Design Assistant Jobs in Wallingford, CT (NOW HIRING)

Named America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer by Newsweek, Ethan Allen is a leading interior design destination combining state-of-the-art technology with personal service. After more than 90 profitable years in business, we still make about 75% of our custom-crafted products in our North American workshops and have an enduring reputation for quality and craftsmanship. In our global network of Design Centers, we offer complimentary interior design service and sell a full range of home furnishings, including custom furniture and artisan-crafted accents for every room in the home. We believe our associates are our greatest brand ambassadors, and we value talent, entrepreneurial drive, and the ability to build long-lasting relationships with our clients. We're glad you're exploring the possibility of designing your future with us.

General Objectives:

The Design Consultant works closely with the customer in the design center/studio, remotely, online or in the customer’s home to create individualized design solutions to sell Ethan Allen products and services. The designs include space planning, fabric coordination, product selection and overall project design.  Successful execution is evidenced by developing individualized designs and achieving sales goals in a flexible relationship based selling environment.   Some projects may require a team or partnership-based approach.

Design Consultants will be measured based on performance categories (teamwork, customer service, communication skills, decision making, project development, presentation, and technical skills) and benchmarks (Minimum Monthly Sales, Home Calls, Accent Sales, Softgood Sales, Be-Backs, PI, Close Ratio and Ethan Allen Trade Program) that contribute to the success of the Design Center as well as their own individual success. Must be skilled in the use of social media such as blogs, micro-blogs, on-line forum, content sharing web sites and other digital channels established for on-line interaction and connection to promote Ethan Allen’s brand as outlined in Ethan Allen’s Social Media Policy.  

Design Consultants are compensated according to the Design Consultant Incentive Compensation Plan.  Compensation is incentive based with total compensation determined by commissions earned.  Design Consultants are expected to meet or exceed Minimum Monthly Sales and other benchmarks as determined by Ethan Allen.

This is a Full-Time position. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create design solutions that are consistent with the customer’s preference and budget.
• Sell Ethan Allen’s products and services.
• Represent the Ethan Allen brand in all customer interactions. When in the design center professionally greet customers to establish rapport and obtain appointments and in-home consultations. Customarily and regularly make home calls to evaluate the customer’s needs and provide a total individualized design solution that closes the sale.
• Utilize grassroots marketing and a variety of social media platforms to develop and grow the business.
• Educate customers about the complimentary design service Ethan Allen provides, offering as little or as much design service as a customer desires.
• Stay current on design and color trends to create fashionable design solutions.
• Coordinate with the team to provide exceptional service to customers, before and after the sale, by promptly keeping customers informed of their order status including any delays.
• Participate as required in all corporate sponsored marketing and training programs.
• Educate customers on all the Ethan Allen sponsored finance options available to them.
• Contribute towards the development and on-going upkeep of the design center’s portfolio.
• Utilize corporate systems and technology to maximize efficiency in designing projects, creating presentations, and providing professional service for the design team’s customers.
• Enter orders utilizing the retail point of sale system.
• Work cooperatively in maintaining a neat and orderly design center projection.
• Work with the Design Center Leader/Design Sales Leader and Design Consultants to develop business plans and grass roots marketing plans to further our market reach and exceed written goals; monitor effectiveness of the plans.   Provide suggestions to modify plan based on reaching specific goals and objectives.
• Utilize all technology, such as 3-D Room Planner, CRM, Live Chat, etc. to build volume of projects and productive relationships with prospective and current clients.
• Utilize appropriate social media (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to heighten own presence as well as Ethan Allen’s presence. Continually build relationships with outside talent via social media, such as LinkedIn, to build a network in the market. 
• Perform any other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent with relevant work experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year of practical interior design experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a design-related field from an accredited institution, desirable.
• Broad knowledge of interior design and effective sales techniques. 
• Working knowledge of online sales and design tools.
• Good listening skills with excellent oral and written communication skills also required.
• General understanding of how to utilize social media and grass-roots marketing to develop a book of business.   Proven experience preferred.  
• Valid driver’s license, except in limited circumstances in which the associate can establish to the Company’s satisfaction that they have available, for use during all business hours, an alternate means of transportation not requiring the operation of a motor vehicle which will enable them to perform the duties of their position.
• Intermediate skill competency using digital floor planning technology. 3D applications a plus.
• Experience using interactive technology to view design concepts such as augmented reality, virtual reality and other visualization tools.
• Willing and capable of learning new technologies.

Compensation

Our Design Consultants are paid a recoverable draw typically ranging from  $30k to $70k annually based on written sales. The potential income for our experienced Design Consultants average $70,000-$115,000/year, with our top writers making  $200,000 per year or more.

Benefits

Benefits are an important part of the total compensation that is offered, providing peace of mind and financial well-being.  Ethan Allen is committed to offering a variety of benefits that allow associates to choose whether or not to participate based on personal and family needs.  Some of the benefits offered are 401(k) plan (with Employer contributions), multiple Medical Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage, Health Savings Account (including Employer contributions), Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Basic Group Term Life & Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Supplemental Group Term Life & AD&D Insurance, Dependent Group Term Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, Business Travel Accident Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Health Care & Dependent Care, Commuter Saving Plans – Public Transit & Parking, Voluntary Whole Life Insurance, Voluntary Critical Care Insurance, Voluntary Accident Insurance and Employee Assistance Program. Benefit availability varies based on full-time or part-time employee classification.