Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Consultant Company: First Texas Homes, Inc. Location: Dallas, Texas, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Sales & Design Operations Date Posted: October 13, 2025 Experience Level: 2-5 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in guiding homebuyers through the complex process of personalizing their new homes, focusing on both standard options and upgrade selections to drive revenue and customer satisfaction.
• The Design Consultant will act as a primary liaison, bridging communication gaps between homebuyers, construction teams, subcontractors, sales representatives, and customer care to ensure seamless project execution and adherence to design specifications.
• A significant aspect of this role involves managing the financial and administrative components of option selections, including accurate pricing, paperwork preparation, and meticulous data entry into design specification systems.
• The position demands a strong blend of sales acumen, design expertise, and operational efficiency to meet and exceed company objectives related to revenue, margin, productivity, and customer experience scores.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Consultant," the responsibilities clearly indicate a role deeply embedded in the operational and sales processes of home building. The emphasis on pricing, paperwork, liaison duties, and meeting sales goals positions this as a hybrid role requiring strong GTM (Go-To-Market) and Sales Operations sensibilities, rather than purely creative design. The "BASE + BONUS" salary structure further supports this sales-oriented operational function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Counsel and professionally guide homebuyers through the selection of all standard and upgrade options, ensuring a personalized and positive design experience that aligns with their budget and vision.
• Provide comprehensive product information and detailed upgrade options, translating buyer needs into accurate pricing and preparing necessary documentation for their review and approval.
• Manage the entire option selection lifecycle, ensuring timely and accurate revisions to color selections and addendum options while strictly adhering to established cut-off schedules to maintain construction timelines.
• Serve as the central point of contact for questions and concerns regarding addendums and color selections from construction, customer care, trade partners, and contractors, facilitating swift and effective resolutions.
• Drive revenue and margin by effectively selling upgrade options, contributing directly to the Company's financial objectives and meeting sales incentive targets.
• Ensure the accuracy of all paperwork and schematic drawings for homebuyers, construction departments, and trade partners, meticulously inputting product item numbers into design specification sheets with a high degree of accuracy.
• Proactively communicate any potential delays or issues to the Design Center Manager and relevant team members, enabling timely intervention and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare accurate schematic drawings for concrete, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and flooring change order options, ensuring clear and detailed specifications for the Construction Department.
• Deliver an elevated customer experience throughout the entire home selection and design process, consistently meeting or exceeding company objectives for customer satisfaction and experience scores.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed heavily lean towards process management, stakeholder coordination, and sales execution, which are core tenets of Sales Operations and GTM functions within a builder context. The emphasis on "delivering revenue, margin, productivity, and customer experience standards" directly aligns with operational KPIs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or a closely related field is required.
• Alternatively, equivalent years of relevant professional experience will be considered in lieu of a formal degree, demonstrating a practical understanding of design principles and home building processes.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience within a builder's design center, a retail design center, or a client-facing design role with a demonstrated history of exceptional customer service is mandatory.
• Proven experience in managing client selections, handling revisions, and coordinating with construction or trade partners is essential for success in this role.

Required Skills:

