Real Estate Interior Designer

The Arbor Collection is seeking a highly organized, creative, and execution-focused Project Manager & Interior Designer to oversee renovations, furnishing, design, and property-improvement projects across our growing portfolio of distinctive short-term rentals and boutique hospitality properties.

This hybrid role is ideal for someone who can develop a compelling design vision—and then manage every detail required to bring it to life.

Key ResponsibilitiesInterior Design

• Develop cohesive design concepts for short-term rentals, luxury homes, and boutique hospitality spaces.

• Create mood boards, furniture plans, finish selections, and room-by-room specifications.

• Select furniture, lighting, flooring, paint, cabinetry, tile, paneling, artwork, and accessories.

• Design memorable, photographable spaces that improve the guest experience and booking performance.

• Balance visual impact, durability, maintenance, budget, and installation timelines.

• Source products, obtain pricing, place orders, and track deliveries.

• Stage completed spaces and coordinate professional photography.

Project Management

• Manage renovation and furnishing projects from initial concept through completion.

• Establish project scopes, budgets, schedules, and task lists.

• Solicit and compare contractor and vendor proposals.

• Coordinate contractors, tradespeople, suppliers, cleaners, and installers.

• Visit job sites regularly to verify progress, quality, cleanliness, and adherence to the design.

• Identify delays or problems early and drive them to resolution.

• Maintain accurate records of selections, costs, orders, warranties, and project decisions.

• Provide ownership with concise updates, photographs, budget reporting, and recommendations.

• Complete final walkthroughs and ensure every space is guest-ready.

Property Improvements

• Evaluate existing properties and recommend improvements with the strongest guest-experience and financial impact.

• Help develop distinctive amenities such as game rooms, theaters, saunas, outdoor entertainment areas, and themed spaces.

• Coordinate repairs, maintenance projects, and property refreshes between guest stays.

• Build repeatable standards for finishes, furnishings, supplies, and installations across the portfolio.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in interior design, construction project management, renovations, hospitality design, or a closely related field.

• Strong aesthetic judgment and the ability to work across multiple design styles.

• Proven ability to manage several projects, contractors, deadlines, and budgets simultaneously.

• Excellent organization, communication, documentation, and follow-through.

• Confidence holding vendors and contractors accountable for quality and timing.

• Ability to make sound decisions independently while knowing when ownership input is needed.

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.

• Proficiency with project-management and design tools is preferred.

• Familiarity with short-term rentals, hospitality, or residential renovations is a strong advantage.

The Ideal Person

You are both creative and operational. You notice the proportions of a room, the quality of a finish, and the details guests will photograph—but you are equally attentive to budgets, delivery dates, contractor performance, and unfinished punch-list items.

You take personal responsibility, communicate problems early, and remain calm when plans change. You do not simply present ideas; you turn ideas into finished spaces.

Success in This Role

Success will be measured by:

• Projects completed on time and within approved budgets.

• Consistent design quality across the portfolio.

• Accurate purchasing and dependable delivery tracking.

• Strong contractor and vendor accountability.

• Fewer missed details and unresolved punch-list items.

• Properties that are durable, operationally practical, and visually memorable.

• Improved guest satisfaction, listing presentation, and revenue potential.

Position Details

• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Work arrangement: Primarily local and in person, with administrative and design work completed remotely as appropriate

• Schedule: Full-time, with occasional flexibility required around installations, renovations, and property turnovers

• Compensation: Competitive and based on experience, with performance incentives available

Compensation:

$70,000 - $110,000

Responsibilities:

• Expand knowledge of current design trends and innovative techniques and materials and implement them in each project
• Determine staging design through client consultations to aid in quick sale of the property
• Aid in the marketing of homes by developing flyers and brochures that highlight specific features and help ensure quick sales
• Manage the process of furnishing and equipment selection, purchasing, and installation so staging is finished in a timely manner
• Collaborate with project management on all construction/design projects in order to meet or exceed clients’ expectations

Qualifications:

• Must hold a Degree/License in Interior Design and have at least 2 years of experience
• Well informed on affordable and functional furniture systems and finishes
• Time management and strong organizational skills are essential
• Strong communication skills with the ability to listen to a client and their needs

About Company

The Arbor Collection is an experiential hospitality and real estate investment company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to designing the most unforgettable short-term rental experiences in Ann Arbor. We combine bold themed design, thoughtful renovations, luxury amenities, and warm hospitality across our growing portfolio. Our vision is to build a values-driven, innovative, and world-class brand in Ann Arbor hospitality while expanding our team and operational excellence.

Learn more at: TheArborCollectionStays.com