Talent.com
Design Director
Design Directordancker • Somerville, NJ, United States
Design Director

Design Director

dancker • Somerville, NJ, United States
4 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Design Director

Department : Design

Reports to : VP of Design

Location : Somerville, NJ Overview

We're looking for a Design Director who is as invested in people as they are in great design. As a key member of our leadership team, you'll shape the vision, performance, and culture of our design organization-ensuring our work drives measurable business results, delivers exceptional experiences for clients, and advances our team's growth and expertise.

This role blends strategy with hands-on mentorship : inspiring team members, elevating design standards, creating operational clarity, and fostering true cross-departmental collaboration. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, loves building highly engaged and high-performing teams, and understands the business value design brings to every stage of the customer journey.What You'll Lead & ImpactLeadership & Team Development

  • Coach, guide, and empower the design team, modeling accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish a strong feedback culture through consistent one-on-ones and ongoing mentoring.
  • Oversee performance management, including proactive support plans and structured development programs when needed.
  • Foster an environment where designers feel challenged, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Onboarding & Talent Growth

  • Design and oversee a structured two-week onboarding experience for new team members.
  • Manage a 12-week development curriculum with measurable milestones to assess training progress.
  • Partner with Design Managers to ensure consistent coaching and onboarding practices across team pods.
  • Continually evaluate team skills and development needs to ensure career paths, learning opportunities, and skill expansion remain front-of-mind.
  • Project & Resource Management

  • Assign work via ZOHO based on validated project scope, product direction, and timeline.
  • Coordinate resources to balance workloads, maximize utilization, and maintain accuracy and timeliness of deliverables.
  • Monitor capacity and proactively address bandwidth challenges before they affect deadlines.
  • Provide high-level oversight and guidance on key strategic projects and complex accounts.
  • Operational Excellence & Quality

  • Drive adherence to internal workflows-task tracking, deadlines, design standards, and closing procedures.
  • Lead problem-solving efforts to remove obstacles and maintain high output standards.
  • Ensure MxT and billable utilization targets (85%+) are consistently met and well managed.
  • Champion process innovation, design thinking, and the adoption of new technologies to improve team performance and the client experience.
  • Cross-Department Collaboration

  • Build strong partnerships with sales, operations, project management, and other internal teams to create seamless, end-to-end client delivery.
  • Reinforce shared accountability, open communication, and enterprise-wide alignment.
  • Support engagement with dancker's Growth Ventures (e.g., DBE, ForBuild, dePloy) as needed for client strategy and project execution.
  • Client-Facing & Business Development Support

  • Partner with sales leadership on strategic accounts, serving as a design expert and trusted advisor.
  • Join key client presentations and planning meetings, advocating for thoughtful design solutions that solve business needs.
  • Elevate the role of design as a strategic differentiator throughout the sales process.
  • Maintain deep expertise in commercial furniture trends, applications, and innovations.
  • Skills & Competencies

  • Mastery of commercial furniture design software including CET, AutoCAD, SketchUp, BlueBeam, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Experience using ZOHO Projects or similar platforms for task and resource management.
  • Strategic thinker who can connect design execution with business strategy.
  • Exceptional communicator and relationship-builder across all levels of the organization.
  • Self-directed, organized, and skilled in managing multiple priorities and designers simultaneously.
  • Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in commercial furniture design, including 5+ years in leadership or management.
  • Proven experience mentoring and developing talent while leading teams and supporting your own project work.
  • Strong understanding of commercial furniture markets and design solutions.

    If you're passionate about developing people, modernizing processes, elevating design excellence, and shaping a team that delivers meaningful client experiences, we'd love to meet you.

    Create a job alert for this search

    Design Director • Somerville, NJ, United States

    Related jobs
    Sales Director

    Sales Director

    Sunrise Senior Living • Basking Ridge, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    When you join Sunrise Senior Living, you will be able to use your unique skills to empower residents to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Not only will you build meaningful relationships wi...Show more
    Last updated: 2 days ago • Promoted
    Sales Director (Basking Ridge)

    Sales Director (Basking Ridge)

    Sunrise Senior Living • Basking Ridge, NJ, US
    Part-time
    When you join Sunrise Senior Living, you will be able to use your unique skills to empower residents to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Not only will you build meaningful relationships wi...Show more
    Last updated: 2 days ago • Promoted
    Director of Innovation, Protein Fortification

    Director of Innovation, Protein Fortification

    Ingredion • Bound Brook, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Ingredion is seeking a Director of Innovation for our Protein Fortification business segment.The Director of Innovation will be part of the Growth Portfolio Team and the Protein Fortification Team....Show more
    Last updated: 4 days ago • Promoted
    Director of Product Marketing