• Customer Service Excellence: Ability to provide an elevated customer experience from start to finish, addressing concerns with professionalism and empathy.
• Sales Acumen & Upselling: Skilled in effectively selling and promoting products and upgrades that enhance both customer satisfaction and company revenue/margin.
• Design Consultation: Professional design experience with a strong focus on guiding homebuyers through complex selection processes for finishes and upgrades.
• Process Management & Coordination: Proven ability to manage option selections, revisions, and act as a liaison between multiple departments (construction, sales, customer care, trade partners).
• Financial Acumen & Pricing: Strong numeric orientation and the ability to accurately calculate pricing for standard and upgrade options, manage budgets, and prepare financial documentation.
• Technical Proficiency: High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe Pro, and internet-based programs.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational and time management abilities to handle multiple client selections, revisions, and deadlines effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience with specific industry software such as Corrigo, Enterprise-One/JD Edwards, ShareFile, DocuSign, Envision, and Hyphen Solutions is highly preferred, indicating familiarity with common builder operations platforms.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in guiding clients and potentially mentoring junior team members.
• Strong interpersonal skills that foster positive relationships with clients, colleagues, and trade partners.
• Experience in schematic drawing for construction-related change orders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like Corrigo, JD Edwards, DocuSign, and Hyphen Solutions indicates a need for candidates who can quickly adapt to established operational systems. These are common in construction and home building GTM/Ops, suggesting candidates with prior exposure will have a significant advantage. The "2 years" experience requirement with a Bachelor's degree requirement is a standard benchmark for a consultant-level role in this sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Client Selection Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you guided clients through complex option selections, highlighting the process from initial consultation to final decision, and demonstrating how you translated client needs into tangible home features.
• Budget Management Examples: Present instances where you successfully managed client budgets, demonstrating your ability to present upgrade options that align with financial constraints while maximizing revenue and perceived value.
• Process Flow Documentation: Include documentation or visual representations of a typical option selection or revision process you have managed, illustrating your understanding of workflow design, adherence to cut-off schedules, and cross-functional coordination.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Document examples where you resolved issues related to color selections, addendums, or change orders, showcasing your problem-solving skills and ability to liaise effectively between construction, sales, and trade partners.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Optimization: Clearly articulate your approach to optimizing the client selection process, focusing on efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience, and how you would implement improvements in a builder design center context.
• System Data Entry & Verification: Detail your experience with inputting and verifying product item numbers and specifications into design software or CRM systems, emphasizing accuracy and adherence to company standards.
• Change Order Management: Provide a framework or example of how you manage the change order process, including preparing schematic drawings and ensuring all necessary parties are informed and approve changes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a traditional "operations portfolio" might not be standard. However, candidates can create a portfolio that acts as a "sales and process playbook." This should include visual examples of design options, sample client worksheets, process flow diagrams for selections/revisions, and case studies demonstrating successful client management and upselling. The emphasis on schematic drawings for change orders suggests a need for visual documentation skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The compensation structure is described as "BASE + BONUS." Based on industry standards for a Design Consultant with 2-5 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Dallas, TX, a typical base salary could range from $50,000 to $70,000 annually.
• The bonus component is likely tied to achieving specific sales goals, margin targets, and customer experience metrics, potentially adding an additional 15-30% to the total compensation.
• Methodology: This estimate is derived from analyzing salary data for similar roles (e.g., Interior Design Consultant, Design Specialist, Sales Consultant in Residential Construction) in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Factors considered include experience level, typical commission/bonus structures in sales-driven roles, and the cost of living in the region.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Access to a 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan, potentially with company matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off (PTO) package, including vacation days, sick leave, and holidays, allowing for work-life balance.
• Employee Discounts: Potential for employee discounts on home purchases or renovations, a common perk in the homebuilding industry.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training and development in design trends, sales techniques, and company systems.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility may be required to accommodate client appointments, showroom hours, and occasional weekend work, especially during peak sales periods or open house events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "BASE + BONUS" structure is a critical indicator of a sales-incentivized role. Candidates should clarify the specific metrics for the bonus, the typical percentage of total compensation derived from bonuses, and the frequency of payout (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually). The estimated salary range reflects typical compensation for this role in a competitive market like Dallas.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Residential Home Construction. First Texas Homes operates within a highly competitive market, focusing on providing value and customization to homebuyers. This industry demands efficiency, strong project management, and excellent customer engagement. Company Size: First Texas Homes appears to be a significant regional builder, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand individuals. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes but also potential for direct impact and visibility for individual contributors. Founded: First Texas Homes was founded in 1970. This long history indicates stability, deep market knowledge, and a well-established reputation within the Texas homebuilding sector.

Team Structure:

• The Design Consultant likely reports to a Design Center Manager or a Sales Manager overseeing design operations.
• The role involves close collaboration with Sales Consultants, Construction Managers, Warranty/Customer Care teams, and various trade partners (subcontractors) responsible for executing selections.
• The team structure emphasizes cross-functional interdependence, where the success of the Design Consultant directly impacts the sales pipeline and the construction schedule.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Selections: While creative, the process relies on structured data for pricing, inventory management, and tracking customer preferences.
• Process Standardization: The company likely employs standardized workflows for option selection, change order management, and communication protocols to ensure consistency and efficiency across all builds.
• Customer-Centric Approach: A core methodology involves prioritizing the homebuyer's experience, translating their vision into a tangible product while managing expectations and operational constraints.

