Design Studio Director
Organization: Creative Matters Inc.
Terms: Full-Time
Location: Creative Matters, Toronto Headquarters
Reports To: Managing Partners
Creative Matters is a Canadian-founded design house dedicated to the art of interior textile
expression. Working globally and with a growing presence in Europe, Creative Matters creates
carpets, area rugs, and textile works for private residences, five-star hospitality, corporate
headquarters, the superyacht sector, and leading luxury brands. Drawing on generations of inherited
knowledge and production techniques, the company creates works that connect tradition with
contemporary expression
Role Summary
The Design Studio Director leads the Design team and runs studio operations. This role manages resource planning, process development, and people leadership. It aligns project resources with business priorities, builds studio processes, supports employee growth, and maintains a collaborative, high-performing team. Working with leadership and cross-functional departments, the Design Studio Director sets direction for studio operations, coaches designers, improves workflows, and builds an environment where creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement thrive.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership Studio Strategy
- Build and deliver strategies aligned with the long-term vision and operational goals of the Design Studio.
- Align studio priorities with business needs and support organizational planning.
- Assess studio operations and find ways to improve efficiency, collaboration, and delivery.
- Lead continuous improvement work across team performance and operations.
- Studio Operations Resource Planning & Project Coordination
- Schedule projects and assign designers based on requirements, expertise, availability, and workload.
- Resource projects fully and keep workloads balanced across the Design team.
- Track team capacity, timelines, and competing priorities to protect studio performance.
- Match designers to projects aligned with their strengths and creative interests.
- Plan ahead to support smooth project execution.
- Design Operations & Process Excellence Operational Leadership
- Build, document, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Design department.
- Define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for the Design team.
- Drive adoption of new systems, processes, and tools that raise efficiency.
- Check adherence to procedures and coach where standards slip.
- Review and improve studio workflows for consistency and quality.
- Team Leadership & Development
Leadership & People Development
- Recruit, hire, and onboard new Design team members.
- Coach designers through mentorship, feedback, and development conversations.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, creativity, recognition, and learning.
- Identify individual strengths and create opportunities for technical and creative growth.
- Support internal role changes and succession planning.
Performance Management
- Run regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and touch-base meetings.
- Work with Human Resources to set KPIs and clear expectations for designers.
- Build career paths for long-term development and success.
- Address performance gaps with timely coaching and feedback.
- Team Growth & Employee Experience
Professional Development
- Meet with designers to review workload, mentorship, and career goals.
- Recommend industry courses, certifications, conferences, and design shows.
- Support skill development through training and ongoing education.
- Arrange visits to client offices, project sites, mills, and industry events.
- Balance demanding assignments with creative work to sustain engagement.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Organizational Partnership
- Work with Project Management, Sales, and other departments to align priorities.
- Build strong relationships across the organization to support communication.
- Improve coordination between departments.
- Support company initiatives that drive continued growth at Creative Matters.
Leadership Competencies
People Leadership
- Builds trust through integrity, respect, and accountability.
- Coaches and develops employees through mentorship and feedback.
- Creates an inclusive, collaborative environment where employees feel valued.
- Empowers team members to own their work.
- Recognizes contributions and celebrates individual and team success.
Communication & Relationship Building
- Communicates openly and professionally with employees and leadership.
- Builds relationships through active listening and empathy.
- Handles difficult conversations with fairness and confidence.
- Promotes open communication and knowledge sharing across the organization.
Strategic Thinking
- Aligns studio operations with organizational priorities.
- Sees the bigger picture while tracking operational detail.
- Makes decisions balancing creativity, operational needs, and business priorities.
- Finds opportunities for innovation and improvement.
Performance & Change Leadership
- Sets clear expectations and performance standards.
- Supports employees through change and process improvement.
- Encourages adaptability, learning, and growth.
- Leads by example and drives operational excellence.
- Promotes a culture of active participation, learning, accountability and innovation.
Skills & Qualifications
- Leadership and people management experience in a creative, design, or studio environment.
- Strong grasp of design operations, resource planning, and project coordination.
- Excellent organizational, planning, and scheduling skills.
- Experience building and maintaining operational procedures and SOPs.
- Strong coaching, mentoring, and employee development skills.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities at a high standard.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and planning skills.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in design operations, creative services, architecture, interior design, or a related field.
- Experience leading and developing creative teams through coaching, mentoring, and performance
management.
- Experience with hiring, onboarding, employee development, and performance evaluations.
- Experience building operational processes and improving workflows.
- Experience in a collaborative creative or design environment preferred.
Interested in joining our team? Please send your resume to hr@creativemattersinc.com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