    Director of Product Marketing

    Astrodyne TDI • Hackettstown, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Join our dynamic team as a Product Marketing Manager in the Power Business Unit.Are you passionate about driving growth and innovation in the power electronics sector? Astrodyne TDI is looking for ...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Physical Therapist- Clinic Director

    Physical Therapist- Clinic Director

    SportsCare Physical Therapy • Randolph, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    Job Title : Physical Therapist- Clinic Director.Company : SportsCare Physical Therapy.SportsCare Physical Therapy is a leading provider of physical therapy and rehabilitation services, committed to h...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Director of Major Gifts

    Director of Major Gifts

    Boyden • Randolph, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    This regional nonprofit organization is part of a respected international network dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing solutions for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.The...Show more
    Last updated: 9 days ago • Promoted
    Sr. Director, Strategic Execution

    Sr. Director, Strategic Execution

    Syneos Health / inVentiv Health Commercial LLC • Bridgewater, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced individual to build Strategic Execution team.Within strategic execution, you will serve as a trusted partner to biopharmaceutical clients preparing f...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Director, Global Commercial Strategy, Neuropsychiatry

    Director, Global Commercial Strategy, Neuropsychiatry

    J&J Family of Companies • Raritan, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Director, Global Commercial Strategy, Neuropsychiatry.Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine is currently recruiting for a Director within the Global Commercial Strategy Organization to build commer...Show more
    Last updated: 12 days ago • Promoted
    Director, Data Insights & Innovation

    Director, Data Insights & Innovation

    Ortho Clinical Diagnostics • Raritan, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    QuidelOrtho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world-leading in vitro diagnostics company with award-winning expertise in immunoassay and molecula...Show more
    Last updated: 16 days ago • Promoted
    Associate Team Leader

    Associate Team Leader

    H&R Block • Newton, NJ, US
    Full-time +1
    At H&R Block, we believe in the power of people helping people.Our defining Purpose is to provide help and inspire confidence in our clients, associates, and communities everywhere.We also believe ...Show more
    Last updated: 26 days ago • Promoted
    Director Customer Insights

    Director Customer Insights

    New Jersey Staffing • Trenton, NJ, US
    Full-time
    We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly.Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up committed to tea...Show more
    Last updated: 13 hours ago • Promoted • New!
    Director, Intelligent Automation

    Director, Intelligent Automation

    Maximus • Princeton, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Director, Intelligent Automation.Essential Duties and Responsibilities : .Ensure policies, practices and procedures are understood and followed by direct reports, customers and stakeholders.Responsib...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Director, Omnichannel Strategy & Execution

    Director, Omnichannel Strategy & Execution

    New Jersey Staffing • Bound Brook, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Director, Omnichannel Strategy & Execution.Director, Omnichannel Marketing (HCP & Patient Experience).Reports To : Executive Director, Brand Strategy. The Director, Omnichannel Marketing leads the de...Show more
    Last updated: 13 hours ago • Promoted • New!
    Director of Product Development

    Director of Product Development

    BevSource • Lawrence, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    The Director of Product Development is the primary resource for the Beverage Development Team for people management and development, training and technical needs, and continuous project improvement...Show more
    Last updated: 25 days ago • Promoted
    Director, Data Insights & Innovation

    Director, Data Insights & Innovation

    QuidelOrtho • Raritan, NJ, United States
    Full-time
    QuidelOrtho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world-leading in vitro diagnostics company with award-winning expertise in immunoassay and molecula...Show more
    Last updated: 18 days ago • Promoted
    Advanced Management Partner

    Advanced Management Partner

    Cintas • Ledgewood, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Cintas is seeking an Advanced Management Partner to be trained and prepped for Senior Leadership roles.Each assignment prior to the role of General Manager will be hands-on and designed to teach th...Show more
    Last updated: 30+ days ago • Promoted
    Director of Operations

    Director of Operations

    the ASSURANCE group • Wharton, NJ, United States
    Full-time +1
    Contract Manufacturer currently operating in a 250,000 square foot facility in the Morris County, NJ area is seeking a.Seeking a highly skilled and motivated. Executive Management Team to oversee th...Show more
    Last updated: 9 days ago • Promoted
    Director, Global Sales Product / Platform

    Director, Global Sales Product / Platform

    New Jersey Staffing • Raritan, NJ, US
    Full-time
    Director, Sales Product / Platform.At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything.Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treat...Show more
    Last updated: 13 hours ago • Promoted • New!