Director of Design - Luxury Fitness Clubs

DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: (NOT REMOTE)

With its corporate office located in Orange County, California, Our Client owns and operates fitness clubs throughout the United States and Canada. The Development Department is responsible for evaluating, designing, entitling and constructing new fitness clubs across the portfolio, with a typical development year producing approximately 45–50 new locations.

• Architectural licensure is preferred.

Our Client is seeking a DIRECTOR OF DESIGN to provide hands‑on architectural and design leadership for its newest generation of high‑end fitness and wellness environments. These are sophisticated, highly programmed facilities combining fitness, boutique studios, wellness, recovery and hospitality‑oriented amenities within a single development.

Orange County, California | Corporate Office | Not Remote

Experienced architectural professionals with demonstrated design leadership who are ready to grow into a broader Director‑level position are encouraged to apply.

The Director of Design will lead projects from the earliest schematic concept. This is a hands‑on architectural leadership role for someone who can oversee the development of original designs and work with outside architectural consultants to produce a completed product.

The Director is involved with the Real Estate Team before a project even begins, participating in the evaluation of prospective acquisitions and real estate opportunities. This person will assist in evaluations of potential sites and existing buildings to determine how effectively the club program can be accommodated, identify architectural and construction constraints, and provide design input that helps inform the viability of a deal.

Once a project moves forward, the Director oversees the development of the initial schematic design concept, site plan, building configuration, floor plan. CAD is a daily part of the position—not simply a review function. The Director will personally develop and modify drawings to explore ideas, solve problems and communicate clear design direction.

From there, the Director will work with the company development managers to lead outside architectural firms and specialty consultants through design development and construction documents, ensuring that the original concept is carried through to production and ultimately the completed club.

Projects incorporate a wide range of specialized fitness, wellness and hospitality environments with different structural, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lighting, acoustic, waterproofing and operational requirements. The Director must understand how these systems affect the architecture and be able to coordinate the appropriate disciplines without compromising the overall design.

With approximately 45–50 new clubs developed during a typical year, this position requires someone who can maintain consistent design and quality standards across a significant development pipeline while adapting the product to different sites, buildings, jurisdictions and project conditions.

• Ability to integrate the company's visual brand identity into the architecture and built environment is key to the role

• Advanced understanding of the seamless integration of signage, environmental graphics, way finding, lighting and building materials is preferred.

• Lead projects from initial concepts through design development, construction documents and production.

• Personally develop initial concept designs, site plans, building configurations, floor plans and schematic designs.

• Participate in the evaluation of potential acquisitions, development sites and existing buildings, identifying architectural opportunities, limitations, and…