Design Manager

Design Manager (18007362) Description

The primary objective of the Chipotle Development Department is to support Operations by designing, constructing, and maintaining efficient restaurants with distinctive interior design, while pursuing sustainable building options and processes. Our approach to designing and building restaurants using more environmentally friendly building materials and systems is an expression of our Food With Integrity (FWI) commitment. The department seeks new sustainability initiatives as well as innovative FWI practices for all our restaurants.

The Design Manager is responsible for all aspects of design for new restaurants, major renovation, and special initiative projects. They ensure all projects are delivered within established time frames and budgets, and in a manner consistent with established trade dress standards and department guidelines. The Design Manager is fully knowledgeable of the project development process, and the roles of various interdisciplinary partners. The DM collaborates with these partners to ensure the design workflow parallels the development process. S/he also has an understanding of the business context and aims to execute projects to follow that model. The DM performs design analysis, research, and development for all custom trade dress, kitchen and signage systems relating to Chipotle’s design package. The DM also manages outside consulting architectural firms and ensures that the work produced meets Chipotle’s standards.

Responsibilities

In addition to following Chipotle’s policies and procedures, principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•Perform preliminary site feasibility studies for new restaurant development with Real Estate Managers; participate in real estate tours, as well as initial landlord meetings to define project parameters and confirm landlord scope of work

•Perform due diligence on proposed premise and assess probable scope-of-work based on existing site parameters

•Review project documents including lease letter of intent, draft lease document, and lease provisions (e.g., Acceptance of the Premises, Landlord's Work Letter, Tenant's Work Letter, Landlord's Rules and Regulations Governing Construction, Sign Exhibits)

•Managing development of preliminary kitchen and dining room concepts, obtain approvals of layouts as necessary

•Manage, review, and approve consultant construction documents, and transition project to Construction and Facilities teams

•Coordinate with regional operations teams to review and obtain approvals on all layouts

•Establish initial project schedules with interdisciplinary project teams, track progress and adjust project schedules as necessary

•Moderate recurring development team calls to review high-level progress of all active projects

•Moderate project kick-off calls with interdisciplinary project team, and solicit operations feedback and approval on all layouts

•Perform design-related activities for all trade dress upgrades and changes; coordinate with outside vendors and consultants as necessary

•Manage outside consultants, including qualification of service proposals and review/approval of consultant pay applications

•Work with interdisciplinary partners (such as Managers of Real Estate and Construction) to ensure team meets quarterly targets, and adjusts project workflow to reach those goals

•Manage and participate in special initiative projects, including new brand concepts, maintain/create design standards packages, in-store marketing collaborations

The ideal candidate will:

•Be able to independently manage all aspects of new restaurant design

•Have excellent written and verbal communication skills

•Have solid planning, collaboration, and decision-making skills

•Possess financial skills with the ability to analyze and plan project budgets

•Have the ability to develop positive relationships at all levels of the organization

•Be able to work within a high growth environment

•Proficiency in applicable project management programs (including Microsoft Office Suite)

•Proficiency in applicable computer-aided design tools (including Revit/AutoCAD, Sketchup, Adobe CC Suite, hand sketching)

•Have minimum 7 years experience in Architecture or Interior Design, including 3 years of restaurant design, 2 years managing project teams, and 1 year working with inter-disciplinary Development teams

•Have a B.A./B.S. in a related field; or an equivalent in education and experience

•Be able to travel frequently

Primary Location: New York - New York - 9026 - NYC Office-(09026) Work Location: 9026 - NYC Office-(09026) 126 Fifth Avenue New York 10011