Manager or Director, Design

Position Summary:

The Design Manager or Director leads the Design Center, guiding homebuyers through the personalization process while driving revenue and enhancing the customer experience. This role balances creative vision with operational excellence—overseeing design selections, model home curation, vendor partnerships, and Design Studio operations. Reporting to the VP of Operations, the Director ensures offerings align with market trends and company standards, while training and supporting teams to deliver exceptional service and profitable results.

Responsibilities:

• Meet with homebuyers to guide them through the design process, providing expert consultation on materials, finishes, standard and upgrade options, and custom requests while setting clear expectations to ensure satisfaction and maintain construction schedules.
• Ensure exceptional customer experience by overseeing the selection and deposit process, managing all related documentation with accuracy, and coordinating timely communication across sales, design, escrow and construction teams.
• Provide professional interior design recommendations that reflect buyer preferences, company standards, and market trends.
• Collaborate closely with construction, purchasing, sales, marketing, and trade partners on model home designs, budgets, installations, and community-specific product offerings.
• Partner with National and Divisional Purchasing to evaluate and select standard and upgrade options for upcoming communities, ensuring alignment with design trends, budgets, and vendor capabilities.
• Work with Marketing and Model Home Interior Designers to curate model home options and finishes that showcase the brand and appeal to prospective buyers.
• Manage Design Center operations, including inventory management, sample tracking, vendor coordination, and enforcing policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Operate the Design Center as a profit center, responsible for driving revenue, managing budgets, and maximizing profitability through option sales and effective cost controls.
• Support and train Design Studio and Site team members on option catalogs, ordering systems, and customer service standards while assisting with installation, product, and field issues.
• Stay current on design industry trends, emerging products, and technologies to ensure offerings remain competitive and innovative.
• Provide leadership involvement with homebuyers when escalations arise, ensuring a positive resolution and consistent customer experience.

Key Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in bachelor's degree in business administration, or a related field is preferred.
• 3+ years of related experience, preferably within the homebuilding industry.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products, with a strong focus on Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Strong communication skills and comfortable communicating cross-functionally with internal and external business partners.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deliverables in a dynamic environment.

Base Salary:

The expected base salary for this position is between $115,000 to $155,000 per year, depending on experience and skillset. Base salary is paid bi-weekly.

Benefits:

In addition to competitive health insurance coverage for team members and their dependents, Risewell Homes also provides comprehensive benefits such as generous paid time off policies, like vacation, holidays, sick leave, jury duty, and bereavement; paid disability, parental and military leave; company-sponsored and voluntary term life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurances; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching; and a wellness incentive program to help team members thrive both personally and professionally.

Physical Requirements:

This is primarily a sedentary position. Requires the ability to hear, type and talk. Finger dexterity is required to operate a computer keyboard. The primary work location is a corporate office with low to moderate noise levels. Appropriate business apparel and professional appearance is expected.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has supervisory responsibilities and will lead a team of people.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel may be required. A valid driver’s license and active vehicle insurance is required at all times.

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Disclaimer:
Risewell Homes is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this role. Management retains the discretion to add, modify, or remove job duties at any time.