Company Website: https://www.firsttexashomes.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's founding in 1970 and its status as a prominent Texas builder suggest a company with established operational procedures and a strong understanding of the local market. The role's success will hinge on navigating these established processes and collaborating effectively within a potentially matrixed team structure common in large construction firms.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is typically considered an intermediate-level position, often referred to as a "Consultant" or "Specialist" level. It requires a foundation of industry knowledge and customer-facing experience, with a focus on execution rather than strategic planning. Reporting Structure: The Design Consultant will report to a Design Center Manager or a Sales Manager. They will work closely with Sales Consultants, Construction Managers, and potentially Customer Care specialists, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on both revenue and customer satisfaction. By effectively guiding buyers through upgrade selections, the Design Consultant influences the total sales price (revenue and margin) of each home. Furthermore, a positive design experience is critical for customer satisfaction, influencing post-sale feedback, referrals, and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Consultant/Lead Designer: Progression to a more senior role, handling more complex projects, mentoring junior consultants, or specializing in high-end options.
• Design Center Management: Opportunity to move into a management role, overseeing the operations of a design center, managing staff, and setting performance targets.
• Sales Management: Leveraging design and sales expertise to transition into a Sales Consultant role with higher earning potential or into Sales Management.
• Product Development/Selection: Potential to contribute to the selection and curation of standard and upgrade options offered by the company, influencing the product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Design Consultant in homebuilding often branches into sales, management, or specialized design roles. The emphasis on "revenue, margin, productivity, and customer experience standards" suggests that performance in this role is measured against operational and sales KPIs, which are crucial for advancement into management or higher-impact sales positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work environment will be a dedicated Design Center showroom. This space is designed to be customer-facing, featuring displays of various materials, finishes, and upgrade options. Office Location(s): The role is based in Dallas, Texas. Specific office locations may vary depending on the company's Design Center network within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Workspace Context:

• The workspace involves a combination of client interaction within the showroom and administrative tasks at a desk or workstation.
• Access to sample materials, product catalogs, and computer systems for specification entry and pricing is crucial.
• The environment is expected to be collaborative, with frequent interaction with sales teams, construction liaisons, and potentially trade partners visiting the center.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours/week) is expected.
• Given the customer-facing nature of the role, flexibility may be required, including potential weekend hours or extended weekday appointments to accommodate homebuyer availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working in a Design Center means balancing the consultative, sales-driven aspect with the operational necessity of accurate data entry and process adherence. The environment is typically fast-paced, requiring candidates to manage multiple client interactions and administrative tasks simultaneously.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A phone or video call with an HR representative or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• In-Depth Interview: A one-on-one or panel interview with the hiring manager and potentially senior sales or design staff. This will focus on your design consultation approach, sales experience, problem-solving skills, and understanding of the homebuilding process.
• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing their design work, client consultation examples, and process management skills.
• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study may be administered to evaluate your ability to handle typical design selection scenarios, pricing, or problem-solving situations. This might involve a mock client consultation.
• Final Interview: Potentially a meeting with a higher-level manager (e.g., Director of Sales or Operations) for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Client Journey: Detail your process for guiding a homebuyer from initial consultation to final selections, emphasizing your consultative approach and ability to manage expectations.
• Highlight Upselling Success: Include examples where your recommendations led to successful upgrade sales, quantifying the revenue impact if possible.
• Demonstrate Process Efficiency: Present visual aids or descriptions of how you manage selections, revisions, and change orders efficiently and accurately. Use flowcharts or process maps if applicable.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate your impact. This could include average upgrade revenue per home, customer satisfaction scores, or adherence to deadlines.
• Tailor to First Texas Homes: Research their current offerings, design styles, and target demographics to tailor your presentation and highlight how your skills align with their brand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Mock Client Consultation: Be prepared to conduct a simulated consultation, selecting options for a hypothetical homebuyer with a given budget and preferences.
• Pricing & Paperwork Exercise: You might be given a scenario to price out a set of options and prepare the necessary documentation, demonstrating your attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle difficult clients, unexpected construction delays affecting selections, or budget overruns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio for this role should be less about pure aesthetic design and more about demonstrating a consultative sales process, operational efficiency in managing selections, and the ability to drive revenue through upgrades. Case studies that quantify impact (revenue, customer satisfaction) will be highly valued.

