Design Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director

Company: LG Group

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Leadership / Operations

Date Posted: May 05, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor the interior design team, ensuring high-quality project execution and fostering a collaborative environment.

• Oversee the financial and operational management of Offshoot Creative, including pipeline management, financial projections, billing, and identifying new revenue streams.

• Drive business development through cultivating client relationships, supporting promotional efforts, and active industry networking within the Chicago design community.

• Serve as the subject matter expert for interior design, ensuring quality assurance for all design plans, documentation, and execution, while staying abreast of industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Director," the core responsibilities and emphasis on financial/operational management, pipeline oversight, job costing analysis, and profitability indicate a strong Revenue Operations and Sales Operations component. This role bridges creative leadership with business acumen, requiring a candidate who can manage both the artistic vision and the commercial viability of the design department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Financial & Operational Oversight: Manage the design department's financials, including pipeline management, forecasting, billing, accounts receivable, and ensuring profitability through effective project scope management and client expectations.

• Team Leadership & Development: Inspire, coach, mentor, and develop interior designers, delegating responsibilities and fostering individual growth and accountability within a collaborative work environment.

• Project Execution Management: Oversee all phases of design, from interpreting client briefs to ensuring timely and budget-compliant deliverables, managing workloads, and fostering a solution-oriented approach to project challenges.

• Business Development & Client Relations: Cultivate new and existing client relationships, support promotional activities, identify opportunities to expand the client base, and actively engage in networking within the Chicago design community.

• Quality Assurance & Expertise: Provide rigorous quality assurance for all design outputs, serve as the firm's subject matter expert, and stay current with building codes, regulations, environmental standards, design trends, technologies, and materials.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Coordinate with project management teams, Principals, and other departments to promote an interdisciplinary design approach, align with firm strategy, and contribute to firm-wide proposals and standards.

• Market Analysis & Innovation: Conduct ongoing market benchmarking and competitive analysis, identify opportunities to enhance the service portfolio, and explore new revenue avenues, such as FF&E procurement in a re-sale/tax-exempt model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "pipeline management," "financial projections and forecasting," "job costing data to improve pricing," "team efficiency, profitability and capacity," and "identifying additional revenue streams" strongly suggests that candidates with a background in Sales Operations or Revenue Operations principles will be highly valued, even within a design-focused role. This is not just about creative direction but also about driving commercial success for the design division.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in interior design, with a significant portion in leadership, creative direction, or management roles.

• Proven track record of success managing design projects, teams, and client relationships.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership: Ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a design team, fostering collaboration and professional growth.

• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in financial management, including pipeline management, forecasting, budgeting, job costing analysis, and billing oversight.

• Project Management: Expertise in managing multiple projects simultaneously, from concept to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

• Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, understand client needs, and drive satisfaction.

• Technical Design Proficiency: Advanced skills in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and the Adobe Creative Suite.

• FF&E Expertise: In-depth knowledge of FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) sourcing, specification, and procurement, including tax-exempt models.

• Business Development: Demonstrated ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities and expand client bases.

• Quality Assurance: Strong understanding of quality control principles and application in design documentation and execution.

Preferred Skills:

• Branding & Storytelling: In-depth understanding of branding principles and how to apply them through design to engage target audiences.

• Market Analysis: Experience with market benchmarking and competitive analysis to inform strategy and service offerings.

• Innovation & Strategy: Ability to identify and leverage innovation to enhance service portfolios and explore new revenue avenues.

• Industry Networking: Active participation and established network within the Chicago design and vendor community.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working effectively with project management, construction, and other firm-wide departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "pipeline management," "financial projections and forecasting," "job costing data to improve pricing," and "identifying additional revenue streams" suggests that candidates with a strong understanding of sales operations, revenue forecasting, and business development strategies will be highly advantageous. Experience in managing the financial health and growth of a department is as critical as design expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of impactful interior design projects across various sectors (hospitality, retail, residential, multi-family, office).

• Clearly demonstrate leadership and team management capabilities within project examples.

• Highlight projects where financial oversight, budget management, and profitability were key success factors.

