New York, USA
Sales lead and studio operations manager
at JM Szymanski Workshop and Gallery
JM Szymanski Workshop and Gallery is hiring a sales lead and studio operations manager to join its team in New York.
J.M. Szymanski is a New York–based design studio producing one-of-a-kind furniture and architectural objects for the interior design trade. Our Workshop and Gallery is located in Port Morris, Bronx, very near Manhattan. This is a leadership role within a small but rapidly growing elite furniture company.
You will be the company’s operational right hand and a primary driver of growth. This role focuses on high-level sales, project oversight, and client management. You will work directly with Jake Szymanski (founder and creative director) and serve as his and the studio’s operational anchor. We are seeking someone committed to the long-term growth of the company. In return, J.M. Szymanski offers strong potential for career development as the business scales. It is an exceptional moment to join the leadership team.
Primary responsibilities
Sales and pipeline management
The sales lead will own monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets across direct, trade, wholesale, and third-party sales. The sales lead is responsible for meeting sales targets, forecasting performance, and developing actionable strategies to meet revenue goals. The sales lead is responsible for maintaining current business and identifying new business opportunities, accounts, and partnership channels. Maintain accurate sales reporting and client lists, and monitor and deliver regular reporting to leadership.
Client sales and relationship management
The Sales Lead will serve as the central point of contact for designers, architects, collectors, vendors, and creative partners – acting as the face of the company and delivering exceptional service at every stage. Responsibilities include handling inbound inquiries, managing active client relationships, generating formal quotes, and driving all leads through to closed sales. You must understand the custom fabrication process – its nuances, variables, and constraints – and have experience working for a company with in-house production.
High-level project oversight and production coordination
This role ensures accurate communication between clients and the production department. Responsibilities include setting priorities with the fabrication team, leading weekly production meetings, and monitoring progress on all active jobs. All work must meet the studio’s standards for precision and a very high level of quality control. The Sales Lead will also coordinate with the shipping department to ensure furniture pickups and client sample requests stay on schedule.
Quality control and final sign-off
The sales lead conducts the final review of each completed piece – verifying measurement accuracy, finish quality, and alignment with client expectations. Final approvals are coordinated with both the client and Jake before pieces move to photography or delivery.
Coordination with the photo department
Collaborate with the photography team to document new and custom pieces for the portfolio, archive, and client records.
Studio calendar and client scheduling
Maintain the master studio calendar, managing client meetings, project milestones, production checkpoints, and internal reviews. Ensure all stakeholders – clients, fabricators, and Jake – remain aligned on timelines.
Compensation
Competitive base salary with commission-based compensation (100k – 160k) and additional incentives once certain sales thresholds are met. Health insurance and generous PTO.
Qualifications
Candidates must come from a high-end design studio, gallery, or fabrication environment where sales, project oversight, and client communication intersect. Experience handling high-value clients, selling custom or made-to-order work, and supporting fabrication teams is required. Fluency in design language, strong communication skills, and familiarity with technical drawings and fabrication processes are essential.
Candidates must be polished and confident in designer environments, able to lead design meetings both in our gallery and in client offices. A professional presence, strong presentation skills, and the ability to guide conversations with top-tier designers and architects are mandatory. Candidates must also be open to solo travel for client meetings in key market cities.
Personal attributes
We need someone organized, proactive, steady under pressure, and capable of representing the studio with clarity and authority. Someone who can introduce new systems, refine existing ones, and bring operational ideas to the table. The ideal candidate is comfortable leading high-level design discussions, presenting concepts, and commanding a room – whether in our gallery or at a major design firm. Professional polish, confidence in client-facing environments, and a refined eye for design and craft are essential. Acting as Jake’s right hand – protecting his time and maintaining the studio’s standards – is central to this role.