About Bolt

Bolt is a full-service Design + Build firm and fully insured General Contractor based in Brooklyn. We specialize in design-forward hospitality, retail, and residential projects that merge classical sensibility with innovative construction and fabrication methods. We believe that great design is only as strong as its execution — and that means being just as rigorous about budgets, schedules, and communication as we are about creative vision.

The Role

Bolt is seeking a Creative Director to lead the design vision across hospitality, retail, and residential projects and to inspire, mentor, and guide a growing team of designers. This is a senior, studio-forward role for someone who is both creatively ambitious and deeply grounded in execution.

You’ll oversee a team of 3–6 designers, set the creative direction for projects from concept through completion, and serve as a key creative voice for Bolt — both internally and externally. The role requires strong leadership, exceptional taste, and the ability to clearly present and defend design ideas to clients.

As Creative Director, you’ll help define what Bolt looks like now — and where it’s headed next.

What You’ll Do

• Creative Vision & Design Leadership
  • Define and uphold Bolt’s design vision across all hospitality, retail, and residential projects
  • Set the creative tone for projects from initial concept through construction documentation and execution
  • Ensure design work is cohesive, intentional, and aligned with Bolt’s design standards and brand
  • Lead design critiques and reviews, providing clear, constructive feedback that elevates the work
• Team Leadership & Mentorship
  • Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of 3–6 interior designers across varying levels of experience
  • Set clear expectations for quality, deadlines, and design rigor
  • Support professional growth through regular feedback, guidance, and skill development
  • Foster a collaborative, curious, and accountable studio culture
  • Help recruit, onboard, and develop future design talent as the team grows
• Client Experience & Presentation
  • Lead client-facing design presentations, articulating concepts, narratives, and decisions with confidence
  • Translate client goals into strong, buildable design solutions
  • Navigate client feedback with clarity and diplomacy, maintaining creative integrity while aligning with project realities
  • Partner with leadership on pitches, proposals, and creative strategy for new business
• Design Execution & Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
  • Work closely with Project Managers and construction teams to ensure design intent is carried through to the field
  • Guide teams in resolving design challenges related to budget, schedule, and constructability
  • Oversee FF&E strategy, material palettes, lighting concepts, and key details
  • Ensure drawing sets and design documentation meet Bolt’s quality standards
• Creative Culture & External Presence
  • Stay actively engaged with interior design trends, materials, and cultural influences
  • Attend industry events, openings, and design conversations to keep Bolt creatively relevant
  • Serve as a creative ambassador for Bolt within the design community
  • Help evolve Bolt’s internal design processes, standards, and workflows over time

What We’re Looking For

• Experience & Skillset
  • 4 - 8 years of professional experience in interior design, with a strong portfolio of hospitality, retail, or high-end residential projects
  • Proven experience leading or managing a design team
  • Deep understanding of space planning, materials, lighting, FF&E, detailing, and design storytelling
  • Strong grasp of how design decisions translate into construction and execution
  • Comfort working within a design-build model and collaborating closely with builders
• Leadership & Mindset
  • A confident, thoughtful leader who can set direction while empowering others
  • High standards for design quality — and the ability to help others meet them
  • Clear communicator who gives direct, constructive feedback with empathy
  • Organized and reliable, able to manage multiple projects and priorities
  • Comfortable making decisions and standing behind creative choices
• Client & Communication Strengths
  • Polished and compelling presentation skills
  • Ability to communicate design intent clearly to clients, consultants, and internal teams
  • Experience navigating client relationships and managing expectations
  • Professional, calm, and confident under pressure
• Creative Perspective & Culture Fit
  • Strong point of view paired with curiosity and openness
  • Deep interest in contemporary design, materials, and cultural context
  • Excited to help shape a growing studio and its creative identity
  • Energized by collaboration, iteration, and building things that last
  • Based in NYC or willing to work fully in-person in Brooklyn

Why Bolt

• See your work built — and built fast. At Bolt, you won’t be stuck pushing paper for years before seeing results. Our projects move quickly, and the work you put in becomes something real, tangible, and lasting.
• Be hands-on. You won’t be siloed behind a screen — you’ll be in the field, in meetings, on walk-throughs, and fully involved in the process from start to finish.
• Work in the heart of Greenpoint. Our studio is based in one of Brooklyn’s most creative neighborhoods — surrounded by great food, inspiring spaces, and a thriving design community.
• Join a company on the rise. Bolt is entering a new chapter of growth — and we’re building something special. You’ll help shape the future of the company, not just execute the present.
• Build projects you’re proud of. From thoughtful restaurants to bold retail environments, you’ll be part of a team that sweats the details and cares deeply about design, craft, and execution.
• Work with good people. We’re a tight-knit, driven team that takes pride in what we do — and has fun doing it. We value trust, accountability, and creative problem-solving.

Compensation

This is a full-time, in-person role based in our Greenpoint, Brooklyn studio.

The base salary range for this position is $75,000–$105,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Bolt also offers performance-based bonus opportunities and the chance to play a key role in shaping the creative future of a growing design-build studio.