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S E N I O R L E A D D E S I G N E R

We are looking for a Senior Lead Designer to join Studio Trovato in a hands-on role across design, project leadership, construction administration, and studio operations.

You’ll work closely with the two co-founders, helping lead projects from concept through installation while coordinating with clients, contractors, and collaborators.

We’re looking for an experienced designer who can take ownership, make confident decisions, stay organized, and keep projects moving.

R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

  • Design + Project Leadership

    • Lead residential projects from concept through installation, in close collaboration with the principals

    • Develop design concepts, space plans, finish palettes, furniture plans, custom details, and client presentations

    • Produce and review drawings, schedules, specifications, and construction documentation

    • Source and specify furniture, lighting, plumbing, finishes, hardware, art, and accessories

    • Serve as a key day-to-day contact for clients, architects, contractors, consultants, fabricators, and vendors

    • Lead client presentations, site meetings, and construction coordination while helping resolve field conditions and maintain design intent

    • Review shop drawings, submittals, samples, and RFIs as needed

    • Help oversee procurement, installation, punch walks, and final styling

  • Project Management + Studio Operations

    • Manage project scopes, timelines, budgets, design hours, deadlines, and key milestones

    • Keep project information, files, schedules, and follow-ups organized and up to date

    • Review deliverables for accuracy, consistency, and overall quality

    • Anticipate issues, communicate proactively, and help keep projects moving

    • Identify opportunities to improve studio processes and day-to-day efficiency

  • Collaboration

    • Work closely with both principals on creative direction, project strategy, detailing, and material development

    • Collaborate with designers, drafters, procurement support, consultants, and other project partners

    • Provide guidance to junior team members as the studio grows

    • Work independently when appropriate while knowing when to bring the principals into key decisions

S K I L L S  +  Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S

  • 7+ years of professional interior design experience, with a strong background in high-end residential design; hospitality or boutique commercial experience is a plus

  • Demonstrated experience independently leading complex residential projects from design through construction and installation

  • Strong construction knowledge, including construction administration and the preparation and review of construction documents

  • Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and strong proficiency in SketchUp and/or rendering tools; familiarity with AI tools that support design, visualization, research, and studio operations

  • Proficiency in Google Workspace, Canva, and Studio Designer

  • Strong sourcing knowledge across furniture, lighting, materials, fixtures, soft goods, and finishes

  • Solid understanding of project budgeting, scope management, scheduling, and time tracking

  • Confident working directly with clients, architects, GCs, consultants, and vendors, with strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining strong design judgment

  • Degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field preferred, though equivalent professional experience is welcome

  • Hand sketching ability is a plus

W H O Y O U A R E

You have a high sense of ownership and take pride in seeing things through.

You are proactive, responsible, mature, and resourceful. When something comes up, your instinct is to understand the problem, think through the options, and help move toward a solution.

You are calm under pressure, highly organized, and responsive. You communicate clearly and follow through without needing constant oversight.

You are confident enough to lead, but collaborative and have a low ego in how you work. You enjoy being part of a small team where roles overlap, everyone pitches in, and a good sense of humor goes a long way.

You care equally about the big design idea and the details required to execute it well.

S C H E D U L E & L O C A T I O N

Location: San Francisco / Bay Area

Schedule: Part-time, Contract-to-Hire. Approximately 25 hours/week to start

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience

Potential: Opportunity to transition into an employee salary role and grow into full-time based on mutual fit and studio needs

This position will begin as a part-time independent contractor role at approximately 25 hours per week.

The schedule can be flexible, but you must be reliably responsive during standard business hours and able to accommodate client meetings, team meetings, and site visits as projects require.

The role is primarily work-from-home, but candidates must be based in San Francisco or the Bay Area and available for regular in-person meetings and project site visits.

There is potential for this role to transition into an employee position and grow into full-time based on mutual fit, studio needs, and project workload.

T O A P P L Y

Please send:

  • Resume to design@studio-trovato.com

  • Portfolio highlighting completed high-end residential work

  • Examples that demonstrate your design process, technical capabilities, and individual role on projects

  • A brief introduction telling us a little about yourself and why Studio Trovato feels like a fit

References will be requested later in the interview process.