Associate Director, Furniture Design

Location: Northbrook, IL, US

Employment Type: Full Time

The Associate Director, Furniture Design leads the creative and strategic development of seasonal assortments from concept to market. Partnering with the VP of Design, they execute brand-aligned product strategies while driving cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence. This role manages the design team and vendor relationships, leveraging expertise in materials and trends to deliver innovative, high-quality products that fuel business growth.

This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

A day in the life as an Associate Director, Furniture Design... 

• Partner with the Vice President of Design to translate seasonal direction into commercially viable product strategies aligned with brand vision and business goals

• Serve as the creative lead for our team of designers for assigned product categories, driving the development and execution of cohesive, trend-right assortments across all categories

• Lead and manage the end-to-end product development process, from concept through final approval, ensuring design integrity, quality, and adherence to timelines

• Establish and evolve processes and workflows to improve efficiency, communication, and overall team performance cross-functionally

• Own the structure, cadence, and outcomes of key product meetings, ensuring clear alignment across design, merchandising, sourcing, and external partners

• Drive accountability to seasonal calendars, proactively identifying risks and communicating timeline changes or challenges to executive leadership

• Review and approve all design concepts and technical specifications prior to vendor handoff, ensuring accuracy and readiness for development

• Collaborate with overseas vendors and agents to resolve development challenges, providing thoughtful solutions that balance design intent, cost, and feasibility

• Build and maintain strong relationships with collaborators through presentations, communication, and product approvals

• Travel internationally as needed to review product development

• Lead, mentor, and develop design team members by setting clear objectives, providing ongoing feedback, and supporting professional growth

What you’ll bring to the table…

• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across design, merchandising, sourcing, and executive teams

• Deep passion for design, interiors, and product development, combined with a strong awareness of market trends, materials, and the evolving competitive landscape

• Understanding of design history, trends, and market positioning

• Proven ability to effectively communicate, influence, and align stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership, external partners, and vendors, with strong negotiation and decision-making skills

• Strategic thinker with a strong understanding of business priorities, able to translate high-level concepts into actionable design strategies that align with commercial viability

• Experience establishing and improving processes to drive efficiency and elevate team performance

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Detail-oriented with a high standard for quality, accuracy, and execution

• Proven leadership capabilities with experience managing and developing high-performing teams

We’d love to hear from you if you have… 

• Must provide a link to portfolio (including password) on resume or provide PDF samples

• 10 years of experience in product design and development within the furniture and lighting industry

• 5 years of proven experience leading and developing a high-performing design team

• BFA or MA in Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or a related design field, or equivalent practical experience

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop), and Google/Microsoft Suite applications

• Expert of the product design and development process, including deep technical expertise in materiality, product engineering, manufacturing best practices, and production processes for furniture and lighting

• Demonstrated ability in trend research and driving innovative cross-category product development

• Extensive experience traveling and working with factories in-country on product development projects, as well as travel for design inspiration