• Include examples of how you have identified and pursued new revenue streams or service expansions.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting design processes, from initial client brief interpretation to final execution and quality assurance.

• Provide examples of established workflows for project timeline and budget management.

• Showcase methods for tracking team time, analyzing job costing data, and using this data to inform future pricing and efficiency improvements.

• Illustrate processes for client relationship management and engagement tracking.

• Detail your approach to quality assurance and staying updated on industry standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the significant operational and financial responsibilities, candidates should be prepared to present a portfolio that not only showcases design excellence but also demonstrates their ability to manage the business aspects of design. This includes evidence of financial oversight, process optimization, and driving revenue growth within a creative department.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $140,000 per year

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Hybrid work policy, offering flexibility between remote and in-office work.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• Creative project leadership roles.

• Collaborative, team-focused culture that values creativity and impact.

• Chance to lead transformative initiatives for high-profile clients and projects.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and business needs, aligning with a hybrid work policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range of $110,000 - $140,000 for a Director-level position in Chicago aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced design leaders with significant operational and financial responsibilities. The benefits package, including unlimited PTO and a hybrid policy, is highly attractive and reflects a modern, employee-centric approach.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Real Estate Development, Construction, and Design. LG Group operates as an integrated firm, combining development, construction, and design services. Offshoot Creative is their design arm, focusing on sophisticated aesthetics that blend current trends, technology, and thoughtful material use.

Company Size: The provided input does not specify the exact size of LG Group or Offshoot Creative, but it is described as a "full-service real estate development, construction, and design firm," suggesting a substantial organization with multiple integrated teams.

Founded: LG Development was founded on principles of ingenuity, teamwork, and expertise, integrating finance, design, marketing, leasing, and management. The founding date is not specified, but its operational model suggests a mature company structure.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will co-lead Offshoot Creative with the Creative Director, implying a shared leadership model.

• The design team consists of interior designers who will report to the Design Director.

• Collaboration is expected across varying levels and departments within LG Group, including project management and Principals.

Methodology:

• Integrated Approach: LG Group emphasizes a holistic approach by having finance, design, marketing, leasing, and management teams under one roof, fostering seamless integration and collaboration.

• Data-Driven Decisions: The role requires leveraging financial projections, job costing data analysis, and market benchmarking to inform pricing, efficiency, and strategic decisions.

• Solution-Oriented: A culture of critical thinking and a "can-do" attitude is promoted for problem-solving within project execution.

• Continuous Improvement: Emphasis on proactive identification of improvement areas, evaluation of competition, and pursuit of continuing education to maintain industry-leading expertise.

Company Website: LG Group's primary website is not directly provided but can be inferred through the domain "lgcorp.com."

📝 Enhancement Note: The integrated nature of LG Group suggests a dynamic work environment where cross-functional collaboration is key. The Design Director will need to navigate internal teams and external partners, balancing creative vision with the operational and financial realities of development and construction projects. The emphasis on "teamwork and expertise" as founding principles is a strong indicator of the desired culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the design function, bridging creative direction with significant business operations and financial management. It's a Director-level role with P&L (Profit & Loss) and team management responsibilities, requiring a blend of creative vision and commercial acumen.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will co-lead Offshoot Creative, likely reporting to senior leadership within LG Group (e.g., Principals or a Chief Creative Officer/Head of Design). They will directly manage a team of interior designers.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is multifaceted, directly influencing the financial performance of the design department through pipeline management and profitability oversight, shaping the firm's brand and client relationships through high-quality design execution, and contributing to overall business development and strategic growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand leadership scope within Offshoot Creative or LG Group, potentially overseeing larger design initiatives or new service lines.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to influence the strategic direction of LG Group's design offerings and service portfolio.

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in financial management, operations, and business development within the context of real estate development and design.

• Industry Recognition: Build a strong personal brand through industry engagement, thought leadership, and contributing to high-profile projects.

