Design Manager

M/I Homes has been building new homes of outstanding quality and superior design for more than 40 years. Founded in 1976 by Irving and Melvin Schottenstein, and guided by Irving’s drive to always “treat the customer right,” we’ve fulfilled the dreams of over 140,000 homeowners and grown to become one of the nation’s leading homebuilders. M/I Homes started as a family business and grew into a national leader in a single generation with divisions in 17 markets, including Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Ft. Myers/Naples, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, San Antonio, Sarasota, and Tampa.

Job Summary:

Responsible for contributing to the Design department’s operations, including but not limited to strategy development; physical Design Studio operations; upholding the integrity of the M/I Homes brand; and creating and maintaining a standard of excellence consistent with the ethical principles of M/I Homes. Provides assistance to the home buyer in selecting interior and exterior options to enhance the personalization of the home building process. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in creating the development of the Design Studio’s short and long-term objectives
• Effectively communicates with the VP of Sales & Marketing, Area President, Marketing Manager, VP of Purchasing, and all other department heads.
• Visits and manages the field micro studios to ensure that Customer-related Design concerns are inspected and compliant with Design Studio selections and expectations.
• Visits the field, as needed, to assure that prototype homes and spec home selections are compliant with Design Studio selections and expectations.
• Participates in the determination of Design selections and assuring that selections are market specific. Provides assistance and specific product information to new home buyers during “browsing hours,” and the full design appointment.   
• Prepares and reviews initial Color Selection Sheets; prepares Change Orders as required; verifies accuracy of information and pricing prior to submitting to Sales Admin for processing.
• Assists VP of Sales & Marketing in creating community color matrixes and confirms exterior color selections of adjacent homes to ensure color selections are not duplicated.
• Schedule appointments with Customers
• Prepare appointment files
• Track change orders in the Change Log Matrix and QMI Requests Log
• Coordinates selections/options for “Inventory/Spec” homes and submits Color Selection Sheets by specific deadline to ensure building process is not delayed.
• Researches and provides information on selections to subcontractors and appropriate Company representatives
• Assists in managing the company’s design tool (Envision) in collaboration with Purchasing and Operations team members.
• Maintains samples in a workable and organized manner throughout each Design Studio.
• Assisted point of contact with Construction for options clarifications and change orders
• Assist with special projects as requested and perform additional duties as required.
• Facilitates the following customer appointments:

Preview Appointment – Presents new home buyers with a tour and presentation of Included Features and Optional Upgrades (as needed)

Color Sessions and Full Design Appointments – Coordinates and finalizes all color selections required for home building process

Requirements

Minimum Education/Experience:Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience with a minimum of 3 years direct Design Center experience.

Excellent computer skills, including MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.  General knowledge of the home building industry and/or equivalent experience related to design and color coordination with like-industries. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong customer service-oriented personality and ability to work well with others for interaction with a variety of people inside and outside of the organization.
• Strong verbal and written communication and organization skills as well as detail-oriented aptitude to provide accurate information.
• Design background preferred with general knowledge of blueprint and plot map reading to assist in the selection process.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other programs, including Word, Adobe, Bluebeam, and Excel
• Coaching and strong interpersonal skills

Benefits

M/I Homes offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off and paid holidays, paid parental leave, traditional and Roth 401(k) options, profit sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan, employee home purchase plan and more.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

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