Operations Manager

About the company

Dana Bacher Design (DBD) is an award‑winning, boutique full‑service residential design studio serving high‑end and luxury clients — including the 2025 Southern Living Showcase Home. The close‑knit team of seven works on beautiful, high‑touch projects from concept through installation and is entering an exciting growth phase.

The role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a boutique, award‑winning design studio and make it your own. As Operations Manager you will not only keep the trains running but also build the systems, structure, and rhythm that let a talented creative team do its best work. You will partner directly with the Principal, influencing how the studio operates and grows. If you get genuine satisfaction from turning chaos into clarity, this role provides a high‑profile canvas for that talent.

Why you’ll love this role

• Real ownership, real impact – design and implement the operational backbone of a growing studio.
• Direct line to leadership – work side‑by‑side with the Principal as a true business partner.
• Beautiful work, high standards – every project is high‑end, design‑forward, and industry‑recognized.
• A close‑knit, talented team – seven people who care about the work and each other.
• Room to grow – the role can expand in scope and seniority as the studio scales.
• Coastal lifestyle – based in Beaufort, South Carolina, with a lower cost of living and a slower pace.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement operational systems and SOPs across the studio (project management, procurement, client communication, vendor management).
• Continuously identify process gaps and inefficiencies and build solutions to close them.
• Own and optimize the studio’s project management and design software platforms.
• Manage the day‑to‑day flow of active projects — timelines, budgets, order status, punch lists, installs.
• Set and adjust team priorities across projects based on deadlines, workload, and studio capacity.
• Serve as the point person keeping designers, trades, and vendors aligned and on schedule.
• Flag bottlenecks and resource conflicts before they become problems.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend accounting tools and software best suited to the studio.
• Oversee implementation and integration of accounting systems into the broader workflow.
• Manage financial reporting and provide the Principal with regular visibility into studio financial health.
• Maintain and improve accounting systems and processes as the studio scales.
• Support onboarding, scheduling, and general HR‑adjacent administration.
• Help write and maintain job descriptions and hiring materials as the team grows.
• Contribute to a positive, organized studio culture.

Requirements

• Prior experience in operations, project management, or studio management within the kitchen and interior design or related creative/luxury services industry.
• Experience evaluating and implementing accounting or financial software/systems, and familiarity with financial reporting.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities.
• Excellent organizational skills and process/systems‑building instincts.
• Clear, professional communication style — comfortable working directly with clients, vendors, and trades.
• A proactive, solutions‑oriented approach; comfortable operating with autonomy in a small‑team environment.
• Experience with design‑industry project management or accounting platforms a plus (e.g., Studio Designer, Ivy, Design Manager, QuickBooks).

Benefits

• A key leadership role in a growing, award‑winning boutique studio with room to shape how the business operates.
• Direct partnership with the Principal on business strategy and studio direction.
• Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience.

Compensation

Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience.

Location & schedule

Full‑time position based in Beaufort, South Carolina. Experience level: Mid‑Senior.