Dir, Brand Design

Overview

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 ensure the creation of innovative and striking designs that satisfy each Brand’s design criteria and operational standards. The Director collaborates across multiple stakeholders—including Brand marketing, Operations, Development, 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 Design Directors to establish standards, economies of scale, and best practices for Focus Brands. The Director collaborates with Regional Development Directors to support all new and remodeled Franchise locations, providing support through Design Development phases and leading Design Decisions.

• 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 (preferred). 5 years of experience managing national multi‑unit design projects (preferred).

• Proficient in AutoCAD and capable of reading and interpreting design and construction drawings.
• Skilled 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 demands, competing priorities, and tight deadlines within the organization’s structure, processes, systems, and policies.
• Ability to gather data from multiple sources and make informed decisions, including a deep understanding of the business (business acumen).
• Ability to provide actionable recommendations, develop implementation plans, and lead effective change 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; to provide ongoing, thoughtful, constructive feedback; and to recognize a job well performed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.