Director of Design

With a career at HMSHost, you really benefit! We Offer:

Health, dental and vision insurance

Generous paid time off (vacation, flex or sick)

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Company paid life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Training and exciting career growth opportunities

Referral program – refer a friend and earn a bonus

Compensation: $127,600.00 to $159,500.00

Purpose
The Director of Design manages the design strategy and execution for F&B and retail venues, concept/brand conversions, and remodel projects in North America. This role leads design teams, oversees the development of design standards and specifications, and aligns design solutions with brand standards, operational requirements, and budget parameters.

Essential Functions

Leads design teams and external design consultants in developing comprehensive design concepts for business pursuits, lease extensions, and remodel projects across F&B and retail venues

Manages the design development process from concept through 10% construction documentation, ensuring alignment with brand standards, operational functionality, budget parameters, and schedule requirements

Develops and maintains design standards, specifications, and guidelines to drive consistency and quality across all venue types while allowing for location‑specific customization

Collaborates with Operations and Business Development teams to understand business requirements and translate them into effective design solutions

Oversees interior design, food service design, architectural coordination, and fixture/equipment specifications while verifying selection and development align with project needs and quality standards

Manages relationships with external design consultants and architects to provide strategic oversight and optimize design quality and performance

Provides design expertise and support for RFP responses, including development of conceptual designs and renderings that support business development efforts

Monitors design project schedules and deliverables to maintain timely completion and coordination with construction timelines and airport requirements

Drives innovation in design methodologies and standards while balancing compliance and operational functionality across diverse airport environments

Reviews and approves design deliverables including schematic designs, design development documents, 10% construction documents, finish selections, and equipment specifications to maintain quality and adherence to company standards

Reporting Relationship
The position reports to the Senior Director of Retail and F&B Design

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment

Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 8 years:

In a leadership role: Requires 3 years of experience supervising design teams or managing external design consultants engaged in executing commercial design programs

In a technical role: Requires 8 years of experience engaged in developing and delivering design programs for commercial or hospitality environments

A bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field can count for 3 of the 8‑year requirement

Industry: 3-5 years of experience in F&B, Retail, or Hospitality

Specialized Training:

Training that leads to advanced knowledge of design software including but not limited to AutoCAD, BlueBeam, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.

Specialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits:

Extensive knowledge of construction management, design processes, and project delivery methods in commercial and hospitality environments

Strong financial acumen with ability to develop design solutions within approved budget parameters and understand cost implications of decisions

Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to articulate design concepts to internal stakeholders and external clients

Strong design aesthetic with ability to balance brand standards, operational functionality, and budget constraints

Strategic thinking capabilities with ability to develop standardized processes and drive continuous improvement initiatives

Business acumen and mindset required to understand long‑term implications of design and construction decisions and advance organizational goals

Demonstrated history of understanding business needs, stakeholder requirements, and project complexities in airport and hospitality environments

Demonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environments through coaching, developing, and leading teams to achieve common goals

Location/Travel:

This role may be based at the North America Support Center in Bethesda, MD, or may be remote depending on the candidate’s qualifications and profile. This role may require up to 30% travel to airport locations.

Avolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates (“the Company”), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti‑discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as “protected characteristics”).

Source: HMSHost

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