Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Didi Interiors + Architecture Location: Needham, MA

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule: In-studio, in-person, Monday through Friday

The Opportunity

Didi Interiors + Architecture is a women-led, full-service interior design and architecture firm known for emotionally resonant, highly personalized residential spaces. Founded by Lulu Friedman, DIDI blends creativity, functionality, and purpose to tell each client’s story with clarity and intention.

We are seeking an Operations Manager to act as the operational heartbeat of the firm. This role exists to eliminate bottlenecks, strengthen systems, support designers, elevate the client experience, and ensure the studio runs smoothly, profitably, and sustainably as we grow.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building structure alongside a founder in an evolving, fast-moving studio, rather than stepping into a fully defined operational environment.

This is not a back-office role. This is a leadership position for someone who thinks like a partner, acts with ownership, and moves ideas into execution.

Your Impact

You will:

• Remove the principal as the operational bottleneck so she can remain in her visionary and creative role Create calm, clarity, and flow across projects, people, and processes Ensure the studio scales without burnout Protect what is working while refining what is not

Success in this role looks like a studio that feels organized, energized, communicative, and deeply supported.

Experience & Background

• Proven experience in operations, studio management, or leadership within a creative design firm or professional services firm Strong understanding of project-based businesses, timelines, planning, and capacity management Comfort working closely with a founder to co-create structure , with the ability to take on increasing independent authority over time Experience supporting growing teams through change and scale

Architecture or interior design industry experience is highly valued, though operational excellence in comparable creative environments is equally relevant

Core Responsibilities

Studio Operations & Systems

• Design, implement, and continuously refine systems for project flow, timelines, calendars, and deliverables Ensure projects move forward smoothly and proactively resolve timeline shifts and capacity challenges Organize and standardize processes across all services without overcomplicating what already works Build operational structure that allows the team to do their best work and stay in their areas of strength
• Implement project-level tracking so designers understand performance during and after each project

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Handle team questions, issues, and decisions before they escalate to the principal Foster a culture where communication is open, respectful, and collaborative

Client Experience & Communication

• Oversee client intake, follow-up, and ongoing communication systems Protect the DIDI client experience across all touchpoints

Business Growth & Strategic Support

• Partner with the owner on business growth initiatives, ideas, and exploration Continuously assess studio health and recommend adjustments to team structure, roles, or processes as the firm evolves Build from mistakes and challenges, turning issues into systems and opportunities

Studio Health & Culture

• Maintain DIDI as a place where people are proud and excited to work Ensure accountability without micromanagement, and clarity without rigidity

Who You Are

• A natural leader who earns trust quickly Detail-oriented without getting stuck in perfection Agile, responsive, and comfortable moving fast Calm under pressure and solutions-focused when plans shift Honest, direct, and open in communication Accountable to your word Independent and self-directed Oriented toward results, not over-engineering

You see problems as information. You protect what works. You make everything and everyone more effective without draining the culture.

Benefits & Work Environment

• Flexible schedule within a Monday–Friday work week Warm, supportive, and collaborative studio culture Small to mid-size firm where your work has visible impact Leadership and decision-making A workplace that values trust, clarity, and human connection

This role is central to the future of Didi Interiors + Architecture. You will help shape how the studio grows, how the team thrives, and how meaningful work is delivered.

There is a clear opportunity for this role to grow into a Director-level position over time as the business structure matures.

How to Apply

Please send your resume, and a cover sheet mentioning your favorite color, to [email protected] (subtitle: Operations Manager application)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person