Design Manager Job at The Manner in New York

Position Description

Position: Design Manager

As The Manner Design Manager, you will work in partnership with our Managing Director, Senior Executive team, and Corporate Design team in New York to deliver a diverse range of Interior Design and Creative initiatives for the property. The Manner SoHo is our flagship property for this new Lifestyle Brand, and you will have full responsibility for maintaining the staging of all public areas and outlets, guest rooms, suites, and special events, maintaining all finishing touches and Design elements that are in place, and maintaining our brand design ethos. It is important that the design resonates with the local SoHo, NYC market and our brand DNA.

The ideal candidate has a background in and passion for hospitality, working with the team to deliver a detail and service-oriented experience at the property.

The Design Manager is hands on, implementing brand guidelines, overseeing important projects, and problem-solving operational needs that tie back to structural design, FF&E and OS&E, while ensuring Design concepts and interior schemes adhere to plan, timeline, and budget. On a day-to-day basis, you will support the Hotel, Restaurants and Bars with approved scopes of work, requests for proposals, project schedules related to renovation and FF&E projects and be the point of contact for all hotel design projects. You’ll work closely with our senior Engineering teams to assist departments in overseeing and ensuring the accurate production of bid/construction sets and that the documents are completed in a timely manner, including needed permits, and that design and construction documents meet all requirements. Once project plans are approved you will coordinate orders and delivery with vendors and suppliers to ensure the seamless delivery of the project so there is minimal impact to the Hotel operation.

An important part of your role is the continual upkeep of the overall Design ethos of all guest spaces with regard to furniture layouts and room set-ups to ensure this remains consistent and that all colleagues are familiar with the specific design concepts and staging related to their areas so that daily checks are conducted by the team to review the set-up of all restaurants, bars and public areas to ensure that they are set to standard and that any special seasonal themes or activations are in place.

You’ll take ownership of all seasonal activations, such as holiday and New Year through the design and proposal of various schemes to the GM so that these are agreed in advance and are planned accordingly within realistic timeframes via an annual calendar. In conjunction with the Events Manager and Marketing, undertake, design and stage all aspects of any key special events requirements on the behalf of clients and guests to apply bespoke ‘Finishing touches’ to guest events.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Principle Responsibilities

• Responsible for assisting the Regional Design Manager with design development, processing and follow through of all FF&E, remodel, repair and maintenance projects.
• Interact with departments and vendors to ensure all requests are being completed satisfactorily and in a timely manner.
• Coordinate all approved projects with selected departments and vendors. Ensure that all necessary communications are handled in a proactive and professional manner.
• Assist departments with the preparation of scopes of work, requests for proposals, project schedules related to renovation and FF&E projects.
• Assist departments in overseeing and ensuring the accurate production of bid/construction sets and that the documents are completed in a timely manner, including needed permits, ensuring that design and construction documents meet all requirements.
• Review all bids, proposals and invoices to ensure proper budget and payment.
• Work with Regional Design Manager on design requests and projects that require approval of FF&E funds.
• Assist Regional Design Manager in ensuring that all information necessary to prepare and distribute the project documents has been assimilated and that the documents are distributed accurately and on time with construction schedules and timelines.
• Assist in ensuring that clear and accurate reporting of active, pending and completed projects is maintained and understood within the team and that all departments are kept abreast of their related projects on an ongoing basis including punch lists.

Creative & Brand DNA

• Act as our brand ambassador by ensuring all design and creative interior elements throughout the hotel are reflective of our brand values, DNA and identity.
• Assume overall responsibility for overseeing the final staging of all guest rooms, suites and public areas, ensuring all ‘finishing touches’ (including any floral/planting schemes, fragrances, lighting and occasional objects such as books, vases, sculptures) are placed and are in line with design concepts for each area and on brand.
• Maintain the overall design ethos of all public spaces with regard to furniture layouts, room set ups to ensure this remains consistent and that all colleagues are familiar with the specific design concepts related to their areas, via look books.
• Undertake daily walk rounds to inspect the staging of all restaurants, bars and entertainment outlets to ensure that they are set to standard and that any special themes are in place, reporting any defects, damaged or missing items to the engineering team via proper channels/systems.
• Train and coach colleagues in design concepts, including the use any seasonal design elements such as holiday themes so that they are aware of any specific staging requirements in their areas.
• Take ownership of all seasonal set ups, such as Christmas or Easter, if applicable for property, through the design and proposition of various schemes to the Regional Design Manager & Managing Director so that these are agreed in advance and are planned accordingly within realistic timeframes and FF&E budget.
• In conjunction with the Events and Marketing teams, support any design requests for special events and ensure these align to brand standards.
• Work closely with the Director of Marketing & Culture to support and coordinate any special staging or creative requirements for photo shoots or filming in the hotel, ensuring areas are inspected prior to shoots taking place. Provide support and guidance to line managers on the production of ad hoc creative schemes, amenities or promotions to ensure brand guidelines are followed and consistent.
• Implement all Creative and Design Policies & Procedures on behalf of the hotel, ensuring these are cascaded down to the relevant teams within the business. In conjunction with the Director of Marketing maintain and develop a directory of design language to communicate the architectural concepts and ethos across the business and within external communications.
• In conjunction with our uniform providers, department managers and HR team assist in the management of colleague styling to ensure uniforms are worn properly and grooming standards are adhered to throughout the business. Develop styling guides and look books for non-uniformed employees to ensure that colleagues reflect The Manner brand, whilst retaining their own individual style and personality.
• Act as a role model by providing strong leadership and direction to the wider hotel and Leadership team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment that embodies our ethos.
• Work in partnership with the Hotel Leadership team to support goals (KPIs) and objectives for hotel performance.
• Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and dedication; whilst displaying a passionate, fun, and enthusiastic approach to work in order to inspire and motivate junior members of the team, creating an enjoyable, cohesive, and supportive working environment.
• Promote a culture of teamwork and collaboration among the team, ensuring that communication throughout the property remains effective from daily briefings to regular team, department, and management meetings to encourage inter department support, creative thinking and ensure production and service standards are maintained throughout the hotel.

Required Skills And Qualifications

A minimum of 5-7 years of experience related experience in interior design, architecture, construction or project management or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must include experience managing renovations and/or construction projects in the New York tri-state area.

In addition to this, the ideal candidate will also…

• Have a good understanding of the New York City Hotel market along with current design trends
• Some knowledge of New York City building, construction and engineering codes
• Be familiar with local suppliers, designers and partners in arts, fashion and cultural events
• Be a confident and proactive self-starter with strong project management skills and ability to work independently
• Hotel experience is an advantage but not necessary
• Be experienced of producing a design proposals, costings and plans, combined with strong negotiating skills
• Monthly reports for both Corporate Office & Private Ownership.
• Exceptional attention to detail across various design styles with strong Administration and IT skills including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Procore, Rhino or Sketch-Up a Plus

Minimum: USD $85,000.00/Hr.

Maximum: USD $100,000.00/Hr.

Source: Hospitality Online