At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things, and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

We are seeking a Proposal & Design Manager to join our team. In this role, you will oversee the entire design process, from concept development to project completion. The primary focus is on fostering a collaborative and creative environment where the team of educational designers can thrive and deliver high-quality work. This role will ensure that the team meets customer and internal cross-functional team expectations, adheres to project timelines and produces designs that align with the company’s vision and brand expectations. Applicants should have excellent communication skills, along with the ability to work collaboratively across departments. The ideal candidate is also proactive and self-motivated. 

A day on the job looks like this: 

• Lead and manage a team of educational classroom designers, providing guidance, support and mentorship 
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team culture to ensure high-quality 3-D layouts and design solutions 
• Oversee the conceptualization and development of 3-D classroom layouts, ensuring alignment with educational goals, spatial requirements and aesthetic standards 
• Design and implement training programs for new hires, ensuring a smooth onboarding process 
• Continuously develop and enhance the skills of the team through ongoing training opportunities 
• Handle customer calls, addressing inquiries and concerns, and providing expert guidance on design solutions 
• Collaborate with the Sales team to problem-solve and tailor designs to meet specific customer requirements 
• Manage resource allocation efficiently, ensuring optimal utilization of team members’ skills and time 
• Work closely with project managers to prioritize tasks and ensure timely delivery of proposals and designs 
• Collaborate with Sales representatives to understand customer needs and contribute to the development of winning proposals 
• Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions, optimizing operational processes and resource allocation 
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness 
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies and best practices to keep the team at the forefront of educational design 
• Implement and enforce quality assurance processes to maintain high standards in design deliverables 
• Conduct regular reviews of proposals, layouts and collateral to ensure consistency and alignment with company objectives 
• Generate reports on team performance, project timelines and key metrics for management review 
• Analyze data to identify trends, challenges and opportunities for improvement 
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, external partners and vendors 
• Proactively identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions for process optimization 

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in education or equivalent experience required; advanced degree strongly desired
• 6 years of experience in the field 
• 4 years of experience in position; 6 years preferred 
• 4 years of experience managing people/projects; 6 years preferred 
• Experience with of any of the following: CET, Revit, 3DL or AutoCAD required
• Strong project management skills 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Strong problem-solving skills 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment 
• Team player with a commitment to achieving collective goals 

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Salary: $100,000-$114,500 with an annual bonus of up to 15%
• Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL11