Senior Design Account Executive

This role is responsible for building and growing relationships with top residential interior design firms to increase specification and preference for Sherwin-Williams products, driving sales growth within the Residential Repaint market. The position combines strategic account development, team leadership, industry engagement, and cross-functional collaboration while serving as a trusted advisor to designers, architects, and decorators and acting as a brand advocate for Sherwin-Williams.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

This position is responsible for developing relationships with the top 200 Residential Repaint design firms within the Division to convert competitive paint brand preference, increase product and color specification that will result in gallon and sales growth for the Residential Repaint Market. This position may be in a Metro/large geography and/or critical competitive markets.

1. Strategic Client Development & Relationship Management
• Document Residential Interior Designers’/Decorators’/Architects’ information in the database.
• Develop a call routine to convert designers from competitive brands.
• Identify opportunity accounts and preferred paint brands.
• Maintain an accurate and updated client database.
• Educate designers on Sherwin-Williams products through in-person, virtual, phone, and email communication.
• Guide designers in specifying the right Sherwin-Williams product for their clients’ needs.
• Utilize internal resources to provide technical assistance and samples.
• Gather painter leads from designers and distribute them to the appropriate sales personnel.

2. Leadership, Mentorship & Team Development
• Act as a trainer and mentor to new DAE team members.
• Develop and manage DAE team activities, including:
o Division-focused market blitzes
o Large trade show involvement (e.g., High Point)
o Mid-year DAE meetings
o Sales meeting breakouts and trainings

3. Cross-Functional & Market Collaboration
• Collaborate with District, Division, and Group colleagues to build cohesive relationships.
• Work with stores and Residential Repaint Representatives to gather designer leads from painters.
• Support DMMs in neighboring non-DAE markets with:
o Color Mix presentations
o Industry trade organization involvement
o Large interior design school engagements
4. Industry Engagement & Brand Advocacy
• Host designer-focused events, including CEUs, to promote the Sherwin-Williams brand.
• Provide color tools and identify presentation opportunities at local interior design schools.
• Support local design organizations (e.g., ASID) through participation in meetings, tradeshows, and committees.

5. Market Intelligence & Reporting
• Provide management with competitive insights related to the designer/architect market.
• Develop and implement strategies for achieving goals and managing time effectively.
• Submit monthly dashboards and biweekly Concur expense reports.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma
• Prior experience as an SW Store Manager, SW Sales Rep or 5+ years’ experience in the Interior
  Design industry
• Advanced in communication, public speaking, presentation skills, especially in virtual formats.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and virtual meeting tools (e.g., Zoom, Teams).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Business or Interior Design
• 1-3 years’ experience as DAE
• Experience with CRM tools and reporting on project activity and trends
• Proficiency with social media platforms for professional engagement
• Skilled in content creation both visual and written

Travel

• 20%