Director of Design

Dufry Careers

1d•Remote

About The Position

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.

Requirements

The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 8 years
Requires 3 years of experience supervising design teams or managing external design consultants engaged in executing commercial design programs
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
3-5 years of experience in F&B, Retail, or Hospitality
Training that leads to advanced knowledge of design software including but not limited to, AutoCAD, BlueBeam, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.
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

Responsibilities

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