Great Northern Builders, Inc.
Location: South Berwick, ME
Build with purpose. Lead with integrity.
At Great Northern Builders, Inc., you'll find steady, meaningful work, a supportive team, and leaders who value craftsmanship, integrity, and balance. We're a woman-owned, award-winning general contracting company specializing in high-quality residential remodeling, additions, and custom builds throughout the Seacoast of New Hampshire and Southern Maine.
We pride ourselves on being ethical, authentic, and deeply knowledgeable, a team that communicates openly, follows through on commitments, and works together to deliver beautiful, lasting results. Our company operates with the Entrepreneurial Operating System, ensuring structure, accountability, and growth opportunities at every level.
We're looking for a creative, organized, and detail-oriented
Designer to support clients through the design and selections process, helping translate ideas, priorities, and project goals into thoughtful, well-documented design decisions.
Our Core Values
- Well-Built -- Beyond industry standards; beautiful, lasting work
- Ethical -- Grounded in integrity. Accountable in every action
- Authentic -- Honest words. Consistent actions. Real relationships
- Positive Traction -- Progress through challenges; momentum with purpose
- Deeply Knowledgeable -- Craftsmanship rooted in skill, growth, and curiosity.
If you value transparency, craftsmanship, and teamwork, and take pride in doing things the right way, this is the place to do your best work.
Role Overview
The Designer role focuses on guiding clients through design decisions, finish selections, documentation, and coordination from contract through construction. Working closely with clients, Project Managers, vendors, trade partners, and the internal team, you will help ensure that design intent is clearly communicated, selections are accurately documented, and decisions are made in alignment with project scope, budget, and schedule.
This role requires strong design sensibility, excellent communication, comfort with technology and documentation systems, and the ability to manage detailed information across multiple active projects.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Selections
- Guide clients through the design and selections process for remodeling, addition, and custom build projects
- Help clients make thoughtful, practical design decisions that align with their goals, budget, and project scope
- Coordinate finish, fixture, appliance, cabinetry, tile, lighting, flooring, hardware, paint, and other material selections
- Prepare and organize design concepts, selections, inspiration images, samples, and supporting documentation
- Confirm product specifications, lead times, availability, and suitability for each project
- Identify long-lead items and communicate risks early
- Prepare and send selection documents to clients for review and approval
- Follow up on outstanding approvals to keep projects moving forward
- Keep projects aligned with schedule through timely execution of design and selection decisions
Documentation & Coordination
- Ensure all selections and design decisions are clearly documented, approved, and aligned with project scope and budget
- Request, track, and organize vendor quotes for selection items as needed
- Upload and organize digital project records, including quotes, specifications, approvals, invoices, drawings, images, and product information
- Maintain accurate and accessible project information across multiple active projects
- Assist in maintaining selection schedules, design deadlines, and required documentation
- Provide paper copies of information as needed for site use
- Support overall project organization through strong follow-through and attention to detail
Procurement & Ordering Support
- Prepare approved selections for ordering
- Coordinate with the internal team to ensure orders are placed accurately and on time
- Track order status, deliveries, and lead times as needed
- Proactively communicate backorders, delays, substitutions, and product changes
- Coordinate with Project Managers to support timely deliveries to job sites
Systems & Field Support
- Utilize project management software, including JobTread, to manage selections, documentation, and communication
- Ensure digital project information is accurate, current, and easy for the team to access
- Assist with scanning, measuring, photographing, and documenting existing conditions in the field as needed
- Support field teams with clear design documentation and product information
Team, Client & Vendor Coordination
- Communicate design and selection details clearly to clients, Project Managers, trade partners, and vendors
- Confirm specifications and design intent with Project Managers and field teams
- Coordinate showroom visits, vendor meetings, and sample requests as needed
- Build strong relationships with vendors, showrooms, trade partners, and clients
- Help ensure that design decisions support a smooth and efficient build process
Qualifications
- Experience in residential design, interior design, selections, remodeling, showroom sales, construction coordination, or a related field preferred
- Ability to design floor plans and elevations (non-structural) in design software preferred.
- Strong design sense and familiarity with residential finish materials
- Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple active projects, decisions, and deadlines
- Strong communication skills with clients, team members, vendors, and trade partners
- Comfort discussing budgets, options, timelines, and practical project constraints
- Strong comfort with technology and digital systems; JobTread experience a plus
- Ability to learn and use field documentation tools, including scanning or measuring technology
- Proficient with spreadsheets, email, and ability to learn new software
- Self-directed, dependable, proactive, and solutions-oriented
Personal Qualities
- Creative, organized, and detail-oriented without losing sight of the bigger picture
- Calm and solutions-oriented when plans shift
- Strong follow-through and ability to keep decisions moving without needing constant direction
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Comfortable working directly with clients and helping them feel supported through the process
- Takes pride in accuracy, communication, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way
Salary & Benefits
- Full-time, W-2 employee
- Pay: $65,000-$80,000 annual salary, depending on experience
- Paid Time Off: 2 weeks to start; additional 5 days PTO after 2 years
- Paid Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving + Friday after, Christmas Day, and half-day Christmas Eve when applicable
- Retirement: SIMPLE IRA with 3% company match after 90 days
- Health Insurance: Employee premium covered up to $500/month
- Life, Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance: Provided at no cost to employee
- Dental & Vision Insurance: Provided at no cost to employee
- Ongoing training and continuing education opportunities
- Discretionary, performance-based bonuses
Why Work With Us
This is a challenging and rewarding role. At Great Northern Builders, you'll join a team that values honesty, professionalism, creativity, and continuous growth. If you take pride in thoughtful design, clear communication, managing details, and helping projects and people move in the right direction, you'll thrive here.
Great Northern Builders, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.
