Experienced Interior Designer

Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors, based in Weddington, North Carolina, specializes in luxury full-service residential interior design. We design homes that allow our clients and families to experience luxury living. Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors offers full-service design and material selections for renovations and new construction needs.

Our award-winning and growing firm is seeking an experienced Interior Designer with creative and technical know-how with exceptional attention to detail. They lead assigned design projects from kickoff to completion. They define project requirements, schedule, and budget. They execute or oversee every step in the process to achieve project goals, work in a positive, professional, collaborative manner, handle adversity with poise, and comfortably shift gears when needed. Projects are planned and executed on target, on time, and meet project and profit goals with high customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate is an independent self-starter who also works comfortably in a team environment, exhibits warm, friendly and clear communication, works fast and accurately with exceptional attention to details, juggles multiple priorities and works well under pressure and deadlines, and comfortably follows existing processes and policies.

This is an exciting and special opportunity to be part a small but mighty team in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment with impeccable focus on quality and details. We genuinely care for our employees and clients and the long-term relationships we build. We are clear on our goals and values and live by them and we push ourselves personally and professionally to achieve our goals.

Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors offers a competitive salary with quarterly and annual bonus potential, paid vacation, sick time and holidays, plus a 2-week break between Christmas and New Year. Extra perks include "Flex" Fridays, wellness dollars every pay period, quarterly team-building days and an empowering, flexible and fun culture and environment.

What you will do :

1. Manage project start to close including project profitability

When a client commits to a proposal, the designer will attend Project Kickoff Meeting , conduct Idea Session, and record measurements the spaces included in the scope of work.

Oversee or set up client in project management software, including DesignFiles and Google Drive. Designer will establish Active Client folder to contain appropriate subfolders to categorize the project moving forward.

Communicate and collaborate with Principal on job concept and project goals

Create complete job scope list, including trades who will be involved in project

Communicate with contractors to create realistic schedule / timeline of job to ensure all parties have same expectations

Prepare client drawings and presentations

Update client budgets and specifications

Ensure materials and furnishings re within profit margin specifications

Track and record all expenses on the project

Provide exceptional customer service and care

Ensure project is on target, high quality, on time, and profitable

Plan for, prepare and attend client Install Day to ensure Design Plan is executed correctly

2. Teamwork & Leadership

Assign and delegate work to design assistant / junior designer, following up to ensure design intent is met and firm brand is maintained; monitor ongoing progress of design associate / junior designer work and provide performance feedback and coaching; mentor and coach design assistant / junior designer in successful execution with frequent status meetings to ensure quality, details and pace of work

Review and approve shop drawings and provide feedback for revisions or edits

Provide clear, proactive, direct, frequent communication and presence with teammates

Role model the firms values; contributes to company culture in a positive way

3. Establish positive, professional client, contractor, and vendor relations

Attend client meetings and present content in a positive, professional manner

Provide clear, proactive, direct, frequent communication and presence with vendors, contractors, and clients

Provide and / or contribute to weekly Friday Update emails to clients to ensure proper communication is occurring between all parties involved

Work with Procurement Specialist to inform clients and vendors of changes

Analyze and resolve complex technical, design, and installation issues

Perform site measurements

Review project drawings and work with vendors to ensure the desired vision of Principal

Trouble shoot and address problems in a pro-active, professional manner

4. Create 3D designs, architectural models, renderings, and drawings

Create As-Is drawings

Create 3D designs for bathrooms, kitchens, and furniture layouts

Design and create conceptual construction drawings for custom built-ins and furniture, if needed

Research specifications required for drawings

Develop floor plans, elevations, and Sketchup / CAD drawings

5. Create client story boards, mood boards, and specifications

Create design concepts in collaboration with Principal / Creative Director

Oversee development of story boards and mood boards to ensure accuracy, being on concept and meeting clients needs

Attend presentation of story boards and mood boards to clients

6. Research and Select Materials, Finishes, Furnishings, Fixtures

Specify materials, finishes, furnishings, lighting, accessories, etc. required for each project

Research materials, furnishings, fixtures, accessories, and finishes

Oversee stock and shipping when sourcing; check with vendors for pricing, check stock, lead-time, request for CFAs, etc.

Select materials and furnishings within profit margin guidelines and properly track all expenses on the project

Prepare client proposals for approval and purchasing and oversee creation of client Product Approval Document for accuracy

Generate and process all purchase orders and invoices, asking for support when necessary

Work with Procurement Specialist to track orders and resource items that are backordered and reselected or discontinued

Work with Procurement Specialist to notify clients of backordered items and / or cancellations and include recommended or proposed viable alternate options to select from.

Oversee calls to vendors and workrooms to follow up on / expedite orders

Update status report on daily basis and contribute to client communication via Friday Updates

Work with Procurement Specialist to coordinate pickups and deliveries with vendors (to warehouse and job sites)

Assist or lead site measurements, installations, and photo shoots

Oversee post-installation returns of unused product

7. Lead installation process, coordinate deliveries, photo shoot, and handle post installation returns

Qualifications :

Minimum of four years experience as an interior designer at a luxury design firm, with proven experience managing multiple design projects from concept to completion

Bachelors degree required, preferably in Interior Design

Must currently live in or near the Charlotte, NC area and be able to commute to our Weddington, NC office and client project site visits

Highly proficient in Sketchup

Experience with DesignFiles helpful

Proficient in Google Drive / Sheets / Slides

Must have knowledge of design process, principles, construction methods, creating detailed construction drawings with proper notation

Must have design sensibility that understands and lends itself to our signature SLB Style and functionality; design aesthetic resonates with firms portfolio of work

Excellent Project management skills