Director of Design at Amber Interiors Inc – Calabasas, California

JOB TITLE: Director of Design

SUPERVISOR: Owner & Principal Designer

JOB TYPE: This is a hybrid role, with a minimum expectation of 3 days per week in the office to facilitate collaboration and partnership across teams.

About the Role: The Director of Design oversees the firm’s design output across all projects, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with the company’s strategic goals. This role is pivotal in translating the Principal Designer’s vision into actionable plans, managing the design team’s workflow, and ensuring projects meet deadlines while exceeding client expectations.

The Director of Design leads the three main design departments, FF&E, Construction, and Technical, with a dotted line to Procurement (reporting to the Director of Design Operations). This role ensures internal processes are efficient, designs are accurate, and creative directives are effectively implemented across all project phases.

This role collaborates closely with the Principal Designer on both macro and micro-level design decisions while managing day-to-day client communications and ensuring expectations are aligned with project progress.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

• Lead and manage the FF&E, Construction, and Technical teams, ensuring efficient workflow, proper resource allocation, and accountability.

• Provide redline reviews, quality checks, and process guidance to ensure high standards across all departments.

• Foster a collaborative and innovative environment, encouraging creativity, professional growth, and cross-department collaboration.

• Conduct performance reviews, provide feedback, and identify training and development opportunities.

• Maintain a dotted-line relationship with Design Ops and Procurement to ensure FF&E sourcing and vendor processes align with design execution.

FF&E Leadership:

• Provide leadership and oversight for FF&E processes, including sourcing strategy, vendor relationships, and budget alignment, ensuring the design team operates efficiently.

• Guide the design team on FF&E selections, schedules, and creative direction.

• Collaborate with Procurement (reporting to the Director of Design Operations) to ensure that purchasing and vendor execution align with design intent.

Construction & TechnicalLeadership:

• Oversee redlines, submittals, and construction documentation.

• Conduct site visits and coordinate with contractors to ensure design intent is properly executed.

• Manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables within the Construction department.

• Review technical drawings for accuracy and compliance with design intent.

• Implement QA/QC processes to maintain high technical standards.

• Ensure the team follows consistent processes across all projects.

Strategic Planning:

• Partner with the Principal Designer on macro and micro design directives for each project.

• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and innovation within the design departments.

• Participate in client pitches and presentations to support business development initiatives.

Client Relations:

• Serve as primary point of contact for day-to-day client communication.

• Manage client expectations, address feedback, and maintain strong client relationships.

• Collaborate with the Principal Designer to ensure overall tone and direction of client interactions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field; Master’s preferred.

• 10+ years of senior design experience, with at least 6 years in a leadership/management role.

• Proven ability to lead multi-department design teams, with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality work across diverse project types.

• Experience managing complex client relationships and project execution.

• Ability to travel to project sites and vendors, and assist with physical on-site installations.

Skills Needed in this Role:

• Leadership & team management across multiple design divisions

• Project management and organization

• Client relations and communication

• Creative problem-solving and strategic thinking

• FF&E, Construction, and Technical process leadership

• Attention to detail, QA/QC, and quality control

• Proficiency in Notion, NetSuite, and industry-standard design software

Amber Interiors is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.