and delivery timelines
• Communicate regularly with clients, vendors, receivers, contractors, installers, and the design team
• Keep clients and designers informed with timely updates regarding orders, delays, deliveries, and installation schedules
• Coordinate deposit invoices, balance payments, vendor invoices, and payment follow-up
• Organize and schedule deliveries, receiving, subcontractors, contractors, vendors, and installers
• Manage damages, claims, replacements, and related follow-up
• Maintain organized spreadsheets, schedules, reports, and project records
• Proactively identify issues, delays, or missing information and help implement solutions
• Help create and maintain systems that improve organization, communication, and efficiency across the firm
• Support a seamless, high-touch client experience from start to finish

Qualifications

• Positive, professional, polished, and highly organized
• Proactive self-starter with strong attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Confident, flexible, and solution-focused problem-solver
• Comfortable managing changing priorities in a fast-paced, creative environment
• Excellent spreadsheet, organizational, and follow-through skills
• Ability to communicate professionally with high-end clients, vendors, and trade partners
• Minimum 2 years of experience in procurement, operations, design administrative support, project coordination, or a related role preferred
• Experience in interior design, construction, furniture, luxury retail, or a related industry is a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Preferred but not required: familiarity with Squarespace and Square

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time position with competitive salary, health care plan available, 401(k), designer discounts, and opportunities for professional growth.

Paid time off includes two weeks of vacation, plus Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas through New Year’s.

Join us as a Design Operations Manager to energize our creative processes through innovative solutions and strategic insights. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping a high-performing environment where design excellence meets operational brilliance!

Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person