Home Staging Project Lead
Transition Home Staging | Arlington Heights, IL
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING
This is a hands-on design AND leadership position.
The Staging Project Lead is responsible for creating beautiful, market-ready spaces while leading staging projects, directing Assistant Stagers, and communicating professionally with Realtors and sellers.
If you do NOT have strong staging/interior design experience, leadership ability, and the confidence to make design and project decisions, please do not apply.
Applicants must be able to:
- Lead the design vision for occupied and vacant staging projects
- Make confident design decisions
- Lead and direct Assistant Stagers
- Communicate professionally with Realtors and sellers
- Manage multiple projects, schedules, and priorities
- Solve problems and make sound decisions in the field
- Balance great design with efficiency, project scope, and budget
- Take ownership of assigned projects from beginning to end
Applications Will NOT Be Considered Without:
- Resume showing relevant staging, interior design, merchandising, or similar experience
- Portfolio or photos demonstrating staging, design, or styling ability
About Transition Home Staging
Transition Home Staging is an award-winning home staging company serving the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago, specializing in both occupied and vacant properties.
Our approach goes beyond decorating. We look at each property through the eyes of a potential buyer and use staging to improve the home's marketability, highlight its best features, and help buyers emotionally connect with the property.
Our team is fast-paced, collaborative, detail-oriented, and committed to providing an exceptional experience for our Realtors and sellers.
About the Role
As a Staging Project Lead, you will take ownership of assigned staging projects from consultation and design planning through inventory selection, installation, client communication, and project follow-up.
This is a working leadership role. You will actively design, select inventory, move and style furnishings, and work alongside your staging team—not simply supervise them.
The Project Lead is responsible for both how the finished project looks and how efficiently the team gets there.
Responsibilities
Client Consultations & Project Planning
- Conduct occupied staging consultations and vacant property walk-throughs
- Evaluate properties through the eyes of a potential buyer
- Identify the seller's primary selling challenges
- Recommend changes that improve the home's marketability
- Determine appropriate rooms and areas to stage
- Communicate staging recommendations clearly and professionally to Realtors and sellers
- Help establish realistic expectations for project scope, timing, and next steps
We aren't preparing a home for how the seller lives in it—we're preparing it for how buyers will see and experience it.
Quotes & Project Preparation
- Prepare staging recommendations and quotes based on project needs
- Understand project scope, inventory requirements, labor, and staging timelines
- Work within company pricing and profitability standards
- Maintain accurate project information within company systems
- Coordinate project requirements with the staging, warehouse, and Operations teams
Training will be provided on Transition Home Staging's quoting process, Stageforce, and internal procedures.
Design Planning & Selection
- Develop the overall design direction for occupied and vacant staging projects
- Select furniture, rugs, artwork, accessories, and décor appropriate for the home, target buyer, and price point
- Work hands-on with Assistant Stagers during inventory selection and picking
- Make confident design decisions and substitutions while staying within the approved project scope and budget
- Coordinate inventory needs with the Warehouse Lead
Lead & Develop Assistant Stagers
- Lead and direct Assistant Stagers during picking, staging, and installation
- Clearly communicate design direction, assignments, and expectations
- Work alongside the team while maintaining responsibility for the finished design
- Help train and onboard new Assistant Stagers in THS design and staging standards
- Coach team members and provide feedback to help develop their staging and design skills
Installation & Field Leadership
- Lead occupied and vacant staging installations from start to finish
- Direct the staging team while working hands-on alongside them
- Make onsite design decisions and solve unexpected challenges
- Manage projects within the approved scope and allotted timeframe
- Maintain THS quality, property protection, and photo-ready standards
- Communicate professionally with Realtors, sellers, Operations, and the warehouse
Client & Realtor Communication
- Serve as a primary staging contact for assigned projects
- Explain recommendations and staging decisions professionally
- Set clear expectations with Realtors and sellers
- Handle questions and project changes
- Provide staging-day updates and completion communication
- Build and maintain strong Realtor and client relationships
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Professional experience in home staging, interior design, merchandising, styling, or a closely related field
- Strong portfolio demonstrating design ability
- Excellent eye for scale, balance, proportion, color, and composition
- Ability to visualize and execute complete rooms
- Strong leadership and teamwork skills
- Excellent organization and time-management skills
- Confident decision-making and problem-solving ability
- Professional communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
- Comfortable using technology and learning new systems
- Basic knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
- Reliable transportation; SUV or larger preferred
- Flexible daytime schedule and ability to accommodate changing real estate timelines
- Ability to lift approximately 35–50 lbs., move staging inventory and furniture, and climb ladders as needed
- Comfortable with the physical work involved in staging, including loading, unloading, unpacking, styling, packing, and light cleaning
What Sets You Apart
- You naturally see what a room needs—and what it doesn't
- You can walk into a property and quickly develop a design plan
- You understand that staging is about marketing a property, not simply decorating it
- You can create beautiful spaces while staying aware of time and budget
- You enjoy leading but aren't afraid to work alongside your team
- You can make decisions when things don't go exactly according to plan
- You communicate confidently with Realtors and homeowners
- You enjoy teaching and developing other team members
- You take ownership and follow through
- You care about the client experience and execution as much as the finished design
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Resume
- Portfolio or examples of staging/design work
- Brief description of your staging, interior design, merchandising, or related experience
- Any previous experience leading or training team members
At Transition Home Staging, we don't just decorate homes—we solve selling challenges and create spaces that help homes sell.
Location: Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Work Location: In person
Shift Availability: Day Shift Required
Ability to Commute: Arlington Heights, IL Required
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a valid drivers license and your own transportation to get to work and travel to different project sites during the day?
Experience:
- Home Staging or Home Design: 1 year (Required)
- Leading a team: 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- Drivers License (Required)
Shift availability:
Ability to Commute:
- Arlington Heights, IL 60004 (Required)
Work Location: In person
