Head of Design

• Location:
  
  Fenton, MO office, St. Louis-area job sites, and homeowners' homes

• Position:
  Head of Design
• Department:
  Design
• Reports to:
  
  VP of Design & Construction
• Direct reports:
  Interior Designers
• Location:
  
  Fenton, MO office, St. Louis-area job sites, and homeowners' homes
• Type:
  Full-time, salaried (exempt)

The Head of Design owns the complete design experience at company, from initial homeowner discovery to final walkthrough. This leader sets creative direction, manages and develops the design team, and ensures every design is buildable, on budget, and on schedule for high-end custom homes starting at $750K.

As MCH grows, we need a visionary operator to elevate design standards, establish repeatable SOPs for selections, and lead homeowners through timely decisions so the design pipeline keeps moving without delays.

• Manage, mentor, and develop Interior Designers through regular reviews and Goal Setting Reviews (GSRs).
• Establish and enforce MCH design standards across all projects to ensure consistent quality.
• Assign project workloads, recruit new talent, and lead high-stakes homeowner interactions.

• Guide homeowners through discovery, concepts, selections, and final specifications.
• Create mood boards, material palettes, renderings, and technical plans in Chief Architect.
• Lead selection meetings, establish firm decision deadlines, and drive selections to closure.
• Conduct site visits with Project Managers and homeowners to verify constructability.

• Keep all selections within approved budgets, obtain vendor quotes, and flag lead-time risks early.
• Issue change orders with cost/schedule impacts prior to work proceeding.
• Ensure design deliverables and material handoffs match the production schedule.

• Own the Chief Architect and Builder Trend software ecosystem for selection tracking and design records.
• Build and maintain design SOPs, including QA checklists and selection binder standards.
• Collaborate with architects on redline plans and coordinate installation details with trades.

• 5+ years in high-end residential custom homes or major renovations.
• 2+ years managing or mentoring interior designers.
• Advanced proficiency in Chief Architect (renderings & documentation).
• Working proficiency in Builder Trend (or equivalent construction management software).
• Solid understanding of cabinetry, millwork, finish carpentry, and construction sequencing.
• Portfolio showcasing both high-end aesthetic range and technical documentation.

• Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, or Architecture.
• NCIDQ or NKBA (CKD/CMKBD) credentials.
• Experience serving high-net-worth homeowners and building design SOPs.

• Design Accuracy: 99% (final specs match approved plans)
• On-Time Deliverables: 90%+ by schedule milestone
• Budget Adherence: 95%+ selections within approved budget
• Homeowner Satisfaction: 4.5 / 5 average post-design rating

• Competitive base salary + performance bonuses
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match (up to 3%)
• Paid vacation, holidays, company computer, tablet, and tech tools
• Professional development support and continuing education