Design Assistant/Executive Assistant
A privately held residential real-estate development company in Dana Point, is seeking to hire a short term, part-time and/or contract employee to assist the owners and General Contractor(s) in the extensive design, remodeling, and furnishing of semi-custom, to fully custom, high-end fine homes. The company is willing to train the right candidate to meet the
requirements of the role. All properties are located in South Orange County (All properties many under project now- - are within a 15-mile travel radius – Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano).
The purpose for this new position is because the executives of the company want to go “in house” for purchasing in as many areas as they can. Our goal, is to where possible, save money by not having to hire independent 3rd party design firms. Our growing company has enough growth and product now and hopefully will for a long time into the future, that we prefer to hire our own full-time executive/design assistant.
The primary function of our business success is to remodel, then rent, lease, or sell, beautiful homes - fully furnished. We have many years of success!
This position is also because the executives of the company want to be very involved in approving the styles, furniture, and accessories that go into each remodel.
Our company believes the internet has completely innovated for the better! – the interior design business. For example, in the past, many home improvement and design products, including soft or fixed surfaces, had only been available and limited to “licensed” companies or ‘licensed’ persons “in the trade.” This was the case for
decades. The internet has changed almost all of that. While our company greatly welcomes applicants who are licensed and/or experienced designers - - and hope many do! - - a designer’s “license” is not a requirement for this position.
The substantial ‘mark-ups’ which full service “design firms” charge is being revolutionized by the internet. For example: Independent manufacturers have started making and offering furniture, fixtures, accessories, and
art, -in mass-, online, from their own web sites, as well as bricks and mortar stores. This removes some or all
the necessity for a ‘middle’ designer. Now, any consumer with a computer can buy from these vendors and take delivery right to their door. Further: E-bay, Google, Craig’s list, and other similar websites of large and small manufacturers, have opened up a world of accessibility for on-line design shopping, including the postings of “open houses” of actual homes, picturing many fine items in excellent used condition for sale. Readily accessible Estate sales within a 90-mile radius of our offices are posted online. Homeowners using E-bay and other websites, present offerings on-line of beautiful (fully acceptable to our company of used or ‘like new’ furnishings).
Our company needs an assistant who will help us save substantial money by going ‘direct.’ We have found with the internet, countless ‘for-sale-by-owner’ items provide ideal finds at heavily discounted, even ‘rock bottom’ pricing – saving thousands, even tens of thousands.
New start-up Independent Small Boutique Firms which make beautiful accessories and furniture, are opening in remote, small towns; or large cities across the country and world. These startups now fill the internet with their impressive websites and products. Even more: Each new month - Amazon, Costco, E-bay, Google, and other rising star “on-line” internet shopping behemoths - offer products, and services, and delivery rates
rarely seen in the design business until now.
Therefore: This position requires extensive online computer sourcing and shopping, and extensive internet searching, and phone calling, for the finding of many of the items our company seeks to purchase at deep discounts. This sourcing, done by you, includes hard surfaces, such as various types of flooring: wood, carpet, stone, ceramic, etc; to cabinetry, sinks, faucets, toilets, full kitchen appliance remodels, laundry appliances,
lighting of all types, including chandeliers.
The traditional route of visiting Home Depot, Lowes, Saks Fifth Ave., Neiman Marcus, Ethan Allen warehouses, in person, or online for monthly or holiday sales is encouraged as well. These “traditional” retailers obviously know, in order to survive, they too must offer steeply discounted competitive pricing in order to attract customers. You may also be assigned go to the LA furniture wholesale district, other furniture marts in north Orange County, antique stores in Orange county, and/or very rarely nationally recognized design sales events in Vegas, Atlanta, High Point. You may be asked to go to other large scale designer sales in locations throughout the U.S.
One of our current custom home projects provides a unique opportunity for old world French design. If you admire the interior decorating work by nationally recognized designer Betty Lou Phillips, and other comparable current French designers, and have a flair for grand Parisian design as found in the old French Loire Valley estates, or grand apartments and hotels of Paris, you will really enjoy this position.
Our performance demands will be very exciting for the right person. To succeed in this unique position, you must work full-time, going to and from our offices in Dana Point, to each close-by property. All homes are currently within 15 miles or less of our company office.
At the core of this design position are (1) Listening carefully to the company executive(s) plans, (2) carefully taking and following direction, (3) being flexible, and (4) enjoy the challenge of sourcing furnishings and accessories in a practical, very cost-saving way. If you don’t enjoy ‘comparison’ sourcing/shopping, please
do NOT apply.
Executive assistant support is an important aspect of this position as you may be asked to work in other executive support areas from time to time.
RESPONSIBILITIES include:
Visit each property when assigned and help develop the design based on the company’s vision for the home. You may be asked to work on only one property at a time, or possibly more depending on the company’s economies of scale analysis.
Help prepare and present an overall ‘look’ for the home. This includes doing a match conceptual design from photos found in prestigious magazines like Architectural Digest and professional design books, with the company’s vision; so you can easily know what ‘design look’ to prepare and deliver. (If we can find the design, we are looking for in a design book or magazine – and replicate it – then there is no need to reinvent the
wheel!)
Assist in the procurement of hard service purchases (flooring, cabinetry, exterior and interior paint colors and moldings, kitchen and bath remodels, etc. by making recommendations and getting approvals in writing (to make purchases).
