Senior Design Associate

CityIrvineStateCaliforniaJob LocationIrvine Regional Office (Derian)Position TypeRegular

The Design Team supports work across Essex’s portfolio with major tasks including standardization of finish specifications for apartment units, fitness centers, amenities, exterior pool furniture, exterior paint, leasing centers and corporate offices.

We are seeking a talented individual to join the Design Team as a Senior Design Associate. This individual will assist, execute and oversee various projects in collaboration with Asset Management, Operations, Marketing and Redevelopment and Capital Project Managers. The individual hired for this role will be considered the local design expert for Northern California / Washington properties, sharing lessons learned with the rest of the Design Team.

The Senior Design Associate is expected to lead design projects and seek new furniture products, finishes and goods that would set Essex properties apart from our competitors. Other responsibilities include communicating within the Reinvestment Group as well as with outside vendors and consultants. The role requires regularly walking properties with Asset Management and Operations team members to obtain information on resident use of space and provide opinions on ways in which existing conditions can be improved.

We are looking for someone to use their creative input to make significant design decisions with minimal oversight, gained from advanced training and/or educational background.  We encourage an inventive nature, imagination and originality that aligns with the Essex vision. This role will be a design expert of Southern California, conducting in person site visits from San Diego to Ventura counties.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Lead design projects including exterior paint refreshes, interior hallway refreshes, interior and exterior amenity spaces, outdoor furniture replacement, and renovation of corporate and operations leasing offices.

• Lead specification efforts and coordinate selection of finishes, furniture and equipment. Create trackers for the design coordinator to utilize upon order entry with vendors and warehousing teams. Manage furniture, fixture and equipment installations with associated vendors.

• Collaborate with Design Director for portfolio’s standardization of specifications pertaining to apartment units, flooring, amenity furniture, and exterior furniture

• Actively collaborates with and supports in project life cycle from start to completion. This includes renovation efforts on multiple properties through communication with Project Managers and scheduling installations with the property/operations team.

• Research and provide suggestions for new vendors, products and technologies to advance Essex Design aesthetic.

• Create and maintain coordination of exterior paint palettes of apartment communities.

• As-built existing spaces and create plans In Auto CAD. Maintain historical CAD records for Design Team.

• Participate in the budget preparation and approval process for the revenue generating major renovation projects, working collaboratively with Asset Management and Project Management to gather necessary supporting proposals for their budgets.

• Act as liaison with property manager, maintenance supervisor, leasing consultants and other operations staff with renovation activity.

• Utilize all necessary technology applications, including MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Yardi, ServiceNow, AutoCAD, InDesign and Photoshop.

• Budget management: Oversee vendor execution specific to Southern California design projects concerning payment, product lead times and final installation quality assurance. This role will suggest alternative products for goods that may arrive broken or damaged and a quick solution is needed.

• Provide daily and weekly status of work and maintain a high level of communication with all parties involved - via phone, email and Service Now portal.

• Mentor and collaborate with design team members and adjacent department coordinators.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design, architecture, or related field required.

• 6+ years of design, architecture, contract furniture or real estate industry experience.

• Strong working knowledge of Auto CAD, InDesign and Photoshop software programs.

• Must have strong analytical skills, including the use of Excel, PowerPoint and Yardi.

• ServiceNow experience a plus.

• LEED AP, LEED Green Associate, Fitwel or NCIDQ certifications preferred.  

• This person must be a team player who can communicate and work effectively throughout all levels of the company’s organizational chart, and with outside vendors.

• Must have sound and professional written and oral communication skills.

• Must have solid organizational skills and be able to coordinate many tasks through others to maximize production.

• Working knowledge of basic real estate investment principles to effectively make informed “investment” related decisions with respect to capital improvement budgeting.

WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:

• Operates in a fast-paced work setting. Requires the ability to multitask and adapt quickly to changing priorities. May involve tight deadlines and high-energy work situations. 

• Requires the ability to work Monday through Friday. Entails in-person office requirements for a minimum of 3 days per the Company's hybrid policy, located at our Irvine corporate office.

• Involves frequent standing, walking, and occasional bending. Requires the ability to lift moderate-weight objects (up to 50 pounds). May involve physical activities such as climbing stairs or assisting in furniture installations.

• Frequent travel to various locations for meetings, projects, property visits, or on-site work.

• Requires flexibility to travel based on business needs, with occasional short-notice trips.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE:

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, co-workers, and/or supervisor. Ability to create and oversee processes, especially pertaining to furniture, fixture, and equipment orders and renovation projects.

• Ability to persuade, influence or leads others on complex issues of strategic importance to the job area or department.

• Ability to understand and carry out instructions with high level of expertise and autonomy, subject to appropriate oversight. Ability to solve problems and regularly utilize independent judgement in matters of significance, including but not limited to renovation projects.

• Decisions made with understanding of procedures and company policies to achieve set results and deadlines. Ability to identify and create value as needed. Errors in judgment may cause significant short-term and long-term impact to supervisor, co-workers, budgets, and project schedules.

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All full-time regular associates are offered competitive salaries, experience career growth, and are eligible for benefit packages that include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, 401k employer match, excellence rewards, wellness programs, and much more. With our Sunday property operations office closures, 10 paid holidays, and 15 PTO days, work/life balance is a priority! Additionally, most positions are eligible for a housing discount of 20%.

Essex provides great communities in which to live, work and invest. We are a purpose-driven company, and we pride ourselves on promoting an internal culture of growth and opportunity by engaging, enabling, and empowering our teams. Working at Essex is not a destination. It is a journey where you can confidently build your career.

The salary range for this position is $91,000.00 - $136,000.00 per year. New hires generally start between $91,000.00 - $114,000.00 per year. The final salary offer will be determined after reviewing relevant factors, including but not limited to skill sets; relevant experience; internal equity; and other business and organizational needs.

This role is also eligible to participate in Essex’s discretionary Annual Bonus program that is commensurate with the level of the position.