Director, Brand Design

Job Summary

The Director, Brand Design leads the design process for new and remodeled Focus Brands restaurant locations. This position oversees the design team’s efforts to create innovative and striking designs that satisfy each Brand’s design criteria and operational standards. The Director collaborates across multiple stakeholders (Brand marketing, Operations, Development team, Vendors, Franchisees, and Franchisees’ A&E Team) to provide status updates, test fits and final conceptual layouts that optimize space, functionality, budgets and Brand identity. The Director will also coordinate all architectural design activities with designated Focus Brands third‑party Design and Architectural Firms and work with other internal Directors to establish standards, economies of scale and best practices for Focus Brands. The Director of Brand Design works collaboratively with the Regional Development Directors to support all new and remodeled Franchise locations, providing support through Design Development phases and leading Design Decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design Development and Oversight
  • Creates and reviews the team’s concept designs to ensure they adhere to operational and ADA requirements, and provide tagged equipment plans and schedules.
  • Oversees the maintenance of design criteria detail drawings and infrastructure files/documents for layouts and specialty items.
  • Prepares presentations and/or renderings to communicate design intent for new stores, remodels, tests and other new design ideas.
  • Reviews preliminary conceptual plans and communicates corrections to adhere to brand standards when necessary.
  • Provides design guidance to team members, the franchisee, external Brand Partner and architect; supplies proper tools and materials to assist with trademark or design issues.
  • Collaborates with Development and Operations Teams on design implementation, prototype design, maintenance, finish material selection and specifications to optimize daily store operations as well as internal team efficiency.
  • Oversees and creates elevations, colored renderings and perspective views when necessary.
  • Evaluates existing stores for design considerations and oversees the management of design upgrades where appropriate.
  • Continually searches for new and innovative design approaches to enhance the quality and efficiency of locations and design team efforts.
• Department Planning and Project Management
  • Leads the project planning, scheduling and implementation of the restaurant Brand’s design process; provides overall direction for the design team in accomplishing yearly goals which include openings, remodels and special projects to expand the Brand’s platforms.
  • Gathers status updates, conducts meetings with the internal design team to understand project status, gather input, address any questions or concerns and adjust resourcing as needed to ensure timely completion of projects.
  • Acts as Brand Liaison and builds relationships with Development Partners (architects, consultants, and vendors) throughout the design phase and updates them with any operational or image changes as necessary.
  • Ensures that copies of the pertinent design documents (e.g., conceptual designs, Mall Design Criteria, schematic layout, etc.) are sent to the architect and Construction team.
  • Monitors that communication between stakeholders (e.g., franchisee, architect, and construction) is well documented.
• Builds and Directs a High‑Functioning Team
  • Holds others accountable for conducting business in a legal and ethical manner while complying with policies, laws, and regulations related to business and employment.
  • Oversees people processes and programs across the team to ensure talent for current and future needs by providing operational, functional, and technical leadership.
  • Attracts, retains, and develops highly effective professionals and support staff.
  • Cultivates a bench of leadership and talent to deliver results and support future growth.
  • Determines work methods and directs the work of associates.
  • Drives the establishment of performance goals and provides ongoing feedback, coaching, and development to enhance the team’s performance and capability, to facilitate open communication, and to encourage continuous performance improvement.
  • Evaluates and determines the hiring, promotion, salary recommendations, and all employment‑related decisions.
  • Identifies individual and team skill gaps, developmental areas, and opportunities (e.g., training, special assignments, projects, etc.) to advance individual and team capability.
  • Recognizes initiative, innovation, and work well done to create a positive work environment of excellence.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Architectural Design, or a related field.

Work Experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience (e.g., restaurants/commercial conceptual layout design, FFE specifications).
• 3 years of managerial experience.
• 5 years of experience managing National multi‑unit design projects.

Skills

• Proficient in AutoCAD and able to read and understand design and construction drawings.
• Skills in Adobe Photoshop, particularly for interior and exterior renderings.
• Ability to track design projects within a standardized application (e.g., Expesite).
• Ability to manage and organize projects across various stakeholder groups.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive business relationships (e.g., franchisees, 3rd‑party vendors, other departments) and foster an environment of mutual respect, understanding, trust, and support.
• Ability to adapt and adjust planned work by analyzing work demands, competing priorities, and tight deadlines within the parameters of the organizational structure, processes, systems, and policies.
• Ability to gather data from multiple sources and make informed decisions that include an understanding of the business (business acumen).
• Ability to provide actionable recommendations, develop implementation plans, and practice effective change leadership to enhance quality, efficiency and overall effectiveness.
• Ability to convey clear, concise information in verbal, written, electronic, and other communication formats and to demonstrate active listening while engaging others.
• Ability to mentor, motivate, and guide staff toward achieving goals; to drive accountability, provide ongoing thoughtful and constructive feedback; and to recognize a job well done.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Certifications

None specified.

Travel Requirement

None specified.

#J-18808-Ljbffr