About This Role
Design Vision is a boutique, luxury interior design studio serving the North Shore and Greater Boston areas, specializing in transforming homes into environments that are beautiful, functional, and deeply personal.
We are looking for a highly capable, self-directed Studio Operations Manager to serve as the operational backbone of the business, including owning client experience, project flow, vendor relationships, and studio systems end to end.
This is not a design role, but it requires someone who deeply appreciates the design process, thrives in a detail-oriented environment, and finds genuine satisfaction in building systems that let creative work flourish. The right candidate is a proven self-starter who can manage day-to-day operations independently, anticipate needs before they become issues, and continuously identify opportunities to improve studio workflows and processes.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Vendor & Trade Management
– Own and continuously improve the studio's Master Vendor & Trade Spreadsheet, including trade account applications, resale documentation, and discount tracking
– Source and establish relationships with new vendors and showrooms as the studio's project scope grows
– Manage trade account correspondence and ensure all documentation remains current
2. Product & Materials Management
– Own and maintain both the physical materials library and the online product catalog
– Oversee the ordering, tracking, and return of samples for active projects
– Ensure the studio's resource library remains current, organized, and accessible to the design team
3. Procurement & Order Administration
– Manage the full procurement lifecycle: requests for quotes, purchase orders, invoices, and order tracking
– Oversee delivery logistics, coordinate installations, and drive resolution of deficiencies or replacements
– Maintain meticulous procurement documentation for each project for internal and client records
4. Client Process Management
– Own the full client lifecycle, from initial inquiry calls and fit assessment through onboarding, project support, and a polished offboarding experience
– Manage all client-facing administrative touchpoints independently: welcome packets, questionnaires, file setup, gifting, and final deliverables
– Oversee client surveys and ensure offboarding reflects the studio's high service standards
5. Project Support & Studio Operations
– Lead preparation of trade day and install day kits and ensure all project-day materials are ready
– Lead photoshoot and styling session coordination, including prop sourcing and on-site direction
– Maintain a professional studio presence at project sites, representing the studio's standards
– Own the studio's project management platform (Monday.com or similar), including structure, maintenance, and team adoption
– Lead the documentation, refinement, and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures to support studio scalability
– Serve as a thought partner to the Principal Designer on studio growth, process improvement, and capacity planning
6. Marketing & Business Development Support
– Proactively build and maintain a local referral network across the North Shore area, including real estate agents, contractors, stagers, and complementary businesses
– Represent the studio at local networking events, trade open houses, and community gatherings to grow brand awareness and referral relationships as needed
– Identify and pursue local visibility opportunities: press mentions, home tours, community platforms, and neighborhood business partnerships
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What We're Looking For
– 3–5 years of experience in operations management, studio management, client experience, and/or project coordination; background in a design, architecture, or luxury creative services environment strongly preferred; Bachelor's Degree required
– Demonstrated ability to own a function independently, building systems, solving problems, and operating without significant oversight
– Polished, professional communicator with strong written and verbal skills, equally comfortable with high-end clients, trade vendors, and creative collaborators
– Proven track record of managing multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities
– Proficiency with project management tools (e.g. Asana or similar) and/or ability to quickly learn new platforms
– Strategic and proactive; someone who identifies issues early and comes with solutions
– Ideally has a genuine passion for the design world
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What Success Looks Like
– The Principal Designer is fully freed from operational and administrative tasks and can focus on design and client relationships
– Client onboarding and offboarding are consistent, elevated, and require no oversight from the Principal Designer
– All vendor, procurement, and project data are current, accurate, and immediately accessible
– Studio operations run smoothly and predictably, with bottlenecks identified and resolved before they surface
– The studio's systems are well-documented, scalable, and ready to support continued growth
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What We Offer
– Exposure to high-end residential interior design projects.
– A collaborative, creative environment where initiative is valued.
– Opportunities to contribute to both the operational and creative sides of the business.
– Growth potential as the role and studio expand.
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Details
This is a part-time independent contractor position based in Gloucester, MA, with a schedule of approximately 4 days per week. Compensation is commensurate with experience $30–32/hr. This role has the potential to grow into a full-time position for the right candidate. Candidates should be local to the North Shore or willing to commute; some remote flexibility may be available for administrative work.
To apply, please send your resume and a brief note about why this role is a fit for you to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $30.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Gloucester, MA
