Design Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stewards the brand exemplifying the mission and values while growing and protecting the reputation of GDB. Responsible for building trust with employees, partners and customers.
  
• Accountable for building and leading a high-performing team and instilling the culture of GDB as one which is dedicated to its mission and values of maintaining the highest level of excellence and integrity, and strongly oriented to delivering outrageous customer service.
• Develops, trains, maintains and continuously improves as applicable an effective design and specification processes for efficiency and expanded capacity for more clients.
• Works closely with marketing to refine the competitive advantage, value proposition, ideal customer and develop strategies to attract and find qualified customers.
• Works cross functionally with Production Manager and procurement, production and finance to enhance project transition for efficient completion.
• Works with sales, interior designers, architectural designers, and marketing to evolve and maintain showroom.
• Collaborate with both finance and sales to enhance the accuracy of estimating in order to achieve the necessary profit margins and sales targets.
• Maintain overhead costs of interior design and architectural designers in relation to the time investment versus the cost of goods sold (COGS), while also ensuring accountability for process compliance and goal attainment.
• Works with sales and designers on project transition, ensuring selections meet clients functional and aesthetic needs, producing floor plans, elevations, 3D renderings for client presentations; bid sets and construction plans for architectural review and accurately estimating costs meeting scope and budget.
• Develop team training plans to keep team current and relevant in kitchen, bath, lower level and whole house remodeling spaces.
• Handle escalated complaints, settle disputes, and resolve grievances and conflicts.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A bachelor’s degree in relevant field – interior design, architecture, construction management or business administration.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in remodeling or construction sales and design, AIA designation a plus.
• Proficient in creating and reading floor plans, 2D, 3D, bid sets and construction/ build sets. Includes ability to understand mechanical, electrical and plumbing building systems.
• Strong understanding of construction management processes.
• Strong understanding of construction finance, project profitability and measures of financial performance.
• Solid ability to build relationships, to motivate, negotiate and persuade diverse groups and individuals.
• Competent in conflict and crisis management.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to shift priorities and deal with changing demands in an effective manner.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills are essential to connect with diverse audiences.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite specifically Word, Excel and Outlook; experience in 2020 Design Live, AutoCAD, Buildertrend, Smartsheets and/or other like software.
• Strong work ethic and accountability. Positive attitude open to teamwork and thoughtful approach to management and leadership while holding people accountable.  High energy and sense of humor.
• Valid driver’s license, car insurance and reliable mode of transportation. Ability to travel locally, work some nights and weekends as needed.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary, depending on experience
• Potential profit-sharing plan
• Potential for ownership in the company
  
• Partial cell phone reimbursement
• Paid Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
• Paid Time Off
• Health, dental and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Wisconsin Athletic Club Membership