Commercial Furniture Dealer Senior Designer

About Henricksen

Henricksen (Oak Brook, IL) is a full-service contract furniture dealership specializing in office, healthcare, education, government, senior living, and hospitality spaces. Founded in 1962 as a small, family-run dealership, Henricksen has grown into a leading national dealership with twelve offices across Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, DC, and Wisconsin. With over 300 full-time employees and annual sales exceeding $300 million, Henricksen partners with 300+ manufacturers to offer a comprehensive range of products, including systems furniture, casegoods, seating, lounge and conference furnishings, as well as architectural solutions such as modular walls, flooring, lighting, sound masking, and technology equipment. Henricksen is one of the largest privately-owned dealer partners of HNI in the United States, representing brands like Allsteel, Gunlocke, HBF, The HON Company, and Kimball International.

About the Role

This position is located in our Milwaukee, WI office. The Senior Designer collaborates with Account Executives, clients, and Customer Support Teams as an industry expert to design and specify creative, functional, and alternative solutions that meet client expectations and project requirements. The role focuses on programming, typical development, space planning, finish palettes, drawings, specifications, and field verifications. As a Senior Designer, you will engage with clients, the project team, and external partners to develop and execute exceptional design solutions while fostering Design team learning and process enhancement to promote quality project outcomes. The ideal candidate will contribute to and positively influence the customer experience, culture, and mission.

Responsibilities

• Project Definition and Planning: Participate in and/or facilitate project meetings to establish and maintain clear and reasonable project expectations (e.g., scope, deliverables, timeline, roles, and team operations). Contribute to the development and presentation of project design solutions that optimize client space and engagement in response to proposals, contracts, and requirements. Advise on and negotiate project design details in relation to proven practices, standards, and concurrent priorities.
• Design Process Execution: Execute larger and more complex, higher-profile projects independently with quality and efficient outcomes. Gather programming required to develop or revise schematic designs in compliance with client expectations and project requirements. Outline cost estimates and/or resource needs to execute approved design recommendations and modifications. Develop and revise schedules, documentation, and recommendations in alignment with project requirements. Implement core processes with accountability, accuracy, and consistency. Promote information sharing, learning, and process improvement to enhance project and Design team productivity. Develop finish palettes for client review as required by the project.
• Design Consultation and Collaboration: Engage with clients in real-time to outline and agree on design intent. Create drawings, renderings, and other design deliverables that illustrate and reflect design intent. Advise customers and project teams on design applications and opportunities that proactively address programming needs (e.g., collaboration/engagement, ergonomics, technology integration, building codes, and ADA requirements). Coordinate with consultants, project teams, and installers to effectively manage changes, field reviews, and installations. Organize and manage project drawings, revisions, and critical project documentation (e.g., key decisions, approvals, signoffs, and meeting highlights). Leverage strategic insights, planning methodologies, and vertical market expertise related to planning and design.
• Customer Service: Serve as an industry expert to inform and address client inquiries and needs. Maintain a professional and positive demeanor across situations, clients, and vendors. Communicate with transparency and professionalism across the project team to promote an exceptional client experience. Adapt to project and client needs in alignment with core processes and service-level expectations. Leverage prior client interactions, projects, and learnings to enhance the client experience.
• People and Culture Development: Serve as an informal peer coach to help resolve real-time project-related issues. Perform work and engage in support of organizational culture and expectations. Establish and nurture inclusive relationships with colleagues and within project teams. Maintain accountability for ongoing learning and improvements required to perform the job. Collaborate and take initiative to support the success and growth of self, others, and the organization.

Requirements

• Education and Experience:
  • Associate’s degree in interior design, architecture, or related field (required).
  • College degree in interior design, architecture, or related field from a CIDA-accredited program (preferred).
  • 5+ years of experience in contract design and/or furniture dealership or construction.
  • Experience with specification and layout of systems, ancillary furniture, demountable partitions, contract furniture, and/or construction processes from programming to delivery/installation.
• Technical Knowledge:
  • Workplace environment issues (e.g., ergonomics, technology integration, teaming, planning, facility needs).
  • Building codes, ADA regulations, Electrical Code, etc.
• Technical Skills:
  • High proficiency in AutoCAD, CAP Studio or Project Matrix, Configura CET, and proven graphic layout skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 applications (including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Professional Skills:
  • Proven track record in a customer-facing environment (internal and external).
  • Proven ability to execute complex, high-volume projects simultaneously in an organized, creative, and quality-driven way.
  • Strong learning and coaching capabilities and interest.
  • Conscientious and flexible, with a strong work ethic and problem-solving and team orientation.
  • Proficient and effective communicator (written and verbal) across various audiences and situations.
• Certifications and Memberships:
  • NCIDQ and state certifications (preferred).
  • Active membership in relevant associations (preferred).

Pay

$73,500 - $93,500/year

Benefits

Henricksen offers competitive wages based on skills and experience as well as comprehensive benefits packages.

Additional Information

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Henricksen is fully committed to cultivating a culture that is inclusive and integrates its Core Values in every action, interaction, and decision.