We are looking for a Lead Senior Designer to join Studio Trovato in a highly hands-on role spanning project leadership, design, construction administration, and day-to-day studio operations.
This is not a traditional management position. You will be actively designing, problem-solving, coordinating, presenting, reviewing, and helping move projects forward alongside the two co-founders and our network of contractors and collaborators.
The right person is an experienced designer who can confidently take ownership of a project from early concept through installation, while also helping us maintain the organization, rigor, and momentum required to run a thoughtful and growing studio.
You should be comfortable operating independently, making sound decisions, anticipating needs, and knowing when to bring the principals into the conversation.
Location: San Francisco / Bay Area
Schedule: Part-time contract, approximately 25 hours/week to start
Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience
Potential: Opportunity to transition into a salary employee role and grow into full-time based on mutual fit and studio needs
*Design + Technical Execution*
Lead high-end residential projects from concept through construction, procurement, installation, and styling
Develop design concepts, space plans, finish palettes, furniture plans, presentations, and sourcing with the Studio Trovato principals
Produce and review plans, elevations, RCPs, details, schedules, and construction documents
Develop custom millwork, cabinetry, built-ins, and architectural details
Translate creative concepts into thoughtful, technically sound, buildable solutions
Ensure accuracy and consistency across drawings, specifications, and deliverables
*Project Leadership + Management*
Own assigned projects from kickoff through punch list, managing scope, timelines, budgets, and design hours
Serve as a primary contact for clients, architects, contractors, consultants, fabricators, and vendors
Lead client presentations, site meetings, and project follow-ups
Coordinate with architects and contractors throughout construction and address field conditions as needed
Review shop drawings, submittals, samples, and RFIs against design intent
Oversee procurement in partnership with our procurement expeditor
Help lead installations, punch walks, and final styling
Proactively identify and resolve issues affecting schedule, budget, or design intent
*Studio Operations + Collaboration*
Help keep project schedules, meetings, deadlines, files, and internal workflows organized and on track
Review deliverables for quality, accuracy, and consistency
Work closely with both co-founders on creative direction, project strategy, detailing, and material development
Collaborate with outside designers, drafters, consultants, and project partners
Thrive in a small, collaborative studio where roles overlap and everyone contributes
Exercise sound judgment around when to take ownership and when to bring the principals into a decision
Provide guidance to junior designers as the team grows
About Studio Trovato
Tro-va-to: Italian for Found
Studio Trovato is a San Francisco-based design studio specializing in bespoke residential interiors and boutique commercial projects rooted in intentional, timeless design.
Founded by Jeanne Chan and Erin Hiemstra, our work is layered, personal, and deeply considered. We believe the most compelling interiors are collected over time, balancing refinement with soul, trend-immuned, and shaped by the way our clients want to live.
Our approach embraces slow design, circularity, artisanship, sustainability, and connection. We work with a collector’s mindset and place a strong value on emerging artists, independent makers, skilled craftsmanship, and talents within the BIPOC creative community.
We are a small but mighty studio, and we’re looking for someone who wants to play a meaningful role in both our projects and the continued growth of the practice.
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