Design Manager

Fluid designs and creates workspaces and is focused on memorable experiences. At Fluid, we’ve created a place where our employees would prefer to work, and we strive to help our customers do the same. Qualified candidates must be a continuous learner, be agile, and adaptable to prove commitment not only to ourselves but also to our customers. We focus on excellent customer, guest, employee, and brand experiences by providing Fluid Level hospitality. We believe genuine people make positive, authentic connections with their peers and customers. We applaud candor, work ethic and integrity, and we value a positive, fun atmosphere. To achieve Fluid Level hospitality, Fluid values hiring people based on our 5 core values. Our core values as are: Genuine - Curious - Creative - Committed - Impactful Responsibilities and Duties: Leadership • Directly manages and leads the Project Designers. • Conducts regular one-on-one meetings, annual performance reviews. • Works closely with the Director of Design to set annual goals for Project Designers. • Approves time off and expense reports and reviews and approves billable design time for direct reports. • Collaborates with Human Resources on employee performance management, employee relations issues, and compliance with employment laws. • Works closely with Human Resources and Director of Design assessing hiring needs and conducting interviews for open design positions. • Assist with messaging executive leadership initiatives in a timely and clear manner to the design team. • Understands the goals of the Director of Design and design team. Designer Onboarding & Training • Leads the development, implementation, and oversight of design application and training programs for Project Designers, delegating training responsibilities to Senior Designers as needed. • Works closely with Human Resources to appropriately onboard Project Designers to ensure a positive employee experience. • Evaluates the skill sets of Project Designers and assigns them to account teams based on project requirements and individual strengths. • Conducts ongoing training for all designers on product application and best practices. • Conducts training on manufacturer courses as needed. Workload Management & Best Practices • Works closely with account teams to understand design support needs. • Manages daily workload and resources for Project Designers to meet project goals, deadlines and redirecting workload if necessary. • Ensures maximum staff productivity through individual check-in meetings, staff schedules, and negotiating deadlines with customers, Account Executives and/or account Managers. • Monitors administrative time for Project Designers to ensure maximum design billing capability. • Monitors design hours for projects and ensures actual time spent on design work is reasonable and within the estimated hours for the project. • Ensures specification checks completed on all projects. • Facilitates continuous quality improvements of design processes to ensure accuracy and productivity. • Manages and engages design outsource (KISP). Guides designers on defining project scope, deliverables and timelines for outsourced support. • Manages Design resources landing page, Teams Channel and knowledge sharing for product application and best practices. Design Internship Program • Continuously develops, improves, and oversees design internship program. • Works closely with Human Resources to appropriately onboard design interns to ensure a positive employee experience. • Ensures design interns gain practical experience in our industry. • Oversees design interns, facilitating their contributions to projects and development of software skills. • Encourages interns to give feedback, bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the workplace. • Identifies future employees, creating a pipeline of skilled and experienced talent. Other Duties • Assists in large strategic design projects as needed. • Contributes to backup workload as needed. • Participates in specification checks with designers as needed. Qualifications and Skills: • Must have 3-5 years of experience overseeing a design department. • Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or equivalent experience. • Ability to communicate effectively, including writing skills. • Self-driven, proactive, and willing to take initiative. • Must demonstrate ownership, accountability, and responsibility. Other Job Requirements: • Must be able to pass a criminal background check • Must be able to lift 10 lbs. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year Benefits: • 401(k) • Dental insurance • Employee assistance program • Flexible schedule • Flexible spending account • Health insurance • Health savings account • Life insurance • Paid time off • Parental leave • Retirement plan • Tuition reimbursement • Vision insurance Schedule: • Monday to Friday Education: • Bachelor's (Required) Ability to Relocate: • Minneapolis, MN 55403: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Minneapolis, MN 55403