CREW Charlotte New Member Breakfast – Spring 2026

Business Development & Sales Manager – Designbar

We are seeking a highly strategic Business Development & Sales Manager who understands how to create demand without pressure and close opportunities through insight, emotional intelligence, and timing.

This role sits at the intersection of creativity, psychology, and revenue. You are not a traditional salesperson, you are a relationship-builder, strategist, and closer who attracts aligned clients and guides them confidently to decision-making.

You are highly connected in the world of Commercial Real Estate with strong relationships to Brokers, Investors, Developers and Owners.

Responsibilities
– Create demand through insight-led, vision-driven conversations
– Activate and expand an existing network within hospitality, commercial, and multifamily sectors
– Lead prospects from discovery through signed agreement with clarity and confidence
– Collaborate with the creative team on pitch decks, vision boards, and proposals
– Identify brand-aligned opportunities before they reach the open market
– Represent DESIGNBAR at industry events, networking events, panels, and curated gatherings
– Maintain consistent follow-through and pipeline visibility without aggressive sales tactics

Requirements/Skills
Educational Background
– Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred

Experience
– 5+ years of business development or sales experience
– Background in commercial interiors, hospitality, architecture, or adjacent industries strongly preferred
– Proven track record of creating demand and closing high-value deals
– Existing relationships within commercial real estate, hospitality, or development sectors

Technical & Strategic Skills
– Strong consultative sales skills with an emphasis on value-based positioning
– Comfort collaborating on proposals, presentations, and strategic pitches
– Ability to manage leads, opportunities, and follow-up with discipline and structure

Communication Skills
– Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
– High emotional intelligence and strong listening ability
– Comfortable leading high-level conversations with owners, investors, and executives

Time Management & Autonomy
– Highly self-motivated and disciplined
– Able to manage a flexible schedule while consistently driving results
– Comfortable working independently while remaining aligned with leadership and creative teams

Professional Attributes
– Confident, polished, and credible in premium, design-forward environments
– Relentless follow-through without ego or pressure
– Operates with integrity, discretion, and professionalism

Adaptability
– Forward-thinking and open to using AI, automation, and modern tools to support prospecting, research, and follow-up
– Comfortable adapting messaging and approach based on audience and opportunity
– Interpersonal Skills
– Strong relationship-builder with long-term mindset
– Collaborative by nature, able to partner seamlessly with creative leadership

Position Details
– Employment Type: Part-Time, flexible schedule (with potential to transition to Full-Time)
– Compensation: 100% commission-based, tied directly to closed business
– Growth Opportunity: Opportunity to grow into a senior business development or leadership role as the firm scales
– Work Environment: Hybrid of remote work, in-person meetings, and industry events

Office & Operations Manager – Design Bar

DESIGNBAR Creative Interiors is seeking a highly capable Office & Operations Manager who thrives at the intersection of systems, people, and execution.
This role is the operational backbone of the firm—ensuring financial processes, internal workflows, and day-to-day logistics run smoothly, intelligently, and with foresight.
This is not a traditional admin role. We’re looking for someone who thinks proactively, embraces automation and AI tools, and actively helps modernize how a design studio operates.

Position Details
– Employment Type: Part-time (20–40 hours/week), hybrid (Charlotte-based)
– Structure: Starting part-time or contract-to-hire, with potential to move full-time
– Compensation: Hourly for the first 3–6 months, with potential transition to salaried role with benefits based on performance
– Reports To: Principal & Chief Creative Officer
– Growth Opportunity: Significant opportunity to grow with the firm and expand responsibility over time

Key Responsibilities
Operations & Business Infrastructure
– Manage day-to-day business operations including billing, expenses, vendor payments, and internal workflows
– Maintain operational calendars, deadlines, and compliance items
– Oversee onboarding/offboarding processes and internal documentation
– Support leadership with operational insights and process improvements

Financial & Administrative Oversight
– Coordinate payroll inputs, timesheets, reimbursements, and reporting
– Maintain accurate records for financial tracking and audits
– Liaise with CPA/bookkeeping partners on categorization, sales tax, and reporting
– Monitor cash-flow-related admin tasks and flag risks early

Systems, Tools & AI Enablement
– Maintain and optimize internal tools (project management, payroll, document systems)
– Introduce and manage AI-assisted workflows for admin, reporting, scheduling, and documentation
– Identify inefficiencies and propose smarter, automated solutions
– Ensure team adoption of systems through training and clear SOPs

Office & Team Support
– Manage office logistics, vendors, supplies, and hybrid work coordination
– Support internal communications and team rhythms
– Organize team meetings, retreats, and special initiatives
– Serve as a calm, organized point of contact internally and externally

Marketing & Business Support (Light)
– Support website updates, LinkedIn activity, and internal marketing coordination
– Represent the firm at select industry events when appropriate

Requirements / Skills Education
– Bachelor’s degree in business management, operations, communications, or a related field

Experience
– 3–5+ years of experience in operations, office management, or organizational management
– Strong financial literacy required
– Experience in Interior Design, Architecture, Construction, or Engineering environments is a plus

Technical Skills
– Proficiency in Microsoft Office
– Experience with project management platforms, accounting interfaces (e.g. QuickBooks), and email management tools
– Familiarity with payroll software or payroll interfaces is a plus

Professional & Interpersonal Skills
– Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
– Highly organized, reliable, and discreet with sensitive financial information
– Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
– Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with leadership and creative teams

Adaptability & Mindset
– Forward-thinking and genuinely curious about AI, automation, and smarter systems
– Flexible, solutions-oriented, and energized by improving how things work

To Apply
Please send:
Your resume
A short written response (1–2 pages max) answering this prompt:
“Walk us through a moment when you saw operational chaos, friction, or inefficiency—and how you redesigned the system behind it. What did you notice, what did you change, and what improved as a result?”
Send to info@designbaronline.com
with the subject line: Office & Operations Manager – [Your Name]

If this question excites you, you’re our person

Licensed Architect/Designer – Designbar

We’re hiring a Licensed Architect / Interior Designer.

