Design Team Manager

Design Team Manager (Interior Design)

Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Department: Interior Design
Reports To: Owner / Principal Designer

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly organized and client-focused Design Team Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our interior design team while serving as the sole point of contact for all client communication following contract signing.

This role is responsible for managing team workflow, ensuring clarity in project direction, and creating a seamless client onboarding and communication experience. All client inquiries, questions, and feedback flow through the Design Team Manager, ensuring that designers are respected and focused on design work rather than handling ad hoc client messages. Designers communicate with clients only via scheduled phone calls, Microsoft Teams, meetings, or in-person consultations—all coordinated through the Design Team Manager.

The Design Team Manager will act as the central hub between clients, the design team, and the Owner/Principal Designer—allowing the Owner to focus on creative direction rather than daily team oversight. This role works in close partnership with the Design Team Project Manager, who oversees procurement, vendor coordination, and logistics.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Workflow Management

• Serve as the direct manager and primary point of accountability for all design team members
• Oversee daily workflow across all active design projects
• Assign projects and tasks based on team capacity, strengths, and priorities
• Ensure all team members have clear direction, expectations, and deadlines
• Run regular team meetings to review project status, priorities, and workload
• Proactively identify and resolve confusion, bottlenecks, or competing priorities
• Maintain consistency and quality across all design deliverables (presentations, concepts, drawings)

Client Onboarding & Communication Management

• Act as the first and sole point of contact for all clients after contract signing
• Lead client onboarding, including kickoff meetings and process overview
• Set clear expectations around design phases, timelines, and communication channels
• Manage client feedback, approvals, and revisions in a structured and organized way
• Ensure designers are protected from unscheduled client communication; all client contact occurs via:
• Scheduled phone calls
• Microsoft Teams messages
• Structured meetings (virtual or in-person)
• Translate client goals, preferences, and lifestyle needs into clear direction for the design team

Design Direction & Project Alignment

• Ensure all projects move smoothly through design phases (concept, design development, presentation)
• Confirm that design intent, scope, and client expectations are clearly understood by the team
• Act as the bridge between the design team and the Owner/Principal Designer
• Escalate high-level creative decisions or approvals to the Owner when needed
• Ensure alignment between client expectations and design output

Communication & Coordination

• Streamline communication across clients, the design team, and the Owner
• Reduce conflicting direction by centralizing all client interaction through this role
• Keep the Owner informed on project status, risks, and key decisions without requiring day-to-day involvement
• Partner closely with the Design Team Project Manager to ensure smooth handoff between design and procurement phases

Process & Team Development

• Establish and refine workflows that improve clarity, accountability, and efficiency
• Help implement systems for tracking design progress and team capacity
• Coach and support designers in time management, communication, and execution
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and positive team culture

Qualifications

• 4–8+ years of experience in interior design, design team leadership, or creative operations
• Prior experience managing or mentoring a design team strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of interior design processes and project phases
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Strong client-facing experience
• Experience with project/design management tools (e.g., Basecamp, SketchUp, Revit, AutoCAD, etc.)

Key Competencies

• Team leadership and accountability
• Clear, confident communication
• Strong decision-making and prioritization
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Client experience mindset

Success in This Role Looks Like

• The design team has clear direction, ownership, and priorities at all times
• Workflow is smooth, with minimal confusion or rework
• Clients feel confident, informed, and well-guided through the design process
• Designers are respected and focused, with all client communication managed centrally
• The Owner/Principal Designer is no longer involved in day-to-day team management
• Communication is streamlined, reducing conflicting input and inefficiencies
• The team operates with strong accountability and collaboration

Why This Role Matters

This role is essential to creating structure, clarity, and efficiency within the design team while elevating the client experience. By centralizing team management and all client communication, the Design Team Manager ensures that projects run smoothly, designers are respected, and the Owner can focus on creative leadership and business growth.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person