Design Manager

Churchs Texas Chicken

Employee Job Description

Job Title: Design Manager

Reports To: Director, Design

Department: Development

Location: Remote

Revised: May 2026

Job Summary:

The Design Manager will collaborate with the Director Design in the development, preparation, execution, and review of a variety of building design projects supporting our franchised and company restaurants globally (domestic and international markets) with a focus on maintaining the integrity of our brand standards pertaining to our new building restaurant/reimaged restaurant designs.

This role requires knowledge of drafting, architecture, or interior design, experience with AutoCAD software, basic Photoshop skills, robust attention to detail, critical design thinking, strong organization/project management skills, ability to communicate clearly and a collaborative work style.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Create floorplans, conceptual design packages (including equipment layout and schedule) and site plans for our new restaurant design in AutoCAD for our franchisees and vendors for the US and/or international markets.
• Provide guidance and direction to franchisees' architectural consultants to ensure adherence to Church's design specifications. Manage and track design projects, keep weekly touchpoints with franchisees, their architects and GC's.
• Review and approve franchisee submitted site-adapted plans to determine adherence to company design standards and assist with rendering reviews for domestic and international.
• Support the US reimage initiative by collaborating with Remodel Team and assisting franchisees with design solutions.
• Support the international new store and reimage initiative.
• Produce design studies using hand drawings, Adobe Photoshop or other graphic software as requested during design conceptualization.
• Manage brand's trade dress and imaging elements, custom décor pieces, and exterior signage. Coordinate changes with consultants and vendors, especially equipment, signage, and furniture/decor vendors. Manage material sample inventory and as needed create and distribute finished samples to franchisees.
• Maintain prototype drawings, design standards, tools and references and design reference documents. Implement changes in design documents due to equipment or materials being discontinued or replaced.
• Update Church's database with relevant photos, design reviews, design documents, floorplans, site plans, etc. as design projects are completed.
• Edit and provide quality photos for presentations as requested.
• Special Projects. Work on one-off projects such as researching new design trends, materials and methods or other duties, as assigned.

Position Requirements (Education, Qualifications, Experience):

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, or interior design preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in restaurant design preferred. Experience with QSR design is desirable.
• Fundamental understanding of overall construction process and how interior and exterior elements are built including but not limited to, structure, roof, fascia, framing, millwork, seating, lighting, ceiling elements, entries, restrooms, signage, ADA etc.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the design process in the context of the entire business proposition - marketing and consumer insights; operational efficiency; construction cost reduction or containment; code compliance; equipment design; furniture design; menu offerings; facilities management.
• Proficient in AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Bluebeam or Acrobat Pro. Has facility with e-mail, MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point MS Teams and OneDrive.
• Fluent in metric with minimum 1-year practical experience using the metric system is a plus.
• High level of organization and strong project management skills
• Able to handle multiple projects, with changing criteria simultaneously.
• Superior written and oral communication skills
• Able to capture/present design ideas using graphic software (Adobe Photoshop or other) and hand drawing.

Competencies:

• People Leadership - Provides guidance and direction to team members and sets expectations and accountability for performance standards. Serves as a role model for staff and other team members to create a respectful, productive work environment. Serves as one of the main drivers of the company's mission, values, and culture and advocates for the employees and business.
• Critical Thinking - Defines and resolves a situation or problem by analyzing issues, weighing options, and evaluating alternatives; maintains objective attitude; approaches situations and problems systematically; uses observation, experience, reflection, and reasoning to drive the business forward.
• Influencing Others - Convinces and persuades others in positive or negative circumstances to accomplish goals and objectives; responds to objections successfully; uses tact when expressing ideas or opinions.
• Initiative - Takes action proactively; addresses issues or opportunities without supervision; focuses on desired results and accomplishments; demonstrates clear purpose, enthusiasm, and a "can-do" attitude.
• Innovative and Creative - Looks for ways to improve oneself, the job, the project, the system, and the organization; challenges conventional practices and generates new ideas to create novel solutions to problems.
• Managing Execution - Manages multiple projects and effectively prioritizes tasks and goals; uses goals to guide actions and create detailed action plans; organizes and schedules people and tasks; utilizes resources effectively to meet goals.
• Negotiating - Presents issues or ideas clearly and effectively; maintains an open-minded and non-judgmental attitude; listens to others' views and empathizes.
• Relationship Management - Initiates and develops relationships with others; demonstrates credibility; confronts conflict quickly and professionally; inspires confidence in others.

Physical Requirements:

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Travel:

15 % moderate travel is required, site visits, trade shows, product testing etc.

1. If you're hungry for a career that's fun, fast-paced and loaded with opportunity, then you've come to the right place. At Church''s, we're not your typical quick service restaurant. We make real comfort food that makes a difference in peoples' lives. And for over 60 years, our restaurant has been a place where hard-working people can get ahead and go on to do amazing things by serving others.

2. Church's Chicken is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes hiring and employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.