What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Integration Manager (Remote) position at Kimball International?
High-Level Statement of the Role :
The Design Integration Manager leads the strategic vision and execution of CET, Revit, Marxent, and web-based design tools, ensuring a seamless and intuitive specification experience. This role is responsible for optimizing these platforms to drive adoption, enhance market reach, and support sales by improving the efficiency of specifiers. A key focus is establishing tool connectivity and strengthening the digital ecosystem to make specification as effortless as possible.
This role collaborates closely with the eTools development team, web team, Design Strategists, and Product team to align tool enhancements with business objectives. The Design Integration Manager is responsible for identifying training gaps versus tool limitations, prioritizing feature enhancements based on user feedback, and informing training strategies for dealer designers.
Additionally, this position leads and manages a team of Design Integration Specialists, providing guidance and direction to ensure consistency in execution and continuous improvement of design tools and processes.
Success is measured through adoption rates, sales impact, specification accuracy, and overall process efficiency.
Key Responsibilities :
Strategic Leadership & VisionDevelop and lead the long-term strategy for CET, Revit, Marxent, and web-based design tools.Ensure alignment with business objectives to drive product differentiation, enhance user experience, and boost sales performance.Advocate for the integration of web-based tools to streamline the specification process.Cross-Platform Integration & Optimization
Partner with product development, sales, design, and web teams to ensure tool enhancements align with : Product roadmaps and market demands.End-user needs and workflow improvements.Identify and prioritize new feature development based on user feedback and business goals.Project & Change Management
Oversee planning, execution, and adoption of : Tool updates and new feature rollouts.Process improvements that drive efficiency.Coordinate across multiple teams to ensure seamless implementation.Proactively manage change, ensuring users are supported through transitions.Stakeholder Collaboration & User Advocacy
Engage with internal teams, dealers, and A&D professionals to : Gather feedback on tool performance and usability.Identify pain points and prioritize enhancements.Act as the voice of the user, ensuring tools support real-world workflows.Training Strategy & Adoption Support
Identify training gaps versus tool limitations, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.Collaborate with training teams and design strategists to develop educational materials and adoption programs.Support the successful rollout of new features by guiding training initiatives.Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement
Define and track KPIs related to : Adoption rates and user engagement.Sales impact and product specification accuracy.Overall tool effectiveness and ROI.Leverage data-driven insights to refine strategies and improve platform usability.Team Leadership & Development
The Design Integration Specialist will report directly to this manager, ensuring alignment with overall strategic initiatives and dealer support needs.The Design Trainers will report to this leader, providing training and guidance to dealership designers to enhance product knowledge and application. This role will also support the rollout of new eTools and train users on how to effectively utilize them.Provide strategic guidance and professional development opportunities.Foster collaboration to ensure consistent execution of the eTools strategy.Skills to Perform This Role :
Leadership Skills
Strategic & Visionary Thinking - Ability to develop and execute long-term strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring continuous improvement of eTools.Team Development & Mentorship - Leads, develops, and supports a team of Design Integration Specialists, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and innovation.Cross-Functional Collaboration - Effectively works with product development, sales, design, and web teams to drive alignment and optimize tool integration.Change Management & Adaptability - Guides teams and stakeholders through tool enhancements, process improvements, and evolving business needs with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.Data-Driven Decision Making - Utilizes performance metrics and user feedback to make informed decisions that drive adoption, efficiency, and business impact.Interpersonal Skills
Effective Communication - Clearly articulates ideas, strategies, and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding.Relationship Building - Fosters strong connections with internal teams, dealers, and A&D professionals, promoting collaboration and user-driven improvements.Empathy & User Advocacy - Listens to user feedback with a customer-centric mindset, ensuring design tools are intuitive and meet real-world needs.Conflict Resolution & Negotiation - Navigates differing priorities and perspectives across teams to find common ground and drive consensus on tool enhancements and strategic decisions.Business Skills
Strategic Alignment - Ensures eTools initiatives align with overall business goals, driving product adoption, sales growth, and competitive differentiation.Market & Industry Insight - Stays informed on industry trends, competitor tools, and emerging technologies to maintain a strategic edge in digital specification solutions.Communication Skills
Clarity & Precision - Communicates complex technical concepts and strategic initiatives in a way that is clear, concise, and accessible to diverse audiences.Active Listening & Feedback Integration - Engages with stakeholders, gathers insights, and translates user feedback into actionable improvements for eTools.Influence & Persuasion - Effectively advocates for tool enhancements, process improvements, and training initiatives, ensuring alignment and buy-in across teams.Technical Skills
CET (Required) - Deep understanding of CET Designer, including configuration, workflow optimization, and feature implementation to enhance user experience.Revit (Preferred) - Familiarity with Revit for space planning and architectural integration, ensuring alignment with industry standards.Teamwork (Preferred) - Experience with Teamwork or similar project management tools for tracking eTools development, training initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration.Digital Specification & Visualization Tools - Knowledge of Marxent or other 3D visualization platforms to improve digital specification processes.Web-Based Design & Connectivity - Understanding of web integrations and online design tools, supporting seamless workflows between digital platforms.Data Analysis & Reporting - Ability to interpret KPIs, user adoption data, and tool performance metrics to guide strategic decisions.Microsoft Office & Collaboration Tools - Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and other collaboration platforms for reporting, training, and cross-team communication.Qualifications :
Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).5 years of experience in design technology, digital specification tools, or related roles.CET (Required) - Deep understanding of CET Designer, including configuration, workflow optimization, and feature implementation to enhance user experience.Experience managing teams and leading cross-functional collaboration.Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives.Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate user needs into actionable improvements.Familiarity with industry trends, competitor tools, and emerging technologies in digital specification and design.Ability to travel as needed, including quarterly in-market visits and attendance at industry events and conferences to stay connected with emerging trends and user needs.Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
5 years of experience in design technology, digital specification tools, or related rolesExperience managing teams and leading cross-functional collaboration.Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiativesExcellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate user needs into actionable improvements.Familiarity with industry trends, competitor tools, and emerging technologies in digital specification and design.Ability to travel as needed, including quarterly in-market visits and attendance at industry events and conferences to stay connected with emerging trends and user needs.
