Director of Design

Our Mission at Fogo de Cho is to ignite fire and joy to care for our team, guests, and communities. All Team Members are accountable for displaying Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Humility in all aspects of their employment. Responsibilities include achieving the following four key desired results: People, Operational Excellence, Revenue, and EBITDA(R).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Define architectural standards for the design and construction of Fogo restaurants.
• Prepare "test fit" plans for new restaurant spaces being considered by the Development Team.
• Create and maintain a communication channel for all design consultant collaboration and best practice sharing.
• Develop and facilitate a process for input and coordination between all design consultants, such as Architects, MEP Engineers, kitchen equipment Consultants, Lighting Designers, audiovisual designers, interior decorators, etc., with the goal of a perfect set of construction documents for every project.
• Solicit and incorporate the feedback of internal departments such as Operations and IT and provide direction to Design Consultants during the schematic design phase.
• Act as the gatekeeper for designers and operations staff, adhering to Corporate Design Standards. Report any inconsistencies to the VP of Construction and CDO.
• Collaborate with the VP of Construction and CPMs during the construction phase to refine details for optimum construction efficiency and cost.
• Collaborate with the Interior Design Team and Procurement Manager to source and qualify vendor partners and suppliers to provide the restaurants with the highest quality, lowest cost items.
• Collaborate with the Facilities Department to ensure materials and design details provide maximum durability and service access.
• Organize and facilitate lessons learned sessions with all stakeholders after each NRO to promote continuous learning and improvement from project to project.
• Develop and maintain a Design Standards "book" for Franchise Partners and their Designers.
• Maintain current awareness of restaurant and hospitality design trends and best practices.

Competencies

• Decisive Judgement - Make thoughtful decisions in a timely and confident manner.
• Adapting to Change - Be willing and accepting of new processes.
• Planning & Organizing - Define tasks and milestones to achieve objectives while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives. Prioritize and plan activities; use time effectively to complete work promptly.
• Delivering Results - Assume personal responsibility for achieving positive outcomes. Work effectively with little direction.
• Resilience - Effectively deal with unforeseen work problems professionally and recover quickly from unfulfilled expectations.
• Teamwork & Collaboration - Build and maintain cooperative relationships at work with coworkers and help to reach group goals.
• Interpersonal Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with people inside and outside of the organization.
• Functional Acumen - Have the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to be effective in the specific functional content of a job.
• Integrity - Gain the trust of others by taking responsibility for own actions and being honest.

Education, Experience & Travel Required

• 5 - 10+ years of experience as a Design Manager, focusing on restaurants.
• Strong knowledge of the design process, including FF&E, furniture systems, and materials.
• Ability to communicate design ideas consistent with company standards.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to actively promote and contribute to a positive and professional working environment.
• Ability to travel occasionally, as needed.

Computer Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and various office applications.
• Proficient in current versions of AutoCAD.

Physical Demands

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Must have a high level of endurance and mental acuity, and toughness to manage conflict and deal successfully with high-stress situations.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance are available for full-time, hourly Team Members on the first of the month following 60 days of employment. Additionally, company-paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability are provided where allowed. We offer a comprehensive voluntary benefits package including Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Coverage, Permanent Life, and Pet Insurance.

Fogo de Cho is an Equal Opportunity & E Verify Employer