Manager, Design & Architecture

Role Summary

The Options Manager leads the development, management, and continuous evolution of Blue Heron’s company‑wide options program across all product types. Working in partnership with Architecture, Interior Design, Estimating, Purchasing, Marketing, and Sales, the role ensures that all offered options are aligned with client preferences, true to Blue Heron’s brand and design integrity, supportive of profitability and operational efficiency, and positioned for future market needs as the company grows.

• Lead the vision, structure, and ongoing evolution of Blue Heron’s options program across all product lines.
• Develop and maintain an options roadmap that supports company strategies, brand standards, and margin goals.
• Serve as key voice in options catalog decisions, stewarding inclusion, evolution, or retirement.
• Ensure cohesive, modern, on‑brand options.
• Partner with Architecture and Interior Design to support design intent.
• Collaborate with Estimating and Purchasing for feasibility, cost accuracy, lead times, and supply chain reliability.
• Work with Sales and Design Studio/Client Experience teams to present compelling offerings.
• Facilitate feedback loops across teams to refine catalog.
• Own interior finish options catalog (flooring, tile, counters, cabinetry, fixtures).
• Establish and maintain standards, naming conventions, and option levels.
• Oversee lifecycle management of options.
• Build and maintain robust analytics around option take rates, profitability, pricing sensitivity, and trends.
• Translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Regularly review option performance for improvement opportunities.
• Research design trends, materials, and technologies.
• Benchmark competitors.
• Pilot new concepts and option offerings.
• Support implementation and optimization of systems.
• Maintain documentation and training materials.
• Create efficient processes for option creation, approval, maintenance, and communication.

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5–8+ years of experience in one or more of the following: home builder options management / design center management; interior design with a focus on product standards & finishes; purchasing/estimating in residential construction; experience in luxury or high‑end residential construction and design.
• Strong understanding of residential construction, interior finishes, and architectural components.
• Comfortable working with estimating, ERP, or configuration tools; strong Excel/Smartsheet skills.
• Proven ability to interpret and act on data (take rates, margins, cost trends).
• Ability to read and understand architectural and interior design drawings/specifications.

• Options take rates and margins.
• Days to sign off for Community Homes.
• Identification of EPOs.
• A cohesive, modern, on‑brand options suite that is easy for clients and internal teams to use.
• Improved option take rates and margins with clear analytics and insights shared with leadership.
• Strong feedback from Architecture, Interior Design, Estimating, Purchasing, and Sales regarding collaboration and clarity.
• Demonstrated innovation in offerings and processes supporting Blue Heron’s growth and industry reputation.