Senior Director, Design

About the Role

The Sr. Director, Design leads the design process for all Specialty and Restaurant brands, providing strategic leadership to the Design team and the broader organization. This role ensures all brands’ prototypes, creative assets, and new designs align with brand requirements while considering attributes and needs for high-volume rollouts. The position oversees innovative and striking designs that meet individual brand criteria and operational standards, directs test-fits and concept design activity, and partners closely with Chief Brand Officers and brand leads.

Responsibilities

• Direct the design team in producing test-fit and concept designs to meet strategic Development team goals.
• Collaborate with brand leadership to interpret brand design evolutions and guide team activity to accomplish design alternatives.
• Lead the design team, construction, Brand operational leadership, external architects, and engineers to develop scalable prototype documents for franchisee use, aligned with GoTo Foods development programs.
• Create tools and direction to ensure design and construction projects conform to quality, schedule, and budget requirements while complying with regulatory codes.
• Align drawing and design quality across prototype and site adapt architects, consultants, and engineers, protecting brand requirements while delivering high-quality technical information.
• Establish accountability measures for consultants to meet deliverables.
• Develop the team’s ability to influence franchisees and project stakeholders effectively.
• Drive schedule improvements and reduce creative and production timelines through efficiency and technology, delivering regular status reports to prioritize and expedite projects.
• Provide strategic guidance on project planning, negotiations, scheduling, and implementation for the team, brands, and leadership.
• Define a design process to improve measurable delivery of production and concept design activity across all brands.
• Partner with Real Estate and Operations teams to define priorities and resourcing for design initiatives.
• Support the Real Estate team in optimizing locations for new development.
• Collaborate with Brand leads to evolve design requirements based on Marketing, Operational changes, consumer acceptance, and appeal factors.
• Work with Supply Chain to identify, vet, and assess vendors for quality, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness, and explore new approaches or improvements.
• Collaborate with the Leasing/Sales team to solve special challenges and develop innovative brand expressions.
• Hold team members accountable for legal and ethical business conduct, complying with policies, laws, and regulations.
• Oversee people processes and programs to ensure talent meets current and future needs through operational, functional, and technical leadership.
• Attract, retain, and develop highly effective professionals and support staff.
• Cultivate a leadership bench to deliver results and support future growth.
• Determine work methods and direct the design team’s efforts.
• Establish performance goals for openings, remodels, and special projects, providing ongoing feedback, coaching, and development to enhance team performance.
• Identify individual and team skill gaps, developmental areas, and opportunities (e.g., training, assignments) to advance capabilities.
• Recognize initiative, innovation, and high-quality work to foster a positive environment of excellence.
• Evaluate and determine hiring, promotion, salary recommendations, and all employment-related decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Design, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in a franchise environment (e.g., design, architecture).
• 5+ years of managerial experience.

Skills

• Ability to read and understand design and construction drawings, contracts, leases, and work letters.
• Ability to prepare and understand annual budgets and financial models.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive business relationships with customers, vendors, and internal teams, fostering mutual respect, trust, and support.
• Ability to influence others to create “win-win” partnerships through negotiation.
• Ability to balance strategic focus and tactical execution.
• Ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple projects with sensitive deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication skills, including clear, concise verbal, written, and electronic formats, and active listening.
• Talent management and development skills to build a highly effective and motivated team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Travel

May be required to travel up to 25% of the time.