Design Director

West Elm sells furniture and home decor including bedding, rugs, lighting, mirrors, frames, baskets, vases, bath accessories, dinnerware + more.

Lead the brand's product development efforts to design and create innovative, functional and stylish furniture items for all channels. Under the guidance of the Vice President, manage part of the furniture design team and lead the furniture product design process. Support the buying group’s design/development needs. Identify key trends, build seasonal concepts, refine design presentations, and ensure all product development deadlines and key calendar dates are met.

• Lead and manage daily functions of the furniture design team.

• Gather market data on key trends and integrate them into seasonal concepts and strategies.

• Through clear understanding of department business needs, guide the PD team and design process.

• Oversee design and development of all items in the relevant product categories, from initial concept through approval.

  • Work with VP to assemble seasonal concepts.

  • Create concept boards.

  • Manage the design process.

  • Review specifications and samples and provide guidance to design associates.

  • Manage weekly product development meetings.

  • Coordinate presentations.

• Drive calendar to ensure all deadlines and key dates are met.

• Manage and develop 3+ associates.

• Determine workload for staff. Recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results.

• Travel as needed to factories and buying shows domestically and internationally.

• Reports to design director.

You..

• Are passionate about design, style, and decorating.

• Love to work collaboratively in a group, and have an innate willingness to dig in and contribute with your team.

• Are a true business owner; comfortable with decision making and calculated risk taking for the benefit of your business.

• Are driven and motivated by the possibilities ahead.

• Think innovation is critical in a business environment and support others in creative thinking.

• Pride yourself on the quality of work and are a stickler for the details.

• Naturally challenge yourself and others to grow

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years professional experience required, 3 years of which were in a managerial role.

• Degree in design or equivalent experience.

• Experience with drafting and ability to quickly review and comment on drawings.

• Knowledge of 3D modeling, and rendering a plus.

• Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Outlook are essential.

• Williams-Sonoma Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Personal Competencies

• Global Business Acumen -- Understand the complexity of business on a global scale. Embrace cultural and individual differences with empathy. Work with the nuances of specific local cultures to make informed decisions.

• Strategic and Analytical Capability -- Ability to think globally, strategically, and objectively. Effectively translates data into actionable insights, strategies and financial plans.

• Leading Teams -- Attracts, develops and motives the talent needed for current and future business requirements. Articulates an inspiring vision for the future, establishes high performance expectations and sets example through own behavior. Ensures alignment of individual goals with overall business objectives. Coaches team members to success and holds individuals accountable for achieving results.

• Drive for Results -- Credibility earned through delivering results. Balances urgent and effective action, commitment to excellence, taking initiative to resolve problems and work quality. Demonstrates high initiative and provides leadership in a project-oriented environment.

• Effective Communication -- Communicates clearly and effectively with associates at all levels, board members, external partners and customers. Strong verbal and written presentation skills including the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple way and to tailor key messages and presentation style to multiple audiences.

• Influence and Collaboration -- Builds and sustains collaborative relationships at multiple levels in the company. Able to work through complex disagreements and conflict to achieve resolution. Builds trust by including others and by keeping the cross-functional teams focused on the success of the entire company.