Design Studio Manager - Cottage
Our friends at Cottage are looking for an amazing individual to manage their network of freelance architectural designers - and design systems platforms to supercharge their work. This team is called the Design Studio, and it might just be your next amazing role! If you’re interested in applying, reach out to us for an intro call or apply here. To learn more, keep reading:
About Cottage
Cottage is solving housing affordability via an end-to-end platform for designing, permitting, and building Accessory Dwelling Units ("ADUs").
Recent regulatory changes have empowered homeowners to build new housing supply out of empty backyards, garages and basements. ADUs can be a great investment for homeowners, naturally affordable housing for renters and steady work for contractors. The COVID pandemic has only created additional urgency for many homeowners who need extra space for loved ones.
That’s not to say it’s easy to build an ADU today. Cottage was born out of the pain points we felt firsthand navigating the process -- from understanding municipal zoning code, finding the right designers and contractors, to keeping a project on time and on budget.
Cottage is backed by top tier seed funds and proptech/fintech angel investors. The founding team are formerly early Uber operations, UberEats growth, WeWork design, and Opendoor expansion. Join us in tackling one of the biggest problems facing cities today.
About the Role
At Cottage, we use technology and operational excellence to offer custom design and construction at a fraction of the cost and timeline of traditional architecture - with a vision to deliver custom ADUs at a speed, quality and price that an individual homeowner can’t access themselves.
To serve our clients, we've built a network of freelance architectural designers - and design systems platforms to supercharge their work. We call this program the Cottage Design Studio. Our goal is to be the best opportunity for early career design professionals to build their skills and portfolio in residential construction
As a Design Studio Manager, you’ll own and manage onboarding, empowerment, and performance management of the Cottage Design Studio. We’re an early stage startup and looking for someone who’s excited to roll up their sleeves and step out of their comfort zone to offer a best-in-category experience - both to our homeowner clients and especially to our network of architects and designers.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of the early team at Cottage, reporting to the Head of Design and working cross-functionally. You’ll gain valuable management experience, become the go-to resource for all designers on the Design Studio, and own the future direction of the Cottage Studio program.
What You’ll Do
Own the future of Design Studio
Own the expansion and structure of the Design Studio to serve our growing pipeline of homeowners with a high-quality design experience
Put us on the map in the architecture world - we want people coming to us for this coveted opportunity!
Mentor, where needed, for architects early in their career and/or working in an arch x tech hybrid environment for the first time
Create a Studio culture we are proud of, in line with the Cottage company culture
Build the best network
Continuously meet and hire the best design talent for the Studio
Develop data-informed methods of resource allocation and planning for Studio Designers - you’ll be in charge of knowing how many designers to hire and when in order to comfortably serve our pipeline
Create the environment for retention - keep our talent engaged and professionally fulfilled via their work with Cottage
Knowledge Sharing & Communication
Develop the various communication methods and cadence (meetings, asynch methods, etc) that enable great design work and smooth Studio operations
Own the training resources for fast onboarding to the Cottage standards, brand, quality level, project lifecycle, and approach to working with clients
Performance management
Develop methods of sharing Cottage and Homeowner feedback with designers
Develop methods of knowing if designers are doing great work or not, and determining how does their involvement with the Studio changes responsively
What You’ll Need
Experience building, mentoring, and managing a team of architecture specialists - if you aren’t an architect yourself, you’ve worked with architects before!
Early/growth-stage tech environment is a plus
Data and product minded with an eye towards scaling
Proven track record of organization, self-management, and delivering at a high bandwidth
Superb graphic, written, and oral communication skills
Passion for real estate, ADUs, and new solutions to impacted housing markets
Collaborative work style; you work well with a cross-functional team and are able to able to prioritize many ideas and inputs
Comfort with a fast-paced, rapidly changing and ambiguous (but fun!) work environment