Set Decorator

About Strategic Operations, Inc.

Since 2002, Strategic Operations, Inc. (STOPS) has been providing training services and products for the military, law enforcement, first responders, and other organizations responsible for Homeland Security. STOPS is committed to excellence through state-of-the-art live action training support – employing “Hollywood” style special effects, role players, props of all kinds, 3D targets, the re-locatable habitat unit (RHU), and the conversion of shipping containers to create immersive training environments that are the most unique in the industry.

STOPS calls this type of immersion training - Hyper-Realistic® and defines it as “such a high degree of fidelity in the replication of specific conditions in a training environment that participants so willingly suspend disbelief that they become totally immersed and eventually stress inoculated” - all their senses tell them, emotionally and intellectually, that the scenarios are real. It is the ultimate in Theater Immersion Training.

STOPS continues to introduce innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of limited budgets. We are adept at creating real-life training situations/environments or providing safe, sound, and reliable housing for disaster response.

Position Summary

The Set Decorator/Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, coordinating, and arranging set dressing, furnishings, décor, and atmospheric elements that support the creative vision and production requirements of each project. This position works closely with Production, Design, and other stakeholders to develop realistic, visually compelling environments while adhering to approved budgets, schedules, and customer requirements.

The Set Decorator/Buyer researches appropriate furnishings, finishes, props, and decorative elements; coordinates purchases and rentals; and ensures that all set dressing meets established design, quality, budget, and schedule expectations.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Review scripts, creative briefs, research, customer requirements, budgets, and available locations to determine set decoration and dressing needs.
• Develop set decoration concepts that support the overall creative vision, period, location, and intended atmosphere of each set.
• Research and source furniture, draperies, artwork, lighting fixtures, rugs, accessories, finishes, and other decorative elements.
• Prepare and present drawings, layouts, mood boards, reference materials, and other design documentation for review and approval; incorporate revisions as directed.
• Create and maintain purchasing and sourcing lists based on approved designs, budgets, and production requirements.
• Purchase, rent, or otherwise source set dressing and decorative items while obtaining appropriate pricing and maintaining budgetary controls.
• Research architectural, furnishing, and decorative styles to accurately represent specified periods, locations, themes, or environments.
• Collaborate with Production, Direction, Design, and other department leads to establish budgets, schedules, priorities, and design objectives.
• Coordinate the delivery, staging, installation, placement, and removal of set dressing and decorative elements.
• Direct and coordinate set decoration activities to ensure alignment with approved designs, quality standards, budgets, and production schedules.
• Monitor purchased and rented items and maintain accurate records, receipts, invoices, and related documentation as required.
• Identify cost-effective alternatives when necessary while maintaining the desired aesthetic and quality of the finished set.
• Conduct site visits and work with available locations to determine appropriate set dressing solutions and logistical requirements.
• Prepare rough drafts, scale drawings, floor plans, and other working documents as needed to communicate set decoration requirements.
• Collaborate with set construction and other production teams to ensure decorative elements integrate appropriately with the finished environment.
• Resolve sourcing, scheduling, budget, and production challenges in a timely and creative manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of set decoration, interior styling, visual merchandising, or related design disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to create realistic, cohesive, and visually compelling environments.
• Strong creative and conceptual thinking skills with the ability to translate customer and production requirements into effective design solutions.
• Ability to work effectively within established budgets, timelines, and production schedules.
• Strong research, sourcing, negotiation, and purchasing skills.
• Knowledge of furniture, décor, architectural styles, materials, finishes, and historical periods.
• Ability to interpret scripts and other creative materials and translate them into practical set decoration requirements.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and changing production requirements.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions and develop creative solutions in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proficiency with relevant design, drawing, purchasing, and organizational tools as required by the position.

Qualifications

• Direct, relevant work experience in set decoration, set dressing, interior design, visual merchandising, production design, buying, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing and purchasing furnishings, décor, or other design-related materials.
• Experience working within defined budgets and production schedules preferred.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with frequent movement throughout manufacturing, production, warehouse, and set environments.
• Work may involve exposure to varying temperatures, noise, dust, equipment, and active manufacturing or production areas.
• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays as production schedules require.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and move throughout production and set environments for extended periods.
• Ability to remain stationary, including standing or sitting, for extended periods when performing office or production-related duties.
• Ability to safely handle and maneuver set dressing, furniture, décor, and other materials as required.