🛠️ Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite: High proficiency in Word (documentation), Excel (pricing, data analysis, budgeting), PowerPoint (client presentations), and Outlook (communication, scheduling).
• Adobe Pro: For creating and managing design specification documents, proposals, and potentially schematic drawings.
• Design Specification Software: Likely a proprietary or industry-specific system for inputting and tracking product item numbers, selections, and pricing. Examples like Envision or similar builder-specific CRM/design tools are probable.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: For basic data analysis, tracking sales performance against goals, and generating simple reports.
• Company-Specific CRM/Sales Tools: To track client interactions, sales pipeline, and option selections.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): While not explicitly detailed as a primary tool, a CRM system would be essential for managing client information, communication history, and sales progress.
• DocuSign or Similar E-signature Platforms: For preparing and obtaining buyer approvals on contracts and addendums electronically.
• ShareFile or Cloud Storage: For secure document sharing with clients, construction teams, and trade partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: Familiarity with builder-specific software like Envision, Corrigo, or Hyphen Solutions is a significant plus. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency with standard office software and their ability to quickly learn new proprietary systems. The mention of DocuSign and ShareFile points to a need for digital document management skills.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing the homebuyer's experience and satisfaction throughout the design and selection process.
• Integrity & Accuracy: Ensuring all pricing, paperwork, and specifications are meticulously accurate to avoid errors in construction and billing.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with internal teams (sales, construction, customer care) and external partners (subcontractors) to achieve shared goals.
• Efficiency & Productivity: Streamlining processes for option selection and change order management to meet deadlines and company objectives.
• Sales Excellence: A drive to meet and exceed sales goals and revenue targets through effective consultation and upselling.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with sales to understand buyer profiles and with construction to ensure selections are feasible and timely.
• Proactive Communication: A culture of proactive communication is essential to anticipate and address potential issues before they impact the customer or project timeline.
• Team Support: Contributing to a positive team environment by sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and working towards collective success in meeting company-wide objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values likely emphasize customer satisfaction, quality craftsmanship, and operational efficiency, all critical in the homebuilding industry. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of how their role contributes to these broader company objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Buyer Expectations: Balancing a homebuyer's desires with budget constraints, available options, and construction timelines can be challenging.
• Navigating Change Orders: The process of managing change orders can be complex, requiring meticulous documentation, clear communication, and coordination across multiple parties.
• Adhering to Strict Cut-off Schedules: Missing deadlines for selections or revisions can significantly impact construction schedules and incur costs.
• Keeping Pace with Product Offerings: Staying up-to-date on all standard and upgrade options, pricing, and their implications for construction.
• Balancing Sales & Service: Effectively transitioning between a sales-driven approach to upselling and a service-oriented approach to problem-solving and consultation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Knowledge Expansion: Deepening expertise in building materials, finishes, and interior design trends relevant to new home construction.
• Sales & Negotiation Skills: Enhancing consultative selling techniques and negotiation strategies to maximize upgrade revenue.
• System Proficiency: Mastering the use of builder-specific design and CRM software for increased efficiency and accuracy.
• Construction Process Understanding: Gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the home building lifecycle and how design selections integrate with construction phases.
• Customer Experience Best Practices: Learning and applying advanced techniques for delivering exceptional customer service in a high-stakes purchase environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role demand strong organizational skills, excellent communication, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Growth opportunities are directly tied to mastering these challenges and expanding expertise in sales, design, and operational processes within the homebuilding sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for guiding a homebuyer through option selections, from initial consultation to final sign-off. How do you balance their desires with budget and feasibility?" (Focus on process, client management, and problem-solving.)
• "How do you approach upselling upgrades? Can you provide an example of a time you successfully increased the value of a client's selection while ensuring their satisfaction?" (Focus on sales skills, revenue generation, and customer satisfaction.)
• "Imagine a client wants a significant change order that will delay construction. How would you handle this situation with the client, the construction team, and management?" (Focus on change order management, communication, and conflict resolution.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about First Texas Homes, and why are you interested in working for us specifically?" (Research the company's history, values, and market position.)
• "How do you define excellent customer service in the context of home building design selection?" (Align your definition with the company's customer-centric values.)
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you collaborate with sales and construction departments." (Highlight your teamwork and cross-functional collaboration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by client type or project phase. Start with an overview of your design philosophy and process.
• Quantify Impact: Use numbers to show your achievements – average revenue per client, sales conversion rates for upgrades, customer satisfaction scores.
• Visuals: Include high-quality images of design options, mood boards, or sample selection sheets. Show examples of schematic drawings if you have them.
• Process Focus: Clearly explain the steps you take in each scenario, emphasizing efficiency, accuracy, and customer engagement.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work within a set timeframe, focusing on relevance to the Design Consultant role at First Texas Homes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a candidate who is not only creative but also operationally sound, sales-driven, and customer-focused. Demonstrating an understanding of the homebuilding lifecycle and the financial implications of design choices will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the First Texas Homes careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a portfolio that specifically highlights your experience in client-facing design consultation, option selection management, and successful upselling of upgrades. Include case studies demonstrating your ability to manage budgets, resolve issues, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "Design Consultant," "homebuyers," "option selections," "upgrades," "pricing," "change orders," "customer service," and specific software proficiencies (Microsoft Office, Adobe Pro). Quantify your achievements with metrics whenever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice answering behavioral and situational interview questions related to sales, customer service, problem-solving, and process management. Prepare to walk through your portfolio and articulate your design process and sales approach.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research First Texas Homes, including their mission, values, current projects, and design aesthetics. Understand their position in the Dallas-Fort Worth market and be prepared to discuss why you are a good fit for their specific culture and operational needs.

⚠️ 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.

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