Empire Office is hiring: Senior Creative Specialist in New York

Join to apply for the Senior Creative Specialist role at Empire Office, located in New York, NY.

Empire Office is the largest commercial furniture dealer in the world, with over 79 years of experience and more than 435 full-time employees nationwide.

Overview

Empire Office is seeking a Senior Creative Specialist to join our Creative Studio team in our New York, NY office. The Creative Studio was established to meet the increasing demand for highly curated ancillary environments within commercial office projects. This senior-level position plays a key role in shaping the creative direction of ancillary solutions, supporting both internal teams and external clients across the A+D community and end‑user accounts. The Senior Creative Specialist brings deep product knowledge, elevated taste, and strategic thinking to every project—driving best‑in‑class solutions that balance aesthetics, performance, price, and lead time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of ancillary packages for projects requiring alternates driven by budget, lead time, performance needs, or client aesthetic direction.
• Strategize and curate furniture solutions that align with an overarching look + feel, even in the absence of defined specifications—translating conceptual direction into actionable packages.
• Produce polished, client‑ready presentations in InDesign or PowerPoint, supported by comprehensive Excel documentation, including pricing, discounts, lead times, warranties, and product details.
• Serve as a senior point of support for sales teams, offering expert recommendations, alternates, and creative guidance for ancillary furniture, accessories, artwork, and specialty items.
• Develop elevated accessory and styling packages that enhance and complete ancillary environments, ensuring cohesiveness and alignment with the project’s design intent.
• Collaborate closely with Creative Studio and Marketing leadership to expand and refine the Creative Library—a curated pricing and specification tool built from Empire’s 400+ manufacturer partners.
• Maintain and update Creative Library product data quarterly, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and alignment with market trends and manufacturer updates.
• Build and nurture strategic partnerships with key manufacturers, developing a nuanced understanding of their aesthetic strengths, fabrication capabilities, pricing tiers, and lead times.
• Manage escalated and time‑sensitive requests with professionalism, urgency, and strong decision‑making, ensuring seamless client and internal team support.

Requirements

• Experience within a furniture dealership or contract furniture manufacturer, with hands‑on knowledge of ancillary solutions, pricing structures, and industry trends.
• CET experience strongly preferred.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative curation, spatial thinking, and product storytelling.
• Advanced proficiency in InDesign, PowerPoint, and Excel with an eye for elevated visual communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high‑quality output.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship‑building skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Interior Design, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 3–5 years of experience in creative services, interior design support, or the contract furniture industry
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel
• Deep understanding of furniture aesthetics, ancillary products, and interior design styles
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present clearly and professionally
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Proven ability to problem‑solve, prioritize, and work independently
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment with a strong sense of urgency
• Experience with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop required; AutoCAD and CET experience a plus
• Contract furniture dealership or manufacturer experience strongly preferred
• Hedberg experience a plus
• Salary range: $70,000 – $90,000, based on experience and qualifications