Principal Design Lead

Within the International Operating Model, the Atlanta-based restaurant design “Hub” defines our global design standards, guidelines and operational principles, then partners with each in-country “Division” on local application and execution.

For the Hub to effectively support the growing number of Divisions, including Canada, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, and Singapore, clear process documentation, knowledge sharing and change management are essential. The ideal candidate will champion the foundational workflows needed to achieve this goal.

This role will actively provide and manage scalable systems to support our divisions in providing design excellence worldwide.

Preferred knowledge, capabilities and mindset:

• Effective interpersonal skills. Cultural and emotional intelligence to engage with various personalities
• A hands on leader comfortable with personal accountability to become a reliable, trusted partner
• Embrace change, while identifying opportunities to provide clear, informed direction
• Curious and able to thrive in a collaborative, continuous-improvement environment where the focus is on what is right for the business, not who is right
• Process oriented with the ability (and patience) to effectively train teams of various skill levels and understanding
• Strong ability to work independently with wide latitude for unreviewed action & autonomous decision making
• Champion the importance of organized information and consistency
• Strong communication skills for distilling and sharing information (written and orally)
• A working understanding of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) principles is preferred
• Experience in leading architectural design processes
• Proven ability for coordination with multiple disciplines (Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Structural, Kitchen, Fire) with an understanding of constructability
• Effective understanding of key Autodesk design delivery products: Revit, BIM360, Autodesk Construction Cloud, as well as complimentary products such as Bluebeam, PowerPoint and Smartsheet
• This role may require quarterly travel

Our Flexible Future model offers a healthy mix of working in person and virtually, strengthening key elements of the Chick-fil-A culture by fostering collaboration and community.

• Manage typical international design deliverables including specifications, restaurant template drawings, optional back of house operational layouts, seating & décor plans, overall brand standards and design principles
• Lead change management systems to inform current design thinking across all divisions
• Maintain clear restaurant design deliverable workflow instruction and design guidelines
• Participate in evaluation of regional design partners’ capabilities
• Define QA/QC process to drive accuracy of design deliverables and data points provided by design partners.
• Provide clear reporting format for key restaurant design metrics
• Stay up to date with domestic US details, operational standards and design principles. Assist in development of new design adaptations as applicable
• Provide regular updates, training, and evaluation of consultant design partners
• Effective coordination with domestic US stakeholders and key operational requirements
• Direct and train Chick-fil-A architects, engineers, kitchen design partners, Market Level Design Consultants, and internal stakeholders on Chick-fil-A design requirements.
• Stay up to date on industry standards as well as advanced workflows and technologies that will provide Chick-fil-A with a competitive advantage
• Partner with the Program Lead and Design Lead to manage the relationship & performance reviews of Market Level Design Consultants and regional design partners

• Bachelor's degree in Architectural Design
• 6+ years of relevant work experience

• Master's degree
• Experience in design deliverable leadership
• Licenses or certifications in Architectural Design