• Mentorship: Develop and mentor emerging talent within the design field, contributing to the growth of the next generation of designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is ideal for a design professional who is looking to move beyond purely creative responsibilities and take on significant business management duties. The "operations" aspect of this role is substantial, offering a unique growth path for those who excel at both design leadership and commercial strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid work policy, suggesting a combination of remote work and in-office collaboration. The physical office is located at 363 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654-5716.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Chicago, IL. The company also operates in other locations as indicated by "LG Group" and its diverse portfolio.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role involves co-leadership with a Creative Director and requires close collaboration with a team of interior designers, project management, and other firm-wide departments.

• Tools & Technology: Access to design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office is expected. Familiarity with LG Group's multi-family product standards and vendor partnerships is also relevant.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with design team members, senior leadership, and potentially clients, both in person and virtually.

Work Schedule: A standard workweek is implied (approximately 40 hours), but the hybrid policy and the nature of project-based work in design and development suggest flexibility and a need to adapt to project demands, potentially requiring work outside of traditional hours during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work policy offers a balance, requiring individuals to be adept at managing their time effectively for both independent work and collaborative sessions, whether in person or remotely. The Chicago office location places the role within a vibrant design and business hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment.

2. First Interview: Likely with HR or a hiring manager to discuss overall fit, experience, and salary expectations. Focus on your leadership philosophy and operational approach.

3. Portfolio Review & Case Study: A detailed presentation of your portfolio, highlighting specific projects that demonstrate your design leadership, financial oversight, and project execution capabilities. You may be asked to walk through a specific case study addressing a hypothetical business challenge.

4. Team/Leadership Interview: Meetings with the Creative Director and potentially other key stakeholders or team members to evaluate collaboration style, leadership approach, and cultural fit.

5. Final Interview: With senior leadership (Principals) to discuss strategic alignment, long-term vision, and final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your leadership, financial management, and operational success, not just aesthetic achievements. Include examples across the specified sectors (hospitality, retail, residential, multi-family).

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., profitability improvements, client retention, successful project delivery within budget/timeline, revenue generation).

• Highlight Operational Skills: Explicitly discuss your experience with pipeline management, job costing, budgeting, and team efficiency. Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Leadership: Demonstrate your ability to mentor, delegate, and foster a collaborative team environment.

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentation to tell a compelling narrative about your career progression and your ability to drive business success through design leadership.

Challenge Preparation:

• Financial Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach managing a design department's budget, forecasting revenue, or improving project profitability.

• Team Management Scenarios: Anticipate questions about motivating a team, handling performance issues, or resolving inter-team conflicts.

• Business Development Strategy: Think about how you would identify new client opportunities and expand the firm's design service offerings.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare examples of complex design or operational challenges you've overcome, emphasizing your critical thinking and solution-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the dual nature of this role (Design Director with significant Ops/Finance responsibilities), your portfolio presentation should heavily emphasize your business acumen. Be ready to discuss financial metrics and operational strategies with the same confidence you would discuss design concepts.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD & 3D Modeling: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit (essential for detailed design and documentation).

• Creative Suite: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for visual content creation, presentations, and branding materials.

• Productivity Suite: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for daily operations, reporting, financial analysis, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Financial Analysis Tools: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or similar tools for job costing, financial forecasting, pipeline analysis, and profitability tracking.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with project management tools (specifics not mentioned, but common in the industry) for tracking project timelines, workloads, and deliverables.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Experience with CRM systems for client relationship management, tracking engagement, and identifying business development opportunities.

• Workflow Automation: While not explicitly stated, an understanding of how to optimize workflows and potentially leverage automation within design processes would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in CAD and Adobe Creative Suite is standard for design roles. However, the emphasis on "financial and operational management," "pipeline management," "job costing data," and "profitability" highlights a critical need for strong analytical skills using tools like Microsoft Excel. Candidates who can demonstrate advanced Excel capabilities for financial modeling and reporting will have a distinct advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ingenuity & Teamwork: Core values of LG Group, emphasizing innovative thinking and collaborative effort across all departments.

• Accountability: High degree of accountability for team members, particularly regarding time tracking, job costing, and delivering high-quality work.

