Design Manager

We’re innovative. We’re customer centric. We’re experience focused. We embrace the changing ideal of what and where people call home. We also believe in our formula for success – talented team collaborating with integrity, always executing, always innovating, while transforming neighborhoods and enhancing peoples’ lives.

Onyx+East is a full-service home builder including development, construction, marketing, design, and sales – focused on serving clients seeking walkable neighborhoods and homes that make their life more connected and convenient. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Onyx+East is comprised of inspired and industrious individuals who are passionate about active lifestyles, exceptional customer experiences and creating solutions for neighborhoods that positively impact communities.

The Design Manager is responsible for leading Design Studio operations and curating the design aspects of the home buying experience. The role manages the options and selections process, focused on delivering excellence in design and customer experience. The Design Manager works directly with the Construction and Purchasing teamst to deliver homes, products and options that drive style and design, reinforce our brand, and enhance profitability for the company. The role is responsible for aligning Design Studio options with current trends and plays a key role in driving product innovation within Onyx+East. The Design Manager collaborates regularly with the internal sales, marketing, purchasing, and construction teams with the ultimate goal of creating a streamlined home buying experience with exceptional customer service. 

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities:

· Lead and manage the Design Studio operations for our Corporate Indiana market, overseeing the buyer and spec home option selection process to ensure a high level of internal and external customer satisfaction and team execution. 

· Ensure Design Team delivers excellence in customer experience, building relationships and trust throughout the design process with effective communication, product, pricing, and process clarity, and creation of a personalized design process for each buyer.

· Assist in establishing Design Centers for new market launches and training sales and design team members regarding the Design Center process and product offerings.

· Collaborate with the Ohio & Florida team and future markets to ensure consistency regarding the design team process to deliver a seamless Design Center experience across markets. 

· Ensure option lineup is continually up to date on trends in design and innovation in products. 

· Serve as subject matter expert about features and benefits of the options and selections offered to customers. 

· Provide regular training to the sales team and design team members to ensure key product features are understood and expectations are being correctly set for customers.

· Work with internal teams in the segmentation of standards and options across all product lines, identifying option platform to deliver on customer expectations in each product segment. 

· Develop compelling packages for various product segments to deliver high design, simplify selections process and increase margin opportunity. Train internal teams on packages.

· Identify areas to grow revenue and option margin based on pricing and customer demand.

· Manage Design Studio coordination of product displays with vendors to ensure accurate specifications are demonstrated for customers and displays continuously reflect current offerings. 

· Works with Operations Team to ensure accuracy in Design Studio software system for all option pricing and products. 

· Coordinate with Product Development team in the product design process to improve existing product based on customer feedback and to create new opportunities in product with insights on consumer and design trends. 

· Assist Marketing and Sales team in the merchandising and staging of model or spec homes. 

· Prepare and present spec home selections to market sales & leadership teams for review and approval.

· Collaborate with Marketing Team to review and advise on marketing materials, including floorplans, elevations, displays, and digital media to ensure accuracy in what is presented to Sales Team and Customers.

· Regularly walks projects with team to verify field installation of design/options meet design intent and support marketing and sales efforts. 

Experience and Skill Requirements:

· Minimum of three to five years of experience in interior design, new home sales, home building, or purchasing estimating. 

· Experience managing others and working in a new home design studio is strongly preferred.

· Willingness and ability to travel and assist in setup and training for remote Design Centers. 

· Proficient in various technology platforms, with the ability to quickly learn new technology as needed. 

· Knowledge and experience working with New Star Constellation highly preferred. 

· Skilled in concepts of design and knowledgeable on the latest trends in residential design.

· Knowledge of key features and properties of typical materials used in home construction finishes.

· Strong customer service focus and desire to be in a customer facing role. 

· Ability to lead and manage through conflict and set customer expectations to ensure satisfaction in the end product.

· Ability to balance multiple priorities and collaborate with teams throughout the organization to deliver excellence throughout the Design Center experience.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

· Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.

· Attention to detail.

· Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends as needed.