GoTo Foods · 1 week ago
Sr. Director, Design
Atlanta, GA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
10+ years expGoTo Foods is seeking a Sr. Director, Design to lead the design process for all Specialty and Restaurant brands. This role involves providing strategic leadership to the design team, ensuring alignment with brand requirements, and overseeing the creation of innovative designs for high volume rollouts.
Food and BeverageFood ProcessingRestaurantsRetail
Responsibilities
Directing activity of design team in completing production of test-fit and concept designs to meet strategic Development team goals
Collaborate and chair with brand leadership, interpreting brand design evolutions and direct team activity to accomplish said design alternatives
Directing the activities of design team, construction, Brand operational leadership, external architects and external engineers to further develop restaurant designs into scalable prototype documents for franchisee use
Creates tools and direction for the team to ensure that design and construction projects conform to uniform quality, schedule and budget requirements while complying with federal, state and local regulatory agency-required codes and guidelines
Leads efforts to align drawing and design quality across prototype & site adapt architects, consultants, and engineers
Continuously developing the team to be effective influencers to the franchisees and project stakeholders
Leads schedule improvements and reduce creative and production work timelines through driving efficiency and new technology while delivering regular status reports to prioritize, expedite, and follow-up on requests and issues to ensure timely completion and documentation of projects in strategic alignment to delivering GoTo Foods stated development goals
Provides strategic guidance and support with project planning, negotiations, scheduling and implementation to the team, brands, and leadership
Creation of a defined design process to deliver an improved measurable delivery of production and concept design activity across all brands
Partners with Real Estate and Operations teams to define priorities and resourcing needed to effectively support design initiatives
Works with Real Estate team in support of optimizing locations for new development
Collaborates intensely with Brand leads to learn the evolution of the Brand design requirements related to Marketing, Operational changes, consumer acceptance, and appeal factors to keep building designs updated with all recent adaptations
Collaborates with Supply Chain to identify, vet, and assess vendors against quality, cost effectiveness, timeliness and other key metrics; works with vendors to identify new approaches and/or improve effectiveness, as needed
Collaborates with Leasing/Sales team on ways to solve special challenges and to develop innovative ways to express the Brands
Holds others accountable for conducting business in a legal and ethical manner while complying with policies, laws, and regulations related to business and employment
Oversees people processes and programs across the team to ensure talent for current and future needs by providing operational, functional, and technical leadership
Attracts, retains, and develops highly effective professionals and support team
Cultivates a bench of leadership and talent to deliver results and support future growth
Determines work methods and directs the work of the design team
Drives the establishment of performance goals which include openings, remodels, and special projects to help expand the Brands’ platforms and provides on-going feedback, coaching, and development to enhance the team’s performance and capability, to facilitate open communication, and to encourage continuous performance improvement
Identifies individual and team skill gaps, developmental areas, and opportunities (e.g., training, special assignments, projects, etc.) to advance individual and team capability
Recognizes initiative, innovation, and work well done to create a positive work environment of excellence
Evaluates and determines the hiring, promotion, salary recommendations, and all employment-related decisions
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or related field, Required
10+ years relevant work experience in a franchise environment (e.g, design, architecture, etc.), Required
5+ years of managerial experience, Required
Ability to read and understand design and construction drawings, contracts, leases & work letters
Ability to prepare & understand annual budgets and financial models
Ability to develop and maintain positive business relationships (e.g, customers, 3rd party vendors, other departments, etc.) and foster an environment of mutual respect, understanding, trust, and support
Ability to influence others to identify, negotiate and create 'win-win' partnerships
Ability to effectively balance strategic focus and tactical execution
Ability to prioritize, delegate and manage multiple projects with sensitive deadlines and changing environment
Ability to convey clear, concise information in verbal, written, electronic, and other communication formats and to demonstrate active listening while engaging others
Talent management and development skills that create a highly effective and motivated team
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Company
GoTo Foods
Atlanta-based platform company GoTo Foods (formerly known as Focus Brands) is a leading developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Guillermo Cremer
Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer
James Baird
Chief Information Security Officer
Recent News
The News Front
2025-09-26
2025-07-18
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