Associate Interior Designer
Jill Warren Design, Inc. is seeking an Associate Interior Designer to join our growing team. Putting our clients and their projects first is always top priority for us. We’re looking for someone who will be as invested as we are in the firm’s success by continually looking for ways to improve and contribute to the growth of JWD.
Responsibilities
- As Associate Interior Designer you are responsible for contributing to the success of both large, high-end renovations to smaller one-room furnishings projects, in the creative and project management areas, alongside our Lead Interior Designers and reporting to the Design Principal from start to finish
- Heavily assist on Chief Architect or CAD drawings. Produce kitchen cabinet layouts, and all other room plans, with high attention to detail
- Produce custom material and fixture specifications
- Source products utilizing vast knowledge and relationships with trade sources.
- Develop design concept boards with clear attention to detail to present to clients
- Run cabinet pricing, check orders and communicate with cabinet company
- Calculate tile quantity take-offs for pricing and ordering
- Obtain estimates from vendors for tile, countertops, fabrics, furniture, lighting, plumbing, etc
- Prepare preliminary budget spreadsheets with demonstrated ability to produce client quotes and internal purchase orders.
- Maintaining a trusted relationship with all clients while delivering the highest level of client service and satisfaction. Providing weekly status updates to each client.
- Visit job-sites regularly to meet with contractors, review project progress, answer questions, oversee deliveries, pricing walk-throughs, drop off products, etc.
- Maintain sample library, including working with vendors to incorporate new products and schedule visits
- Overseeing photoshoots and styling alongside Design Principal or other lead designer
- Researching opportunities and submitting firm’s work for marketing, press and design competitions
Qualifications
- Must be highly motivated, well-organized, detail-oriented, a strong communicator and a fun-loving team player who is eager to elevate the JWD client experience.
- The ideal candidate will be capable of assisting on up to 10 projects at a time, from full-service gut renovations to single room furnishings projects.
- Degree from an accredited design program
- Minimum of two (2) years experience in an assistant or associate Interior Designer role with a high-end interior firm or a design/build firm with demonstrated increasing levels of responsibility. Kitchen and cabinet design experience preferred.
- Experience with the renovation side of design, including project management, communicating with contractors, working through job-site issues, etc.
- Demonstrated strong, clear communication skills to team members, vendors, contractors and architects; in both written and verbal communications
- Strong knowledge of kitchen design and cabinet construction
- Experience with obtaining vendor quotes, writing and cross-checking purchase orders, purchasing products, and tracking deliveries
- Ability to produce construction documents as well as general design plans to convey details to both clients and contractors. This includes understanding of floor plan and elevation drawing standards, electrical plans, and cabinet plans.
- Expert knowledge of AutoCAD OR Chief Architect, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Office, Google Suite (generally computer and tech savvy)
- Experience with Design Files Project Management software is a major plus, but not required
- Demonstrated ability to put visual concept boards together in a cohesive and pleasing way
- Good time management skills with ability to multi-task, prioritize work and meet deadlines
- Acute attention to detail and problem solving skills in a fast pace environment
- Be self-motivated and display initiative from everyday office tasks to larger client-facing tasks
- Valid driver’s license and transportation with ability to transport products to and from client’s homes. Proof of insurance.
Benefits
- PTO and Sick Leave
- Professional development assistance
- Employee discount on cabinetry and other trade accounts
This is expected to be a full time position. In-office required Monday-Thursday; remote Fridays (with occasional exceptions based on project needs). This individual will work in the JWD office and be available to be onsite for projects in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, and occasional projects in Chicago and the western suburbs. This position is a minimum of 30 hours per week, but is expected to go up to 40 hours per week, after training and the probationary period.