Director of Commercial Interior Design

79904
Austin, TX
Contract
2 weeks ago
Client: S Tipton Studio
Role: Director of Commercial Interiors
Quantity/Headcount:  1
Position: 6 month, contract-to-hire
Location: S. Tipton Studio –3724 Executive Center Dr. Suite 110 Austin, TX 78731
Pay Rate:  50-65
Bill Rate: 90
Start Date:  March 1st
Schedule: 9-3 PM are core hours, total 40 hours*
*Can start anytime between 7-9am, work late M-Th, can have half-day Fridays
Remote/Hybrid/on-site: Hybrid. Mon and Friday remote
Travel: occasional travel to events or jobsites, less than 10%
Relocation: no
Interview Process: 
Tax Status: W2/GC – NO H1B or sponsorship
Hiring Manager: Sandy Tipton, Mason Waldo
 
What is this role, and why is it important?
This position is a backfill for the Studio’s Current Director of Commercial Interiors. He is going to be leaving Austin to relocate to North Carolina. He will still be an employee and support from the East Coast. Additionally, he will help the new Director ramp up  ’til Q3 2025 to make transition smooth as possible.
Person they are backfilling: Mason Waldo https://www.linkedin.com/in/mason-waldo-ncidq-rid-68337a80/
 
 
 MUST HAVES:
  •  Registered Interior Designer (RID)
  • Studio Management Experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree

 
 NICE TO HAVES:

  •  Industry Experience: Experience in at least a few of the following industries: corporate office, medical office, retail, hospitality, multifamily or restaurant.
  • Additional Interior Design Certs

 
Questions for IH/screening

  • When you talk to people and work with a team under you, are you operational/structured, a designer/creative, or a teacher … or a combination of all the above?
  • (correct answer should be a combination of all the above)
  • What is your design Process?
  • How do you like to work when leading a team?
  • Solo, top down = bad answers
  • Collaboratively and no ownership of design = good answers
  • How do you critique design?
  • *red flags: if they seem controlling or “like a dictator”
  • How do you bring in more work and projects? How do you scale?

     
     
    Position Title: Director of Commercial Interior Design
    Overview:
    The Director of Commercial Interior Design will embody the values of S. Tipton Studio, taking ownership of both their individual team’s success and the studio as a whole. This role requires a growth-minded, resourceful leader with studio management experience and the desire to either lead or learn how to guide a close-knit, forward-thinking firm. The ideal candidate must also have a strong appetite for networking, business development, and contributing to the firm’s growth.
     
    Key Responsibilities:

    • Leadership & Collaboration
    • Participate in strategic planning meetings (quarterly & annually) and contribute to the studio’s success.
    • Collaborate with fellow Directors, attend weekly Leadership meetings, and make staffing decisions.
    • Analyze team financials, lead studio initiatives, and drive profitability.
  • Team Development & Mentorship
  • Mentor team members at various levels (IID/SID/AD) and conduct quarterly and annual check-ins.
  • Identify and recruit strategic hires to strengthen the team.
  • Financial & Resource Management
  • Monitor financial performance, manage project load and forecasting.
  • Assess incoming project opportunities, allocate resources, and optimize team workloads.
  • Project Management & Quality Control
  • Lead major projects from SD to DD and ensure smooth handoffs.
  • Monitor project deliverables to ensure high quality and final checks for all phases.
  • Business Development & Networking
  • Engage in BD activities to maintain a steady project load and drive business growth.
  • Research market opportunities and stay informed on trends in the CRE industry.
  • Expand professional networks and represent the studio at industry events.
  • Marketing & Proposal Development
  • Lead project interviews and assemble competitive proposals.

     
    Certifications & Degree Requirements:

    • Certifications:
    • RID (Registered Interior Designer)
  • Degree:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field required. A master’s degree is a plus.

     
    Qualifications & Competencies:

    • Proven leadership and team-building abilities.
    • Deep expertise in commercial interior design with a strong project delivery track record.
    • Strong financial acumen and experience managing project budgets.
    • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
    • Business development mindset to expand the firm’s presence.
    • Strong communicator and relationship builder, both internally and externally.
    • Industry Experience: Experience in at least a few of the following industries: corporate office, medical office, retail, hospitality, multifamily or restaurant.

    • The pay range that the employer reasonably expects to pay for this position is between $50.00 and $65.00

    Our voluntary benefits offering includes medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

    Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

    Tundra Technical Solutions would like to thank you for the interest you have demonstrated in this opportunity. However, only candidates with the required skills will be contacted.

    Tundra Technical Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome and encourage diversity in our workplace.

    Not interested in this position, but know somebody who might be? Check out our Referral Reward Program, referrals are a big secret behind our success. As always, we’re on the lookout for great people. And we know that you know great people!

    Tundra Technical Solutions is among North America’s leading providers of Information Technology and Engineering staffing and consulting services. Our success and our clients’ success are built on a foundation of service excellence. Rather than continually trying to sell to new clients and companies and simply filling databases with candidates, we focus on developing stronger relationships and deeper knowledge of our existing clients’ challenges and opportunities.

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