> Senior Interior Designer
Coakley Brothers Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53244
Are you a creative, passionate, and ambitious design professional looking to make an impact on the places where people live, work, and play? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where you can work collaboratively to design solutions that wow clients? Make your mark and grow your career as an Interior Designer at Coakley Brothers & Brothers Interiors, where we transform spaces and inspire people.
The View From the Water Tower As a Senior Interior Designer, you’re a design leader with a deep understanding of both the design discipline and the business as a whole. This role independently leads complex, high-impact projects while demonstrating strong knowledge of how Sales, Procurement, Project Management, Installation, and Construction work together to deliver successful outcomes.
A Senior Designer does not rely on a Manager or Director to explain how processes, departments, or workflows function. Instead, they operate with curiosity, context, and confidence — anticipating needs, navigating complexity, and elevating outcomes through informed decision-making.
Dive In! Your Key Responsibilities & Duties Design & Project Leadership
Independently lead the department’s most complex, high-visibility, or high-risk design projects
Balance design excellence with schedule, budget awareness, and execution realities
Identify project risks early and proactively propose solutions and recommendations
Ensure design intent is clearly communicated and documented through all project phases
Business & Cross-Functional Knowledge
Demonstrate strong working knowledge of how all departments contribute to project delivery, including Sales, Procurement, Project Management, Installation, and Construction
Understand upstream and downstream impacts of design decisions on cost, schedule, logistics, and installation
Navigate internal systems, decisions, and handoffs independently
Actively seek to understand how the broader business operates and evolves
Mentorship & Influence
Mentor Interior Designers I and II through both technical guidance and business context
Share knowledge of processes, partners, and workflows to elevate team capability
Contribute input to department standards, tools, and best practices through experience and feedback
Client & Business Partnership
Serve as a senior design resource in client conversations, in partnership with Sales and leadership
Provide thoughtful design input on pursuits, proposals, and complex client needs when requested
Surface concerns, risks, or sensitivities early and collaborate with leadership on resolution
Success in This Role Looks Like
Impact beyond your own projects (systems, risk reduction, org trust)
Projects run smoothly because you understand how the whole system works
Fewer escalations due to proactive thinking and business awareness
Strong trust across departments due to informed collaboration
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design
8+ years of relevant commercial interior design experience
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects independently
Strong working knowledge of cross-department workflows and business operations
Curiosity, initiative, and desire to understand the business beyond design alone
NCIDQ Certified
Why Coakley? At Coakley Brothers and Brothers Interiors, we believe that exceptional customer service begins with how we treat each other. Our Diamond Class Customer Service philosophy centers on supporting our internal teammates just as much as our external clients. By anticipating one another’s needs and working collaboratively, we’re able to deliver efficient, thoughtful, and high-quality outcomes across every project.
You’ll be part of a team that takes a consultative, personalized approach, matching the right products, timelines, and solutions to each client’s unique needs. As a 137+ year old family-owned company, we’re proud of our legacy and culture. Here, you’re not just another employee; you’re part of the Coakley Crew. We believe in showing up for each other, inside and outside of work, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, connected, and supported.
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The View From the Water Tower As a Senior Interior Designer, you’re a design leader with a deep understanding of both the design discipline and the business as a whole. This role independently leads complex, high-impact projects while demonstrating strong knowledge of how Sales, Procurement, Project Management, Installation, and Construction work together to deliver successful outcomes.
A Senior Designer does not rely on a Manager or Director to explain how processes, departments, or workflows function. Instead, they operate with curiosity, context, and confidence — anticipating needs, navigating complexity, and elevating outcomes through informed decision-making.
Dive In! Your Key Responsibilities & Duties Design & Project Leadership
Independently lead the department’s most complex, high-visibility, or high-risk design projects
Balance design excellence with schedule, budget awareness, and execution realities
Identify project risks early and proactively propose solutions and recommendations
Ensure design intent is clearly communicated and documented through all project phases
Business & Cross-Functional Knowledge
Demonstrate strong working knowledge of how all departments contribute to project delivery, including Sales, Procurement, Project Management, Installation, and Construction
Understand upstream and downstream impacts of design decisions on cost, schedule, logistics, and installation
Navigate internal systems, decisions, and handoffs independently
Actively seek to understand how the broader business operates and evolves
Mentorship & Influence
Mentor Interior Designers I and II through both technical guidance and business context
Share knowledge of processes, partners, and workflows to elevate team capability
Contribute input to department standards, tools, and best practices through experience and feedback
Client & Business Partnership
Serve as a senior design resource in client conversations, in partnership with Sales and leadership
Provide thoughtful design input on pursuits, proposals, and complex client needs when requested
Surface concerns, risks, or sensitivities early and collaborate with leadership on resolution
Success in This Role Looks Like
Impact beyond your own projects (systems, risk reduction, org trust)
Projects run smoothly because you understand how the whole system works
Fewer escalations due to proactive thinking and business awareness
Strong trust across departments due to informed collaboration
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design
8+ years of relevant commercial interior design experience
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects independently
Strong working knowledge of cross-department workflows and business operations
Curiosity, initiative, and desire to understand the business beyond design alone
NCIDQ Certified
Why Coakley? At Coakley Brothers and Brothers Interiors, we believe that exceptional customer service begins with how we treat each other. Our Diamond Class Customer Service philosophy centers on supporting our internal teammates just as much as our external clients. By anticipating one another’s needs and working collaboratively, we’re able to deliver efficient, thoughtful, and high-quality outcomes across every project.
You’ll be part of a team that takes a consultative, personalized approach, matching the right products, timelines, and solutions to each client’s unique needs. As a 137+ year old family-owned company, we’re proud of our legacy and culture. Here, you’re not just another employee; you’re part of the Coakley Crew. We believe in showing up for each other, inside and outside of work, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, connected, and supported.
#J-18808-Ljbffr