Darden Restaurants

POSITION TITLE: DESIGN MANAGER

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Design Manager is responsible for managing outside architects, engineers and various consultants in the development of contract documents for new and remodeled restaurants and for overseeing maintenance of prototype documents. This role has key responsibilities for acting as a liaison with Darden’s Construction Project Managers, project consultants, as well as interfacing with other departments within the company.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage outside Architects, Engineers and various Consultants in development of contract documents for new and remodeled restaurants and oversee maintenance of prototype documents.
• Review Construction Documents produced by outside consultants and coordinate revisions, change orders and design directives.
• Be the liaison for the Construction Project Managers and the outside consultants.
• Coordinate planning functions with Site Development Consultants.
• Interface with other teams (Operations, Real Estate, Licensing, Purchasing, Culinary, etc.) to adapt prototypical designs to specific sites.
• Interface with other team members (Food Service Design and Construction Project Managers) to identify and implement revisions to prototypical documents.
• Evaluate value engineering possibilities for current prototypes.
• Evaluate in-line and conversion opportunities as presented by the Real Estate Department, and manage production of conceptual floor plans when required.

Facilitate the review and release of the Bill of Materials (BOM) with our Purchasing Department.

• Coordinate Project Release and Kick-off Meetings.
• Participate in project walk-throughs and turn-overs as required.
• Responsible for the assembling of design related materials for release of projects to our consultants.
• Based on overall program requirements, assist in the survey and development of specific restaurant scopes.
• Work with the Brand Design Managers and Construction Project Managers to verify accuracy of construction documents submitted by outside consultants.
• Work closely with the Construction Project Managers to coordinate the construction process; be able to address design and documentation related issues and articulate direction as required.
• Work with the Brand Design Managers to research design and facility related issues (materials, systems, etc.)
• Ability to travel up to 20-30% of the time; as directed by the Brand Design Manager.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing the work of design professionals on multiple projects in the restaurant industry.
• Experience/familiarity with the use of Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD) programs, REVIT, BIM, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Knowledge of architectural office practices.
• Proven ability to direct and motivate outside design professionals of all disciplines.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

B.S. or equivalent degree in Architecture, Interior/Environmental Design, Civil/Structural Engineering or Construction Management.