Organize ‘actual cost’ presentations of soft goods – including furniture and accessories for each home – in writing – before making any purchases.
Search on-line sources and develop a ‘company shared’ software database of all vendors and items found by price. This is so other executives can help make decisions by visiting the data room while traveling.
Travel as needed to furniture showrooms, warehouses, design shows, estate sales, to
find pieces (mileage and/or company vehicle will be furnished). Have the skill set to
negotiate prices on sight at these sales, and then be ready to use FaceTime to the
company executives to show what you have found, and think should be purchased on
the spot.
Prepare ‘conceptual’ furniture choices with photos, prices, and descriptions.
Communicate each purchase opportunity very clearly, in writing, before committing to make any purchase! Texting or emailing photos to smart phones, with a return confirmation email or text back from the company executive(s) stating: “purchase it” eliminates any need for miscommunication or wrong purchase.
Follow up with vendors to insure accurate and on time deliveries.
Carefully Manage paperwork, by formally documenting in writing warranties, guarantees, actual printed purchase orders, and inspections of each purchase before, and/or at the time of delivery.
Completing any design-related myriad of ‘errands’ as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Be trained in, or have studied interior design - show any past or current certifications or licenses.
Proficient in creating technical design drawings using AutoCAD and other rendering programs
Have at least some, but preferably, extensive experience sourcing high-end furniture and accessories.
Must be willing to live (move) within a 15-mile radius of Dana Point so as to avoid a long commute.
Share a passion for old world French residential design and architecture.
Be detail oriented. Enjoy organizing a formal prepared presentation with all the data that goes into each home.
Show creativity in finding ways to save money.
Be positive and friendly when challenges or problems arise unexpectedly.
Be responsible, and punctual, for all appointments and daily work schedule.
Dress professionally and formally – no work ‘jeans’ or casual clothing except on specific delivery days, or other days that require it. FYI: The company executives and support staff– female and male – dress attire is semi formal, including dresses, business suits and ties, etc.
Extremely important: Be humble and happy to follow design directives, keep your ego intact; and above all: Remember you are here to implement the company’s home design - not yours. If you are only interested in implementing your design agenda, or historical training, and past work style, and/or unwilling to accept the company’s vision for each property, please do not apply. This is not a position where we are counting on
your personal taste. Instead, you will be instructed and expected to fully understand what the company likes/wants, and deliver it. It is the company you are serving – not your personal tastes. That said, we welcome your style ideas so long as you are not offended if they are not selected.
Display a positive mental outlook, making the best of each day.
Be service oriented - always looking for what more can be done to help.
Have an optimistic, ‘can-do’ attitude. Enthusiasm and bringing an energetic spirit to your work is essential. Negativity or dour mood swings are grounds for immediate suspension and/or separation.
Be cheerful and energetic.
Excellent attendance, punctual on time work arrival.
Agree to sign a detailed, lengthy formal Confidentiality Agreement regarding each property, its location, etc. This is required by you – not optional (so as to protect the privacy of the company and its clients).
Normal work hours required - 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., M-F, two 15 min breaks, one-hour lunch. Or, 9-to-5:30
if you prefer a half hour lunch. (We prefer 8:30 to 5:30 please.)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Personal car to get to and from our office and/or assigned job site. Mileage to multiple job sites and all errands run will be reimbursed according to state and Federal law. (A company vehicle may be provided). A Smart phone - iPhone – will be provided to you for calling, sending pictures, email, and text, etc. If you do not want to work with an iPhone, please do not apply, as our company software requires Apple products. Apple Laptop will be supplied to you for on-line searches for furnishings, etc.
COMPENSATION:
We do not have a minimum or maximum as we want to encourage as many applicants as possible. Base hourly wage will be decided on a number of factors including, but not limited to: experience, education, work history, and overall skill set. Please e-mail your resume and work samples/portfolio, and or social media link(s)
if you prefer. Include your GPA on your resume if you have graduated in last 10 years. Please include in your resume your past work history, and desired compensation. Important: If you do not include your desired compensation, please understand you may, or may NOT be contacted. If you are interviewed, please be prepared to submit at least three past employer references at the end of the interview. If you are new to the full time workforce, please be prepared to provide three references of persons who have known you in some professional, or scholastic, or trade, or school, or part-time work capacity.
APPLICATION RESPONSE POLICY:
Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. If you are not contacted
for this position, please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for your interest!
MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Our highly successful, privately held, residential real estate development company – does not advertise. If we like your application, we will email you for an interview. Careful respect for privacy and confidentiality are our company’s business model and for our organization, and a requirement from our cherished clientele. Some of our clienteles are high net worth individuals, which require the utmost privacy and confidentiality. Each of our client’s prefer thoughtful confidentiality. All of our business success, past and present, is by word of mouth – we have never advertised, and do not intend to advertise in the future. The company executives have a special appreciation for old world design, including western European fine art, furniture, fixtures, and architecture as found in historical homes and estates of Paris, London, Rome, Venice, Prague, Munich, Salzburg, etc.
The company executives have a good eye for design, and surround themselves with positive, talented people who are enthusiastic about life and creating beautiful settings! This is an amazing place to work
Please send your resume and cover letter to: Inquiries@SeaEquities.com
Location: Scenic offices in Dana Point.
Applicants only. Recruiters, please do NOT contact this job poster.
Equal Opportunity Employer
