Operations Director/Integrator

About Pillar & Peacock
Pillar & Peacock is an interior design firm dedicated to synthesizing beauty and function. Our name reflects our commitment to both exquisite design and precise planning: Pillar, for architectural fundamentals that create usability and flow; and Peacock, for the expressive beauty and artistry that bring spaces to life.

Our portfolio spans residential and commercial projects, including new construction, renovations, additions, multi-family developments, offices, and interior-design–only engagements. We believe that exceptional design is the result of thoughtful collaboration and a deep understanding of each client's goals, style, and daily needs. Our process blends technical rigor with creative expression, resulting in spaces that are intuitive, enduring, and inspiring.

We’re a collaborative, detail-driven design studio with offices in Virginia and Alabama, and we’re seeking an Operations Director/Integrator to join our growing team.

Position Overview

The Operations Integrator is the strategic and systems-minded leader who ensures Pillar & Peacock’s creative vision is executed with consistency, precision, and profitability. This person serves as the stabilizer of the business — integrating people, processes, and priorities across all offices to ensure the firm operates at its highest level. This role blends operational leadership, financial oversight, resource planning, and cross-functional team management. The ideal candidate is proactive, analytical, solutions-oriented, and skilled at turning ideas into organized, actionable plans. They clear roadblocks, streamline workflow, maintain accountability rhythms, and ensure projects are completed on brand.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy:

• Translate company goals into quarterly operational priorities, KPIs, and capacity plans.
• Serve on the leadership team, contributing to long-term strategy, growth planning, and operational decision-making.
• Identify inefficiencies and build scalable systems that improve service quality and internal clarity.
• Maintain the firm’s accountability cadence: weekly scorecards, team meetings, performance reviews, and process refinements.

Resources Management:

• Align people, time, and resources with project requirements and revenue goals across all offices.
• Monitor team utilization and proactively identify staffing, workload balancing, or pacing needs.
• Develop hiring recommendations and resource allocation strategies based on forecasted demand.
• Lead firm-wide resource planning — aligning people, time, and budgets with project schedules and revenue goals.
• Use data-driven insights to advise on when to expand staffing, shift workload, or adjust pacing to meet business goals.

Financial Operations:

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning in partnership with bookkeeping and accounting.
• Manage cash flow checkpoints, WIP tracking, AR/AP oversight, and utilization reporting.
• Monitor department and project-level budgets, ensuring alignment with firm profitability goals.
• Provide data-driven insights to inform pricing, capacity decisions, financial planning, and growth opportunities.

People & Culture

• Lead and support operations staff, fostering a culture of accountability, clear communication, and collaboration.
• Oversee onboarding/offboarding, training, and access to tools and systems.
• Support performance management rhythms with Principals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, clear communication, and collaboration across all offices.

Process & Systems

• Refine and document SOPs across all operational functions — design phases, purchasing, finance, HR, and install readiness.
• Implement systems to increase efficiency, reduce rework, and improve the client and team experience.
• Oversee procurement workflows in collaboration with project managers.
• Maintain technology and office infrastructure across all studios, ensuring consistent performance and support.
• Assist Principals in managing vendor relationships

Reporting & Analysis

• Develop and maintain dashboards covering:
• Profitability by project and department
• Team utilization and capacity
• Cash flow, AR/AP, and WIP status
• Install readiness and purchasing pipeline health
• Present operational insights and recommendations to leadership regularly.

Qualifications

• 7 years of progressive experience in operations, ideally within design, architecture, or a creative services environment.
• Proven leadership in scaling operations, managing budgets, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Project Management software.
• Experience with design management software implementation, training, and process flows.
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendor relationships in HR, IT, legal, and bookkeeping.
• Proven experience in managing studio and office operations..
• Ability to think both strategically and execute effectively; strategy experience is a plus.
• Exceptional communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Inspiring leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent attention to detail, especially in process development and documentation.
• Ability to manage billing, invoicing, and support bookkeeping processes.
• Empathy, motivation, and strong relationship-building skills.
• Learning mindset with a proactive orientation.
• Strong analytical background with comfort in spreadsheet modeling and reporting.
• Great problem-solving skills and ability to ensure projects meet brand promise.

Working Conditions

• Full Time position
• Located in Richmond, VA, Florence, AL or remote with regular travel to all offices
• Must have working vehicle to travel to project sites and between offices.
• Must feel comfortable working interactively with teammates and industry partners of our three offices located in Virginia and Alabama.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to move around the office and studio spaces.
• Manual dexterity for typing, document handling, and using office equipment.
• Visual and auditory ability to perform essential job functions, including reading documents and communicating effectively.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Pillar & Peacock is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance

Application Question(s):

• What is your desired salary?
• Give an example of a technical or operational process you designed or documented. What tools did you use to map the workflow, and how did you ensure team adherence and continuous improvement?
• Describe a time you developed or managed an operational budget. What specific tools (software, templates, models) did you use, and how did you track variances or reduce cost without compromising quality?

Experience:

• operations: 7 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Richmond, VA 23226 (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Richmond, VA 23226

Salary : $85,000