Lead Designer

Spyglass Talent Solutions, a retained recruitment firm, has been engaged by a confidential client to conduct a search for a Lead Designer to support its growing residential construction operations in the Fuquay-Varina area. Our client is a custom home builder based in the Triangle area that is dedicated to crafting exceptional homes across central and eastern North Carolina, including Lake Gaston and the coast. With a commitment to comprehensive project management, the company offers a full spectrum of services tailored to meet every client's unique needs. The Lead Designer is responsible for overseeing all design and selections for spec and custom homes. This role bridges the gap between creative vision and execution, ensuring that every home reflects the company's design standards, market positioning, and buyer preferences. The Lead Designer works closely with the Construction Team and New Home Sales Manager to deliver cohesive, high-quality homes that align with project goals and client expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all design and finish selections for spec homes from concept through completion, including creating cohesive vision and mood boards to guide selections and marketing.
• Lead the full selections process for custom homes from initial client consultation through final installation, guiding clients through finishes and products while balancing aesthetics, function, and budget.
• Direct remaining design decisions on spec homes that go under contract before completion; lead buyer selection meetings and ensure all approved choices are accurately documented and communicated to the team.
• Choose finishes, fixtures, and materials that align with the company's design standards and buyer demographics; maintain preferred product and vendor lists to ensure consistency and keep selections fresh and trend-forward.
• Ensure seamless handoff of design decisions to the Construction Team by maintaining accurate, timely documentation of all selections and specifications in Buildertrend or other designated software.
• Conduct on-site meetings with Project Managers to verify that design specifications are being accurately executed in the field; manage client change requests and updates throughout the build process.
• Partner with the Construction Team and New Home Sales Manager to align design packages with marketing goals, community identity, and buyer profiles; support marketing materials with photos, renderings, and design highlights.
• Maintain organized records of selections, pricing, and design files; update and refine finish packages, preferred vendor lists, and standard options on an ongoing basis.
• Evaluate new products and trends on an ongoing basis to ensure the company's homes remain competitive and current within the Triangle market.

Skills and Experience:

• Formal interior design education or experience preferred; builder design center or selections experience also highly valued.
• Strong awareness of current design trends and the ability to guide buyers through a showroom environment with confidence and decisiveness.
• Budget-conscious mindset; ability to balance design intent with project cost parameters and steer clients toward practical, on-budget decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; personable and client-focused with the ability to build trust with buyers, vendors, and internal team members.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple active projects and selection schedules simultaneously without letting items fall through the cracks.
• A portfolio or examples of prior design work - residential selections packages, mood boards, renderings, or styled spaces - encouraged as part of the candidate presentation.
• Proficiency in Buildertrend or similar construction PM software preferred; familiarity with Canva or other design tools a plus.
• Experience with SketchUp, CAD, rendering software, or other residential design visualization tools strongly preferred.
• Ability to create visual presentations, conceptual room layouts, elevations, mood boards, and material palettes preferred.
• Interest or experience in furnishings, styling, and full-home design presentation is a plus.
• Must be available Monday through Friday during normal business hours to respond to questions, provide direction, and support the Construction and Sales teams in real time.
• This position will be a hybrid working environment, including working from home, job sites, vendor showrooms, and the office as project needs require.
• Occasional evenings or weekends may be required for client meetings, design reviews, or project deadlines.

Pay:

$55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Work Location:

In person