Director of Design

Position Overview

Circadia brings industry-leading knowledge to integrate people and space in productive work environments that foster creation, collaboration and connection. For nearly 80 years, Circadia has served the St. Louis metropolitan area, earning a reputation synonymous with value, service and integrity.

Director of Design leads the design team and owns design operations to ensure a consistent, high-quality customer experience and strong project execution. This role manages team performance, workload distribution, design standards, and capacity planning while collaborating with Sales, Account Coordinators, and Project Managers to keep projects moving efficiently from pursuit through install. The Director of Design is accountable for design quality, on-time deliverables, utilization, and team growth as business needs evolve.

Key Responsibilities


Lead & Develop a High-Performing Design Team

Mentor, coach, and develop designers to drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Conduct regular 1:1s, quarterly check-ins, and annual performance reviews.
Support hiring, onboarding, and training to ensure team growth aligns with workload demand.



Own Workload Management, Capacity Planning & Deadlines

Manage design intake, prioritization, and project assignment across the team based on urgency, complexity, and capacity.
Monitor workload and deadlines to ensure consistent delivery and proactive communication.
Identify resource gaps early and partner with leadership on staffing and workload planning.



Ensure Consistent Design Quality & Best Practices

Set and uphold standards for documentation, deliverables, and design excellence across all projects.
Reduce rework through clear processes, quality control, and team coaching.
Stay current on product updates, industry trends, and tools that improve design output and efficiency.



Drive Customer Experience Through Cross-Functional Partnership

Partner closely with Sales, Account Coordinators, and Project Managers to ensure alignment on scope, timelines, and expectations.
Support key presentations, showroom experiences, and strategic opportunities as needed.
Escalate and resolve project risks early to protect customer satisfaction and project success.



Own Design Metrics, Utilization & Billable Performance

Drive accountability around utilization, time entry discipline, and design billing expectations.
Monitor trends and performance metrics to improve efficiency and outcomes.
Provide visibility to leadership on capacity, utilization, and team performance.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in interior design or a related field (preferred).
8-10+ years of contract furniture design experience; dealership experience strongly preferred.
3-5+ years of leadership or people management experience.
Strong working knowledge of the design process, documentation standards, and contract furniture applications.
Proficient in AutoCAD, CET, and Microsoft Office.
Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional leadership skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.