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

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

This is not a traditional management position. You will be actively designing, problem-solving, coordinating, presenting, reviewing, and helping move projects forward alongside the two co-founders and our network of contractors and collaborators.

The right person is an experienced designer who can confidently take ownership of a project from early concept through installation, while also helping us maintain the organization, rigor, and momentum required to run a thoughtful and growing studio.

You should be comfortable operating independently, making sound decisions, anticipating needs, and knowing when to bring the principals into the conversation.

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

• Design + Technical Execution

  • Lead high-end residential projects through every phase, from concept and design development through documentation, construction, procurement, installation, and final styling

  • Develop design concepts, space plans, finish palettes, furniture plans, and presentations in collaboration with the Studio Trovato principals

  • Produce and review plans, elevations, sections, RCPs, details, schedules, and construction documentation

  • Develop and detail custom millwork, cabinetry, built-ins, and other architectural elements

  • Translate creative concepts into thoughtful, technically sound, and buildable solutions

  • Source furniture, lighting, plumbing, materials, fixtures, finishes, hardware, art, and accessories

  • Maintain a high level of accuracy and consistency across drawings, specifications, schedules, and design deliverables

• Project Leadership

  • Take ownership of assigned projects and help guide clients from kickoff through installation and punch list

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

  • Lead client presentations and communicate design intent clearly and confidently

  • Coordinate closely with architects and contractors throughout construction and respond thoughtfully to field conditions as they arise

  • Review shop drawings, submittals, samples, and RFIs against design intent

  • Attend and lead site meetings, document decisions and follow-ups, and help keep projects moving between meetings

  • Oversee procurement at a high level in partnership with our dedicated procurement expeditor

  • Help plan and lead installations, punch walks, and final styling on site

• Project Management + Studio Operations

  • Establish and manage project scopes, timeline, budgets and design hours, proactively flagging issues before they affect the project

  • Help maintain project timelines and ensure deadlines, meetings, and key milestones stay on track

  • Coordinate internal project meetings, calendars, and follow-ups across the studio and outside collaborators

  • Help maintain organized, accurate, and up-to-date project files and studio systems

  • Review deliverables before they leave the studio to ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency

  • Bring a proactive, problem-solving mindset to the day-to-day running of the studio and identify ways to make our processes more efficient and effective

• Collaboration

  • Work closely with both co-founders on creative direction, project strategy, detailing, and material development

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

  • Work comfortably within a small, highly collaborative studio where everyone contributes beyond a narrowly defined role

  • Provide thoughtful review and guidance to junior designers as the team grows

  • Know when to take ownership independently and when to bring the principals into a decision or conversation

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, 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 remote, but candidates must be based in San Francisco or the greater 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

• 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.