Sr. Manager, Interior Design

Position Summary

As a member of the professional staff, contributes specialized knowledge and skill in a discipline (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Resort Operations, Sales & Marketing, A&C Design) area to support team and/or department business objectives. Generally, works under limited supervision, but within established guidelines, producing and analyzing more complex business information to assist in the decision-making process.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Interior Design provides design direction and project management support in coordination with the MVC VP & AVP – Architecture & Design.  The manager will oversee the design and project coordination to ensure achievement of design principles to exceed MVW expectations and is responsible for supporting the management of the Interior Design process and all required approvals for assigned projects. 

This position provides professional leadership that aligns with MVW standards, the Architecture & Design department protocols, and relevant professional practices.  The manager also supports the Architecture & Design department in securing MVW leadership and Marriott international approvals.

Expected Contributions

• Performs more complex quantitative and qualitative analysis for business processes and/or projects. Often manages small projects, business processes or parts of larger ones.
• Responds to, solves, and makes decisions on more complex/non-routine business requests with limited to moderate risk. 
• Responsible for own work and contributing to team, department and/or business results. May direct work of non-management staff.
• Assists more senior associates in achieving business results by:
• identifying opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of business processes.
• providing training and technical guidance to less senior staff, where appropriate, and serving as point-of-contact for problem resolution.
• participating in setting department operating plans.
• recognizing and celebrating team successes.
• achieving results against budget within scope of responsibility.
• Demonstrates an awareness of personal strengths and areas for improvement and acts independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
• Performs other duties as appropriate.

Interior Design and Brand Management

• Responsible for overall effectiveness and results of Interior Design on assigned projects.
• Lead projects at a senior level and provides interior design insight from a senior leadership level managing up to the Executive level.
• Leading interior design on assigned projects accepting responsibility for predefined schedule, scope and budget.
• Acquires expert level of proficiency and working knowledge with the accepted brand standards.
• Manages the brand submittal process, responds to commentary, documents approvals, and project close out protocols.
• Manages all project-related brand level communications for assigned projects, managing the design concepts and the progressive and timely advancement of the design through the approval process including: the executive committee,  brand, operations and other constituents as required.
• Champions the creation of coordinated design presentations and participates on Executive Committee level presentations for Project Approvals.
• Seek review and design guidance from senior staff for assigned projects.
• Champions innovative design at all levels to solve brand, project, and corporate needs.

Project Management

• Supports the VP and AVP – Architecture & Design with managing project teams, including problem resolution, negotiating solutions and managing team dynamics.
• Promote design strategies as an integral parameter of the development approval process.
• Champions alignment with department standards, brand standards and project management SOPs.
• Provides guidance on innovative strategies for project related interior design and project management SOPs.
• Manage team design efforts to achieve technically acceptable documentation to turn- over to the project management team.
• Fosters a working collaborative environment with internal departments, brand constituents, and external consultants.
• Manages upwards with departments to re-prioritize to accommodate and manage change on assigned projects.
• Resolves and/or escalates project issues quickly.
• Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change.
• Proactively seeks understanding of all systems, policies and/or processes related to the various project assignments.
• Ensures timely and accurate record keeping for assigned projects with superior follow up skills.
• Acclaim praise to associates and accept responsibility for non-acceptance.
• Provides a working environment that allows design risk without consequences.
• Lead project team meetings (in-person or virtual conference calls) as part of day-to-day normal business operations for all assigned project, corporate and business needs as required.

Business Relationships

• Partners with other department leaders including Sales, Marketing, Architecture & Construction, Finance, Pre-development, Procurement, Legal, and others as required on assigned projects, in support of action plans, and negotiating solutions.
• Engages with other departments and constituents to foster collaborative working relationships across all levels of the business.
• Engages and collaborates with outside consultants and vendors to develop and nurture collaborative working relationships.
• Highly supportive of the company’s overall vision and business strategy.
• Support research & development efforts for trending products and the application and/or integration of these products as possible cost savings for new build and renovation projects.

Candidate Profile

Education

• Professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering or Construction Management from an accredited University, or international equivalency.
• Professional registration is not required but will be an advantage.
• Other related technical skills, certifications, and affiliations would be an advantage.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of hospitality-related design experience as an Owners Representative is required.
• Extensive experience working with interior design related products, vendors, and vendor relations.
• Working knowledge of customized FF&E product design and product fabrication processes.
• Possesses thorough understanding and management experience with the design process, scheduling, contracts, budgets, construction management, and final product inspections.
• Extensive experience with managing 3rd party consultants of varying disciplines for applicable design related tasks.
• Possesses general understanding of timeshare sales, marketing, hospitality, legal, and accounting functions.
• Extensive experience managing design schedules, time management and change management within a fluid working environment.
• Strong experience managing others for assigned tasks with time and budget constraints.

Skills & Attributes

• The ability to create concepts, produce graphic material packages, set character, present ideas, and clearly communicate development plans and technical concepts.
• Assist associates with access to senior leaders to express ideas.
• Capacity and desire to interface with upper-level management.
• Abilities to draw and sketch and strong competency in relevant graphic and design related computer programs - CADD, REVIT, Sketchup, Bluebeam or similar.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft office software programs - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Maintains a professional attitude with all personnel in an office environment when solving problems.
• A willingness to seamlessly respond to changing deadlines and urgent situations with a calm and professional attitude.
• Abilities to draw and sketch and strong competency in relevant graphic and design related computer programs - CADD, REVIT, Sketchup, Bluebeam or similar.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft office software programs - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint related meetings as required in different time zones and with extended working hours.
• Fluent English communication competency – written, oral, electronic.  Additional language fluency e.g., Creole, European or Asian languages is an advantage.
• Leads by example and makes good, educated decisions under pressure.
• Physical ability to independently access construction sites.
• Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally for project related tasks.  The percentage of travel is estimated at 25%.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Organized, articulate function team player with ability to solve problems, negotiate solutions and manage difficult personalities.
• Ability to manage team design efforts to achieve technically acceptable documentation to turn- over to the project management team.
• Related and relevant Regional/International work experience would be an advantage.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.