Agathus Studios · 2 weeks ago
Director of Interior Design / Interior Design Manager
Tustin, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
3+ years expAgathus Studios is seeking a strategic and self-driven Director of Interior Design to lead their design department and supervise a growing team of designers. The role involves refining operational infrastructure, overseeing gallery/showroom operations, and ensuring high standards of design and project management.
ArchitectureHome DecorInterior DesignReal Estate Investment
Responsibilities
Triage incoming design client inquiries
Conduct design consultation calls
Prepare and follow-up on investment proposals and design agreements
Collect and organize client onboarding and discovery materials
Lead, mentor, supervise, and hold accountable a team of designers, coordinators, and interns
Model a positive, solutions-oriented attitude that sets the tone for the department
Provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and structured coaching to elevate the team’s output
Lead weekly team meetings and ensure alignment on priorities, standards, and milestones
Serve as the point of escalation for issues and maintain steady leadership under pressure
Maintain a bird’s-eye view of all interior design projects—timelines, milestones, designer allocation needs, and dependencies
Build, manage, and enforce project schedules
Ensure designers stay on track with deadlines and deliverables through proactive check-ins
Anticipate risks or bottlenecks early and propose solutions before they impact timelines
Coordinate with leadership on project pipeline planning and workload balance
Work closely with leadership to supervise design development from early concepts through final presentations
Review drawings, FF&E, renderings, and client-facing deliverables with an eye for detail and brand consistency
Maintain high standards of presentation, file organization, and documentation
Develop, refine, and document SOPs, workflows, templates, and departmental processes
Improve the flow of information across different teams and partners
Implement project management tools and improve internal communication systems
Create documentation, checklists, and onboarding materials that scale with the department
Identify inefficiencies and propose thoughtful improvements that streamline workflow
Support and occasionally lead client presentations and key discussions
Ensure that all decks, materials, boards, and samples are refined, organized, and on-brand
Communicate design intent, project status, and deliverable expectations with clarity, confidence, and professionalism
Oversee gallery operations, layouts, vignettes, and merchandising to maintain an elevated, on-brand environment
Support client appointments and walk-throughs
Work closely with Principals, Project Managers, Executive Assistant, Operations & Logistics Teams, Trade partners, including vendors, fabricators, and contractors
Qualification
Required
3–5+ years of managerial experience at a Senior Manager or Director level within an interior design environment (high-end residential preferred)
Proven experience supervising teams, enforcing standards, and managing performance
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, develop schedules, and maintain a global view of priorities
Extremely organized with strong systems thinking and documentation skills
Emotionally intelligent and respectful communicator
Strong design eye and ability to guide design direction
Comfortable with giving and receiving constructive feedback and handling tough conversations
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills
Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, or Adobe Creative Suite
Tech-savvy with ability to adopt new systems quickly
Role will require site visits and meetings in both Los Angeles and Orange County (possibly surrounding counties as well). Must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license and vehicle registration, and the ability to arrive on time for scheduled visits
Preferred
Showroom or gallery management experience
Experience developing SOPs, processes, and departmental workflows
Luxury residential design or architecture background
Familiarity with content creation or photography direction
Interior design certification or architecture license
Preference for candidates living near or within commuting distance of Costa Mesa
Sales experience
Benefits
Health insurance
Paid time off (holidays, sick leave, accrued vacation)
401(k) with employer match
Discretionary bonuses
Significant growth opportunities as the department expands
Mileage reimbursement
Company
Agathus Studios
Agathus Studios is a real estate investment and residential design studio that offers interior design, furnishing, and styling services.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Haran Tae
Co-Founder
Jerry Chen
Co-Founder
Company data provided by crunchbase