Career: Customer Care/Designer

Location: Ankeny, Iowa

Position Type: Full-Time

About Us:
Happe Homes is a leading homebuilding company dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences through thoughtful design, superior quality, and personalized service. We pride ourselves on building homes that our buyers are proud to call their own. We’re looking for a talented Designer who is passionate about creativity, customer interaction, and a hands-on approach to building our clients’ dreams.

Job Summary:
The Designer will be responsible for overseeing the design selection process, managing customer communications, coordinating with vendors, and maintaining the Design Center. This role involves working closely with buyers, agents, and subcontractors to ensure the design choices align with customer expectations, budgets, and our company standards.

Key Responsibilities:

 1. Customer Communications:

• • Email buyers a welcome email and schedule updates (design meeting, dig date, etc.).
  • Serve as the main contact for buyer and agent inquiries during the build process.
  • Coordinate milestone meetings and walkthroughs (Electrical Walk Through, Trim Walk, Orientation Walk, Acceptance Walk, Closing) by setting up calendar invites and involving necessary parties.

2. Preconstruction Communications & Coordination:

• • Contact vendors, including window, electrical, cabinet, appliance, plumbing, and lighting companies, for quotes and standard layouts.
  • Collaborate with agents and internal teams for updates on build milestones.

3. Spec Design Process:

• • Coordinate with vendors for windows, electrical layouts, and cabinetry.
  • Prepare and update essential documents such as Selection Sheets, Trim & Paint guides, and pricing addendums.
  • Create vision boards for new listings to ensure appealing and marketable designs.
  • Participate in internal trim walks to discuss upgrades and refine pricing.

4. Design Meetings & Upgrades:

• Host design meetings with buyers to guide them through the selection process.
• Manage the selection sheet process, ensuring that buyers approve and sign off on all selections.
• Prepare Pricing Request Forms for vendor upgrades and add markup accordingly.

5. Design Center Ownership:

• • Maintain and update the Design Center to ensure it showcases affordable, quality products.
  • Work closely with subcontractors and vendors to keep pricing current and maintain a wide range of choices.
  • Collaborate with estimating teams to ensure selection accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
  • Implement sales-minded processes and improve efficiency for buyers (e.g., menu-type selection options).

6. Social Media Coordination:

• • Work with the marketing team to develop content for social media related to design, trends, and homes on a consistent basis.

7. Staging & Furnishing:

• • Track staging furniture and coordinate with agents to ensure items are appropriately placed in finished homes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in home design, interior design, or a related role.
• Strong communication skills with experience in customer interactions.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of construction processes and familiarity with vendor coordination.
• Proficiency in design software (SketchUp, AutoCAD, or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Sales-oriented mindset with a focus on providing exceptional customer experiences.

Key Skills:

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain positive relationships with clients, subcontractors, and agents.
• Organization: Strong organizational skills to track the design process, maintain the Design Center, and coordinate milestone meetings.
• Creativity: Ability to create compelling vision boards and manage the overall aesthetic of homes in collaboration with buyers.
• Sales Skills: Ability to sell and offer creative solutions that add value to customers’ homes.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement option
• Professional development opportunities
• New home discount

How to Apply: If you are passionate about home design and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, please send your resume and a portfolio of your work to info@happehomes.com.