• Client-Centricity: A focus on fostering strong client relationships and consistently meeting and exceeding client expectations through excellent design and service.

• Efficiency & Profitability: A drive to optimize processes, improve team efficiency, and ensure the financial health and profitability of the design department.

• Continuous Learning: A commitment to staying updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to maintain expertise.

Collaboration Style:

• Co-Leadership: Working in partnership with the Creative Director to lead the Offshoot Creative team.

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Actively communicates and collaborates with other departments (project management, construction) to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to projects.

• Feedback & Development: Fosters an environment of continuous performance feedback and coaching to support team member growth and accountability.

• Solution-Oriented Dialogue: Encourages problem-solving and open communication to address project challenges effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a blend of creative excellence and robust business operations. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to champion both innovation in design and rigor in financial and operational management, understanding how these two aspects are interconnected for business success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Financial Constraints: Successfully delivering innovative design solutions while strictly adhering to budgets and profitability targets.

• Managing Diverse Project Portfolios: Overseeing multiple projects simultaneously across different sectors, each with unique client needs and operational requirements.

• Integrating External Partners: Effectively coordinating with external design studios (NORR, bKL, etc.) to ensure consistent quality and alignment with LG Group's standards.

• Driving Revenue Growth: Identifying and capitalizing on new revenue streams and expanding Offshoot Creative's service offerings in a competitive market.

• Hybrid Team Management: Leading and motivating a design team effectively in a hybrid work environment, ensuring consistent quality and collaboration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial & Operational Mastery: Deepen expertise in revenue operations, financial forecasting, job costing, and P&L management within a real estate development context.

• Strategic Business Development: Gain experience in identifying and implementing new business strategies and service expansions.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Enhance skills in collaborating with and influencing diverse teams across development, construction, and marketing.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Opportunities for continuing education, attending industry events, and staying at the forefront of design and development trends.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Develop strong leadership and mentorship skills by guiding and growing the interior design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity for a design leader to develop a robust skillset in business operations and financial management. The challenges are directly tied to the growth and strategic positioning of Offshoot Creative within LG Group, offering substantial rewards for those who can navigate them successfully.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a financial forecast and pipeline for the Offshoot Creative department for the next fiscal year, considering current market trends and potential new service offerings?"

• "Describe a time you had to balance a client's ambitious design vision with significant budget limitations. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you ensure consistent quality and brand alignment when working with multiple external design partners and managing internal teams in a hybrid environment?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of LG Group's integrated model, how would you ensure seamless collaboration between the design team and the construction/development divisions?"

• "What are your core principles for building and leading a high-performing, collaborative design team, especially in a hybrid setting?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with an executive summary highlighting your leadership achievements, financial oversight successes, and key operational contributions.

• Quantify Everything: For each project, clearly state your role, the business objectives, the financial parameters, your operational strategies, and the measurable results (e.g., % increase in profitability, client retention rate, project delivery accuracy).

• Demonstrate Operations: Use specific examples to showcase your skills in pipeline management, job costing, budget control, and team efficiency.

• Focus on Leadership: Highlight instances where you mentored team members, delegate effectively, and fostered a positive and productive work environment.

• Tailor to LG Group: Show that you understand LG Group's integrated model and how Offshoot Creative contributes to its overall success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Your interview preparation should heavily lean into demonstrating your understanding of business operations, financial management, and strategic growth, in addition to your design expertise. Be ready to articulate how your leadership drives commercial success for the design department.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting.paylocity.com portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in team leadership, financial management (budgeting, forecasting, job costing), business development, and project execution. Use keywords from the job description, such as "pipeline management," "profitability," "FF&E procurement," and "client relationship management."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your leadership, financial oversight, and operational success. Be prepared to discuss the business impact and financial aspects of your work, not just the design aesthetics.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Anticipate questions or exercises related to financial scenarios, team management, or business development strategies within a design context. Practice articulating your problem-solving approach.

• Research LG Group: Understand their integrated model of development, construction, and design, and how Offshoot Creative fits into their broader strategy. Familiarize yourself with their project portfolio and market presence, particularly in Chicago.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.