Not a junior role.
Not siloed.
Not traditional.

At DESIGNBAR, we’re looking for a Licensed Architect (AIA) or NCIDQ-certified & Registered Interior Designer who is deeply fluent in the technical side of design and equally passionate about the future of the profession.

This role sits at the intersection of architecture, interiors, permitting, and technology.

You’ll be a great fit if you:
– Are a Licensed Architect (AIA) or NCIDQ-certified Interior Designer
– Have in-depth experience with construction documents, permitting, and working directly with local authorities
– Are comfortable owning the permitting process and guiding others through it
– Understand consultant workflows
– Enjoy being client-facing and involved across all project phases
– Work seamlessly between architecture and interiors
– Already use—or are genuinely curious about—AI tools (ChatGPT, Midjourney, Revit plugins, etc.) to streamline workflows and enhance design thinking
– Want to help shape what AI-integrated design looks like in real practice, not just conceptually

Role Details
Title: Licensed Architect / Interior Designer
Structure: Contract-to-Hire (1099 to start → potential W2 after 6 months)
Hours: 30–40 hours/week
Location: Charlotte, NC (In Office with remote flexibility)
Compensation: Based on experience and licensure

As a small, agile studio, this is a hands-on, high-impact role. You’ll touch every phase of a project—from concept to permitting to execution—and play a meaningful role in shaping how we work as a firm.

Interested?

Send your cover letter, resume, portfolio, and a short note about how you’ve used (or want to use) AI in your design process to: info@designbaronline.com

Client Services Coordinator – – Colliers

About you

You are an experienced professional looking to take the next step of your career in commercial real estate! Your background includes delivering exceptional sales support to internal and external clients. In this position, you will be supporting marketing, operational duties, and transactional management with a high level of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit – which means YOU will be an integral part of the team’s success.

In this role, you will…

Help oversee the team’s transactions, tracking critical dates and regularly updating clients and colleagues

Maintain company databases to track prospects and business opportunities

Create/format proposals and presentations, collaborating with Colliers Marketing to help curate team marketing collateral

Bring a great attitude in learning the business and local marketplace by attending local business and industry events, networking, and participating in client meetings

Process executed lease/amendment paperwork, create vouchers, collect pertinent documentation, sending tenant/property eblasts, create market surveys, print tour books, schedule tenant tours, etc.

What you’ll bring

At least 2+ years of sales or administrative experience in a professional environment (preferably real estate, sales, legal, architectural, construction or related)

Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign) experience required.

Commercial real estate experience is an asset.

High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

High level of initiative and excellent communications skills, both oral and written

Marketing Manager – Colliers

About the role:

You are an accomplished marketing leader with a proven ability to drive innovative strategies and deliver exceptional results in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. You excel at balancing strategic vision with operational efficiency, ensuring workflows run smoothly while inspiring high-performing teams.

Your expertise spans branding, digital content, property marketing, event planning, and presentation development, and you bring a collaborative approach to working with market leaders, internal stakeholders, and regional partners. You are adept at implementing best practices, leveraging new technologies, and maintaining brand consistency across all initiatives.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, creativity, and organizational skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver impactful marketing solutions that align with business objectives.

In this role, you will:

Lead and manage the local marketing team, ensuring efficient project workflow, resource allocation, and high-quality execution across all marketing initiatives.

Develop and deliver marketing materials for business development, pitches, property marketing, and brand campaigns, ensuring alignment with messaging goals and brand standards.

Collaborate with brokers, client services, designers, researchers, and GIS specialists to create custom content and strategic materials that support client engagement and new business pursuits.

Produce and oversee visual content using Adobe Creative Suite and other tools, including brochures, signage, presentations, maps, and multimedia assets such as videos and photography.

Execute digital marketing initiatives, including email campaigns, social media, website updates, and paid media placements, optimizing for performance and consistency.

Champion brand governance and marketing tools, developing templates, training team members, and promoting best practices and platform technology to ensure brand consistency and operational efficiency.

Track marketing activity and performance, maintain pipeline reports, and provide insights to leadership on project status, team output, and campaign results.

Partner with regional PR to support external and internal communications, including press releases, media outreach, and collateral updates, while staying informed on competitive trends and emerging opportunities.

Act as the local marketing point of contact, collaborating with regional marketing to align on goals, implement programs, and share best practices across the organization.

What you bring:

5+ years’ experience in Marketing – experience within the Real Estate sector is required.
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field.
Experience in commercial real estate, B2B services, or a professional services environment preferred.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).
Experience developing interactive and multimedia presentations (e.g., Ceros or similar platforms).
Skilled in photography and video editing tools and best practices.
Experience with social media scheduling platforms (e.g., Hootsuite) and email marketing platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud).
Familiarity with CRM platforms, CMS tools, and digital analytics dashboards.
Demonstrated ability to use data tracking and engagement metrics to optimize campaign performance.
Working knowledge of automation workflows and AI content tools is a plus.
Experience in SEO strategy and implementation.