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Interior Design Director Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

The Interior Design Leader partners closely with the Architecture Design Leader and cross ... direct-report managers so leadership capability compounds across team layers. * Cross-Functional ...

At IA Interior Architects, the Design Director sets a clear vision for design excellence and leads the studio in delivering innovative, high-performing environments. This role partners closely with ...

At IA Interior Architects, the Design Director sets a clear vision for design excellence and leads the studio in delivering innovative, high-performing environments. This role partners closely with ...

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Showing results 1-20

Interior Design Director information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$64.3K

$128.2K

$192.3K

How much do interior design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for interior design director in Seattle, WA is $128,241.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,400.00 and $151,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an interior design director?

Interior Design Directors are senior professionals who oversee the creative and operational aspects of interior design projects within organizations or design firms. They lead teams of designers, manage client relationships, and ensure that design concepts align with client goals, budgets, and timelines. Their responsibilities include developing design strategies, reviewing project progress, and maintaining high standards of quality and innovation. Interior Design Directors also stay updated on industry trends and often play a key role in business development and staff mentoring.

What is the role of an interior design director?

The role of an interior design director is to oversee interior design staff while completing a variety of high-level creative duties. As an interior design director, your responsibilities include developing marketing strategies for the team, meeting with clients, giving direction to staff, and monitoring the progress of projects and plans. You may also answer questions or make ultimate decisions about furniture choices, finishes, room layouts, and other design concepts. Other duties include leading the conceptual phase of a project and overseeing the final results through mentorship and coaching.

How does an interior design director typically collaborate with other departments and stakeholders during a project?

An Interior Design Director plays a pivotal role in cross-departmental collaboration, frequently working with architects, project managers, engineers, and clients to ensure design concepts align with project goals and constraints. They are responsible for communicating the design vision, integrating feedback, and resolving conflicts that may arise between aesthetic aspirations and technical requirements. This collaborative approach ensures that projects stay on schedule, meet budgetary guidelines, and deliver cohesive, functional results. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential, as the Director often leads design presentations and coordinates with vendors and contractors throughout the process.

What skills does a successful interior design director have?

To thrive as an Interior Design Director, you need extensive experience in interior design, a relevant degree, and proficiency in project management. Mastery of design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with industry certifications like NCIDQ, is highly valued. Leadership, creative vision, and effective communication are critical soft skills for guiding teams and managing client relationships. These capabilities ensure successful project delivery, innovation, and client satisfaction in a competitive design environment.

What is the difference between Interior Design Director vs Interior Designer?

AspectInterior Design DirectorInterior Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or master's in interior design, often with leadership experienceBachelor's degree in interior design or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, manages teams, interacts with clients and stakeholdersWorks on individual projects, designs spaces, collaborates with clients and contractors
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, project oversight, team management, client relationsConcept development, space planning, material selection, design execution

The main difference is that the Interior Design Director holds a leadership role overseeing multiple projects and teams, while the Interior Designer focuses on creating and executing individual design projects. The Director's role involves strategic management and higher-level decision-making, whereas the Designer is more hands-on with the creative process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Interior Design jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Interior Design jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Interior Design Director jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Interior Design Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Interior Design Director job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,241 per year, or $61.7 per hour.

