PROJECT MANAGER / DESIGNER

PROJECT MANAGER / DESIGNER

Job Description

Employment Type

Full-Time

Primary Focus

Project Management (~70%) | Design Support (~30%)

Software

Configura CET, 2020 Giza, Microsoft Office Suite

Travel

Primarily local within ~2-hour radius; overnight travel rare

Target Start Date

June 2026

Position Overview

We are seeking a technically minded Project Manager / Designer to join our team at Esplanade Office. This position is responsible for managing furniture projects from sale through delivery, while also providing design and specification support across the broader team. The ideal candidate brings a foundation in a technical field — whether design, drafting, engineering, architecture, construction, or a related discipline — and is comfortable owning client relationships, coordinating with manufacturers, and contributing to furniture selection, space planning, and finish specification when needed.

Project management is the primary responsibility of this role. Design and specification support is a meaningful but secondary function, stepped into as project schedules and team needs allow. This position reports directly to the Owner and plays a key role in how clients experience our company.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management (approx. 70% of time)

•      Serve as the primary client contact from project kickoff through final delivery and installation

•      Conduct site surveys and field measurements prior to quoting, before orders are placed, and before installation begins — as each project requires

•      Periodically check in on active installations and remain available to support the install team as needed

•      Coordinate with furniture manufacturers on lead times, order status, product specifications, and pricing — including obtaining and verifying accurate pricing during the quoting and specification process

•      Prepare and manage quotes and product specifications independently; support the team on larger or more complex proposals

•      Track project timelines and proactively communicate updates to clients throughout the process

•      Resolve discrepancies and issues during delivery and installation in coordination with clients, vendors, and installers

•      Maintain thorough project documentation and records from kickoff through closeout

Design & Specification Support (approx. 30% of time)

•      Develop space plans and furniture layouts in Configura CET for your own projects and in support of other PMs and sales team members as needed

•      Specify furniture products, finishes, and fabrics based on project requirements, client preferences, and available product lines

•      Assist colleagues with furniture selection and finish selection on projects across the team — bringing a design eye to projects where a PM may need a second opinion

•      Prepare client-facing design deliverables including floor plans, finish boards, and specification documents

•      Ensure specifications are accurate, aligned with budget, and installation-ready

•      Support quote generation by providing detailed product specs and verifying accuracy

•      Lead showroom planning and take ownership of finish library upkeep and design standards

What We're Looking For

Required

•      Technical background in a relevant field: design, drafting, interior architecture, engineering, construction, or similar

•      Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

•      Excellent written and verbal communication — comfortable with clients, manufacturers, and internal team members

•      Detail-oriented, with a proactive and problem-solving mindset

•      Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local site visits within approximately a 2-hour radius. Most sites are local to the Chico/Oroville area

•      Comfort working with technical software; experience in CAD, drafting, or other space planning tools is a strong foundation — we can train the right person on CET

Preferred (Not Required)

•      Proficiency in Configura CET or similar space planning/furniture configuration software

•      Prior experience in the office furniture, commercial interiors, or contract furnishings industry

•      Experience quoting and specifying commercial furniture independently, including working with manufacturer catalogs and configuration tools

•      Familiarity with furniture finish selection and fabric and material specification

•      Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related technical field

•      Knowledge of space planning principles, ADA compliance, and ergonomic best practices

•      Exposure to AutoCAD, Giza, SketchUp, Revit, or other drafting/rendering tools

•      NCIDQ certification or in progress is a bonus

What a Typical Week Looks Like

No two weeks are exactly alike, but here is a realistic picture of how time is generally spent:

Day Focus Areas

Monday - Review open project statuses; send client update emails; follow up on outstanding orders and pricing with manufacturers

Tuesday - Site survey for an upcoming project; update drawings in CET based on field measurements; check in on an active install

Wednesday - Build a space plan for a new prospect; assist a colleague with furniture or finish selection on their project; coordinate delivery schedule

Thursday - Client check-in calls; prepare a quote and spec out product for an upcoming proposal; resolve a shipping or order issue

Friday - Project documentation and closeout tasks; prep finish board or spec sheet for a colleague; review upcoming site visits for next week

Work Environment

Esplanade Office is a small, close-knit team where everyone's contribution is visible and meaningful. You won't get lost in a large organization here — you'll work directly with ownership, build real relationships with clients and manufacturer reps, and see the results of your work firsthand.

We operate in a professional office environment and expect team members to be present and engaged during business hours. At the same time, we understand that life doesn't always follow a schedule. We're flexible when flexibility is needed — whether that's a school drop-off, a doctor's appointment, or an unexpected personal matter.

This is a full-time, in-office position. Being accessible to your team and clients is central to how this role succeeds and how we serve our customers well.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary

$40,000 – $80,000 annually ($19.23 – $38.46 per hour), commensurate with experience, education, and background.

Commission

In addition to base salary, this position earns commission on completed jobs based on gross profit. Commission rate is determined by experience level. Details are outlined in our commission agreement, which will be provided and reviewed prior to hire.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Esplanade Office contributes 51% of monthly health insurance premiums. Employees become eligible for coverage 90 days from their date of hire.

Simple IRA

We offer a Simple IRA with a 100% employer match on employee contributions, up to 3% of annual compensation. Employees become eligible after their 90-day probationary period.

Paid Time Off

Employees receive 40 hours of paid sick leave in their first calendar year. Beginning in year two, PTO accrues on the following schedule:

Years of Employment

Years 1 – 5 - 88 hours (11 days)

Years 6 – 10 - 120 hours (15 days)

Years 11 – 14 - 160 hours (20 days)

Years 15 - 200 hours (25 days)

Paid Holidays

Esplanade Office observes the following paid holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday), and Christmas Day.