Design Department Leader

Design Department Leader

Overview 
The Residential Home Design Leader will oversee and grow Bliffert’s Residential Design Department, ensuring a best-in-class customer experience and operational efficiency. This individual will serve as the primary liaison between homeowners, builders, and Bliffert, leading the design intake process, coordinating the team of designers, and managing customer expectations and payments. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

• Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of the design team. 

• Serve as the first point of contact for all residential home design inquiries. 

• Conduct consultations to qualify clients and establish budgets. 

• Review and process customer intake forms and credit applications. 

• Lead client meetings (virtual or in-person) to gather design goals and fill in any planning gaps. 

• Maintain and manage the active design project log and assign projects to team designers. 

• Track designer hours for billing and send invoices for site visits and extra revisions. 

• Approve final plans and oversee delivery of prints and digital files. 

• Promote internal material sales (lumber, windows, trusses, etc.) and track full-package eligibility for design fee refunds. 

• Recruit, hire, and coach new design team members. 

• Evaluate customer satisfaction and adjust team workflows as needed. 

• Conduct performance reviews and counsel designers to support professional growth and accountability. 

Qualifications 

• 5 years in residential home design, CAD, SoftPlan, chief architect, or Revit 

• Strong communication and leadership skills 

• Proven ability to manage multiple customer relationships and project timelines 

• Compliant in residential building codes and Wisconsin UDC 

• Familiarity with estimating processes and construction methods