Senior Design Manager, Restaurant Architecture; US & Canada

Senior Design Manager, Restaurant Architecture (US & Canada)

Posted Thursday, May 28

Location:

Bloomington, MN, United States

Salary: US national base salary range $115,037 – $143,796, eligible for bonus. Individual pay is based on job‑related skills, work location, and relevant education or experience.

The Senior Design Manager supports US & Canada headquarters out of our corporate office in Bloomington and provides design, food service equipment, and building systems direction to expedite plan completion and project commencement within the established time frames for each project. The role manages accurate documentation and timely implementation of prototypical design and operational standards for both new store development and reinvestment projects, reviews project submissions to align with prototypical design criteria, and tracks progress and performance against established timelines and unit opening goals.

• Provide design, building systems, and food service equipment guidance to franchisees, architects, engineers, and general contractors using Auto Cad/Revit and in accordance with current prototype documentation.
• Require strong restaurant background, in‑depth knowledge of building construction types, food and treat equipment specifications, and understanding of electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, preferably in the restaurant industry.
• Generate innovative, cost‑effective solutions to current building design issues and implement them in future projects.
• Manage reinvestment and new store development documentation standards reflecting current prototype design and operational criteria, ensuring compliance with building codes and ADA accessibility standards.
• Review project submissions from outside architects and designers promptly for alignment with feasibility drawings or design criteria guidelines, utilizing Bluebeam software and Synuma tracking software.
• Track new store and reinvestment project performance daily to achieve assigned timelines and opening unit goals using Synuma.
• Monitor critical milestone tasks during the design phase and report status to franchisees, corporate staff, and others to facilitate the restaurant development process.
• Provide technical and design feedback to the Director of Design/Architecture to advance the accuracy of prototype drawings.
• Perform liaison tasks with corporate staff (Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, R&D) and outside vendors (signage, equipment, graphics) to assure consistent facility design standards at each new store location.

• M.A. or M.S. Degree in Architecture, Engineering Technology, or related field.
• Architect or designer with 7–10 years of project management and design experience and multiple restaurant project background (QSR preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross‑functional design projects independently and successfully.
• Directly related food service design and documentation experience, including custom design and plan preparation, IBC compliance, and collaboration with architects, engineering disciplines, general contractors, and franchisees.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

• Strong ability to multi‑task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously in a deadline‑driven environment.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to articulate effectively to a variety of audiences, including franchisee leadership and senior management.
• Leadership and influencing skills: demonstrated strength at persuading, influencing, and exercising leadership cross‑functionally to drive decisions and project plans.
• Coaching and mentoring skills: ability to coach and mentor internal team members and external parties in the accurate execution of approved brand design.
• Working knowledge of Auto Cad (min. 2019) and Revit (min. 2016), Bluebeam Revu, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office Suite for administrative purposes.
• In‑depth knowledge of restaurant or QSR industry equipment specifications, use, and application in prototype or non‑prototype environments.
• Leadership experience with construction documentation, detailing of building construction types (metal,…