Director - Interior Design

Bellevue, WA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

DAHLINis a diverse, award-winning architecture, planning, and interiors firm practice with officeslocated throughout the Western United States.We offer 50 years of experience building communities where we live and work, driven by the vision of creating places that promote human fulfillment and well-being. This samePassion for Placeยฎstarts with our own working environment - a positive community where people thrive. Please visit our website (www.dahlingroup.com) to learn more.
The Director - Interior Design will serve as DAHLIN's market ambassador for the Pacific Northwest Interior Design sector, helping strengthen the firm's reputation, expand its client portfolio, and drive sustainable revenue growth through strategic relationships and market leadership.
This hybrid doer-seller leadership role combines high-level business development with deep interior design expertise and credibility to advise clients on interior design, procurement, and project delivery. The ideal candidate brings an established network of developers, owners, builders, investors, and industry partners throughout the Pacific Northwest, along with a proven track record of generating new business.
Working closely with firm leadership, practice leaders, and marketing, this individual develops market strategies, identifies emerging opportunities, leads pursuit efforts, and serves as a trusted advisor throughout the client lifecycle-from initial relationship development through project execution. Success in this role is measured by revenue growth, expansion of strategic client relationships, development of a robust pipeline, market influence, and long-term partnerships that reinforce DAHLIN's leadership throughout the Pacific Northwest.
How We Lead
We believe organizational health is our greatest competitive advantage. We expect every member of our leadership team to put the interests of the enterprise ahead of their individual goals and to actively contribute to the health and effectiveness of the firm. Technical excellence matters, but we believe healthy leadership teams outperform brilliant but dysfunctional ones. We value humility over ego, clarity over complexity, and teamwork over individual achievements.
What You'll Do
Strategic Business Development
  • Develop and execute DAHLIN's Interior Design business development strategy for the Pacific Northwest, aligned with firmwide growth initiatives.
  • Leverage an established network ("book of business") to generate new client relationships and project opportunities.
  • Lead business development efforts focused on interior design in collaboration with architectural leaders and the firm's marketing team .
  • Build relationships with developers, owners, municipalities, brokers, consultants, contractors, and industry influencers.
  • Represent DAHLIN at industry organizations, conferences, speaking engagements, and community events.
  • Develop annual market development plans identifying target clients, market sectors, revenue opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with developers, ownership groups, investors, and strategic partners to expand DAHLIN's market share throughout the Pacific Northwest..

Client and Sales Leadership
  • Build and lead executive-level meetings with owners, investors, and development teams.
  • Act as a trusted advisor by understanding client business goals and aligning DAHLIN's services accordingly.
  • Ensure exceptional client experience from pursuit through project completion.
  • Lead major pursuit strategies and Go/No-Go decision-making.
  • Partner with Marketing and technical teams to position DAHLIN competitively.

Technical, Market, and People Leadership
  • Utilize interior design and architectural expertise to engage clients in meaningful discussions regarding design solutions and project delivery.
  • Provide technical insight that builds client confidence and differentiates DAHLIN from competitors.
  • Partner with practice leaders to position DAHLIN's design expertise as a competitive differentiator during client pursuits.
  • Monitor interior design trends and competitive market conditions to identify emerging opportunities.
  • Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team environment that supports engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Provide coaching, technical guidance, and professional development opportunities that help team members grow and perform at their highest potential.
  • Establish clear performance expectations and promote open communication to align individual contributions with firm goals.
  • Mentor interior designers and project leaders in business development and client engagement.

What You Bring
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture.
  • Certified Interior Designer (CID) preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressively increasing management and leadership experience within highly regarded design firms.
  • 10+ years of successful business development experience.
  • Experience working in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Must be legallyauthorized to work for any employer in the United States without any restrictions. Please note that visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leading complex pursuit strategies and negotiating professional service agreements.
  • Excellent presentation, communication, and executive relationship-building skills

Leadership Competencies
  • Demonstrates genuine humility while possessing strong professional confidence.
  • Comfortable engaging in healthy conflict rather than avoiding difficult conversations.
  • Values team success above personal recognition.
  • Naturally seeks clarity before consensus.
  • Believes culture is measurable, manageable, and every bit as important as financial performance.
  • Holds peers accountable with respect and courage.
  • Enjoys building trust before building process.

Why Join DAHLIN?
We offer a competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer the opportunity to participate in a pre-tax Flexible Spending plans for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and 401k.
The salary range for this position is$150,000-$162,500 depending on qualifications.Placement within this pay range will be determined by factors such as education, qualifications, project complexity and/or experience. The maximum is reserved for candidates who currently meet all job requirements. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
One last note...We regret that due to the large volume of inquiries, we are unable to accept phone calls regarding the status of applications. We'll be sure to contact you if we need more information. Apply now!
#LI-Hybrid
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to welcoming and supporting a diverse community of professionals. As such, women and people of color are especially encouraged to apply. Our firm participates in E-Verify.
DAHLIN is committed to integrity in hiring. Please click here for an important notice on Recruitment Fraud.
DAHLIN values your privacy. Please click here for additional information.
We do not accept resumes from recruiters, placement agencies, or other staffing vendors who have not signed an agreement with us. Unsolicited resumes will be ineligible for referral fees.