The Managing Director is the most senior person in the US business, responsible for its performance, people and reputation. You will lead the Heads of Design and Business Development, working closely with UK leadership and the operations team so every project meets the standard Plain English is known for. Being hands-on in a small, close team, the right person is as comfortable reviewing a kitchen scheme or walking a client through the showroom as with a sales forecast or a budget.
What you will do:
Leadership
- Set direction and priorities for the US business and represent the owners day-to-day.
- Develop the Heads of Design and Business Development, setting clear objectives and holding them accountable.
Build the team and structure the US needs for its next stage of growth, with a culture of clear expectations and a shared pride in the product.
- Develop a long-term growth plan for the US with the owners, including new revenue streams and potential showroom expansion.

Sales and commercial performance
- Own the annual US sales target and budget, tracking pipeline, forecasting and conversion.
Share sales strategy with the Head of Design.
- Own pricing and margin on US projects, approving discounts within agreed limits.

Design and clients
- Set and protect the US design standard, reviewing key schemes so work reflects the brand as Katie and Tony define it.
- Own escalations, complaints and disputes through to resolution.

Showrooms and marketing
- Take overall responsibility for the New York and Los Angeles showrooms -- how they are staffed, presented and run.
- Set global marketing strategy with Head of Business Development.
- Represent Plain English in the US design community, building relationships with architects, designers and trade partners.

Finance and people
- Work with Finance Director on budgets, cash and collections, reviewing monthly management accounts and approving spend.
- Act as senior point of authority on US people matters.

What we are looking for:

- A track record of leading a design and sales team at the top end of the market, in bespoke kitchens, joinery, furniture, interiors or a comparable luxury product, ideally including the US market.
- Experience of running a showroom, studio or business unit with responsibility for its revenue and its people, not only its creative output.
- A real understanding of design and of how a bespoke product is made, so that you can hold the Plain English standard and earn the respect of a team of designers.
- Confident with clients, architects and interior designers at the top end of the market.
- Someone who runs towards problems, is comfortable with difficult conversations, and can hold a line with a client or supplier without losing the relationship.
- Organised and numerate, comfortable with forecasts, budgets and the practicalities of getting a project through a workshop 3,000 miles away.
- Knowledge of both the UK and US design markets is strongly preferred, and the ability to work across time zones with a UK head office is essential.
- Right to work in the US.

Location: New York (51 East 10th Street), with regular time in Los Angeles. Strong candidates based in Los Angeles will be considered.

Hours: Full time. Occasional evening and weekend work for events and client commitments.

Travel: Regular travel within the US between the New York and Los Angeles showrooms and to client sites where senior presence is needed, and periodic trips to the UK head office and workshop in Suffolk.

Reports to: Katie Fontana and Tony Niblock, Owners

Founded in Suffolk, England in 1992, Plain English continues to set the benchmark for cupboards made the old-fashioned way – by hand. Inspired by classic British interiors, our bespoke designs are suited for the Kitchen and beyond: including Pantries, Mudrooms, Butlers Pantries, Sculleries, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Dressing Rooms, Laundry Rooms, Libraries, Home Offices, Bars and Pool Houses.

We are a design studio, sharing our sensibility and craft to deliver the refinement and expertise for which we are known. We welcome visits and projects from individual clients, architects, interior designers and contractors, working together from concept through to installation.

plainenglishdesign.com