Authentic Leadership Program Lunch and Learn Session 2026

Licensed Architect/Certified Interior Designer – Designbar

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 a (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: (AIA) Licensed Architect / (NCIDQ) certified 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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & SALES MANAGER – Designbar

Part-Time, Flex Work from Home & In-Office Role

WHO WE ARE
DESIGNBAR is a creative interiors studio that transforms commercial spaces into unforgettable brand experiences. But transformation alone isn’t the goal—emotional connection is.
We don’t just design—we interpret. Translate. Evoke. Our environments don’t just look good; they feel aligned. With every line, material, and moment, we help brands tell stories their audiences can actually feel.
That’s what sets us apart. In a sea of “storytelling designers,” we go deeper—into experience design. Into the emotive layer of space. We create places that don’t just represent a brand—they connect people to it.

This is how we raise the bar.
This is how we do EPIC SH*T.
This is DESIGNBAR.

The Role:
DESIGNBAR has an opening for a highly motivated Business Development & Sales Manager position.
This Flexible, part-time position may become full-time based on performance and business needs.
This is a commission-based role for a psychologically fluent business development leader who understands how to create demand without selling—and close without pressure.
You are both a strategist and a closer. You engineer desire through insight, emotional intelligence, and timing—then confidently guide high-value prospects to decisive action. You don’t chase. You attract. You don’t push. You pull. You will operate at the intersection of creativity, psychology, and revenue.

Requirements/Skills:
• 5+ years of business development experience in commercial interiors, hospitality, or architecture
• A proven record of creating demand and closing high-value deals
• Deep understanding of client psychology and consultative sales
• Relentless follow-through without pressure or ego
• Comfort operating in premium, design-forward environments
• You are highly connected in the commercial real estate and hospitality industry with relationships to local and national developers/investors/hotel owners.

Bonus:
• Experience with boutique design studios
• Fluency in design language and value-based positioning

What you’ll do:
• Create demand through insight-led, vision-driven conversations
• Activate and expand an existing network within hospitality, commercial, and multifamily sectors
• Lead prospects from discovery to signed agreement with clarity and confidence
• Collaborate with the creative team on pitch decks, vision boards, and proposals
• Identify brand-aligned opportunities before they hit the market
• Represent DESIGNBAR at industry events, panels, and curated gatherings

Position Details:
Reports to: Principal & Chief Creative Officer
Location: Flexible / Charlotte preferred

Office & Operations Manager – Designbar

Role Type: Part-Time
(starting as Part-Time or Contract-to-Hire with option to go full time)
Location: Charlotte, NC
Reports To: Principal & Chief Creative Officer

About DESIGNBAR
DESIGNBAR is a hospitality-forward commercial interior design studio known for strategic creativity, strong client relationships, and a modern, tech-enabled approach to operations. We believe great design firms are built on equally great systems — and we’re actively shaping the future of how design businesses operate.

The Role
We’re seeking a highly capable Office & Operations Manager who thrives at the intersection of systems, people, and execution. This role is the backbone of the firm; ensuring that financial operations, internal processes, 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 helps modernize how a design studio operates.

Key Responsibilities:
Operations & Business Infrastructure
• Own day-to-day business operations, including billing, expenses, vendor payments, and internal workflows
• Manage AR/AP processes and coordinate closely with accounting and payroll partners
• 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 clear records for financial tracking and audits
• Liaise with CPA/bookkeeping partners regarding categorization, sales tax, and reporting
• Monitor cash-flow-related admin tasks and flag and act on 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

Who You Are
• Highly organized, systems-minded, and calm under pressure
• Comfortable handling financial and operational information with discretion
• Forward-thinking and curious about how AI and automation can improve workflows
• A strong communicator who brings clarity, not noise
• Experienced in operations, office management, or business administration (design, architecture, or professional services a plus)

Qualifications
• 3–5+ years in operations, office management, or business administration
• Strong working knowledge of financial processes (billing, payroll coordination, expense tracking)
• Proficiency with modern tools (MS Office 365, project management platforms, accounting/payroll interfaces)
• Comfort learning and implementing AI-enabled tools
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, not required

Why This Role Matters
This role directly shapes:
• how smoothly the firm operates,
• how supported the team feels,
• and how scalable DESIGNBAR becomes.

You won’t just “keep things running”; you’ll help build the next chapter of the firm.

Commercial Engagement Project Coordinator – Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The Commercial Engagement Project Coordinator plays a vital role in Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s efforts develop Airport-owned property. This position will perform market research, data manipulation and management, and sophisticated analysis for commercial real estate development projects to increase the Airport’s financial self-sufficiency, as detailed in the Airport Area Strategic Development Plan (AASDP). The ability to think strategically, creatively solve problems, and execute with attention to detail is integral to the role. The ideal candidate thrives in a quantitative research environment; demonstrates intellectual curiosity; enjoys helping executives make informed decisions; and is excited by real estate development practices, public-private partnerships, and economic development strategies. This role reports to the Commercial Engagement Manager.

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