Head of Architecture

PureGym US•New York, NY

1d•$130,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a pivotal role at the heart of PureGym’s US expansion. As Head of Architecture, based in New York, you’ll shape the architectural foundations of our rapidly growing gym portfolio — influencing how our spaces function, feel and perform at scale. Leading a high-performing network of external architectural partners, you’ll deliver compliant, cost-effective new gyms and refurbishments that optimise space, meet complex regulatory requirements and consistently bring our market-leading ‘Feel PureGym Good’ experience to life. Alongside delivery, you’ll play a key role in evolving our US formats, embedding smarter architectural solutions that support growth, innovation and long-term value.

Requirements

Experienced, fully qualified Architect, with industry recognized certification and credentials, able to demonstrate a track record of continual professional and personal development.
Has experience of leading external partners to deliver 100-150 multi-site projects across multiple market per year, with a track record of identifying partners and managing their performance to the achieve the required outcomes.
Has detailed knowledge and experience managing and submitting permits within the 5 boroughs, along with an understanding of how this changes in different states throughout the US.
Experience of large-scale leisure, retail, hospitality, or rapidly growing organizations.
A highly experienced architectural leader, capable of operating at a senior level and able to turn strategy into actions, successfully resolve difficult situations, and make critical decisions under pressure.
Has the ability to think ‘outside of the box’ to solve problems and ensure projects are delivered on time, budget and to the required level of quality.
Process orientated, with ability to identify and remove waste through applying lean thinking.
Proactive, accountable, hands on, adaptable and able to react quickly to a fast moving, ever-changing environment.
Excellent communicator, with the ability to simply convey complex messages and influence at a senior level.
Able to work cross-functionally, to bring together all parts of the business to deliver the right outcome for members and PureGym. Specifically working with Design, Format Development, Cost Management, Health & Safety, and the broader Group Property Development teams.
Is member focused, always striving to improve the experience for all members through own area or working across the business.
Commercially astute, able to evaluate investment decisions considering member and brand expectations balanced with the required levels of return.
Can positively represent PureGym and the Development function when interacting with external peer groups and other stakeholders.
Able to travel across the US and internationally.

Nice To Haves

Experience of auto-CAD with Revit being desirable.
Ideally has a passion for, or an interest in, fitness and leisure.

Responsibilities

To provide oversight and quality assurance of multiple external architecture partners, through identifying, on-boarding, coaching, and performance managing these partners to deliver the following activities:
Architectural feasibility evaluations of each site and corresponding technical designs.
Architectural design of each property project that adheres to the format requirements.
Implementation all known and agreed technical, regulatory and risk mitigations into the architectural layout and technical drawings, including: Fire regulations and occupancy requirements, structural loading, Acoustics, building regulations, planning, specialist M&E solutions such as smoke extract systems
All elements of the architectural process in line with critical milestones to support delivery of the property pipeline, and all major design phases pass the necessary approval stages.
Consider design-related risks and mitigate or minimize these wherever possible.
Confirm the compliance of each gym development project in line with the architectural design.
Strive to get every design ‘right first time’ to reduce rework, and always look to remove unnecessary costs.
Manage each project through the required quality stage gates, using feedback to drive continuous improvement in external partner performance.
Maintain cost control of external architectural partners and identify opportunities to reduce the cost of delivering required services.
Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of US format and regulatory requirements to enable rapid production of compliant drawings as rollout accelerates.
Regularly update US format and regulatory standards and identify ways to optimize PG’s operations within these guidelines.
Provide and maintain clear specifications for all elements of our gym design, ensuring alignment with ongoing format improvements.
Contribute architectural expertise and innovative thinking to format development to enhance member experience and reduce costs.