Design Manager

The Design Strategies Manager supports IHG’s efforts in accelerating guest and owner insight-driven design initiatives in the America’s region. Additionally, this role helps to establish original/innovative designs strategies to include prototype designs and integrate them into the America’s region for New Development hotels, as well as hotels undergoing a renovation. This role reports into Regional Director of Design Strategies, Americas Design and Construction.

Support IHG’s Americas design strategy by advancing hospitality design initiatives that are informed by guest, owner, brand, and operational insights. This role partners with global and regional teams to develop and implement prototype designs, renovation solutions, brand standards, and owner-facing design programs for new development and existing hotel projects. The role provides a clear connection standards, between global design direction and regional execution, ensuring solutions are commercially viable, technically sound, and aligned with brand experience goals.

Your day to day

• Lead regional hospitality design initiatives from concept through implementation, including prototype design, renovation programs, model rooms, brand guidelines, and owner-facing design solutions.
• Partner with Brand Management, Architecture & Design, Global Design, Procurement, Legal, owners, consultants, vendors, and project teams to translate brand strategy into commercially viable and buildable design outcomes.
• Represent the design team in internal and external forums by clearly communicating project priorities, design intent, pipeline status, owner feedback, risks, and recommendations.
• Apply hospitality design expertise and technical judgment to resolve design, construction, FF&E, supplier, and brand standards issues while balancing guest experience, owner value, operational needs, schedule, and budget.
• Support the development, refinement, and regional implementation of brand standards, design documentation, SRD programs, FF&E specifications, and design tools that enable consistent execution across the Americas.
• Build trust and alignment with owners, senior leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders through clear presentations, concise written communication, sound recommendations, and strong executive presence.

What we need from you

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in interior design, Architecture or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. AIA or ASID certification preferred. Architectural or Interior Design License preferred.

• 5+ years of progressive design, architecture, or related experience, with a strong emphasis on hospitality environments, brand implementation, renovation, and new development projects. Experience should include managing design workstreams, coordinating with owners, consultants, vendors, and internal stakeholders, and translating design intent into commercially viable, buildable solutions.

• Must have proven experience of completing hospitality projects.

• Ability to work in a high volume, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment as a member of a collaborative team. Responsive to demands from multiple stakeholder groups and able to understand and balance consumer, managerial and ownership perspectives.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and resources. Ability to effectively prioritize project details and manage time. Must make immediate time available to work with franchisees when problems arise regarding brand design projects, Brand standards or vendor-related issues. Strong problem solving and time management skills required.

• High degree of personal drive, self-starter and able to work independently without regular direct/local management. Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks required.

• Inquiring mind with an understanding of innovation, design and guest experience and the challenges involved in implementing successful change within IHGs business model including strong business acumen and strategic thinking ability.

• Extensive and credible appreciation of brands.

• Able to assess the scope of implementation of proposed innovation/design proposals quickly and accurately and up-to-date on current trends and innovation in the sector.

• High level of capability and credibility in influencing peers and senior management across functions and regions. Must be confident, diplomatic and able to work across all levels of the organization with strong analytical and interpersonal communication skills.

• Commercially astute and able to develop credible ROI`s for design initiatives with a good ‘real world’ sensibility when applying strategic solutions.

• Demonstrate knowledge of brand standards and full understanding of the differences in the various brand standards. Must maintain a working knowledge of all requirements described in each brand standards manual.

• Demonstrated ability to read design documentation and construction drawings including architectural, mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler systems and electrical drawings. Demonstrated knowledge of FF&E (furnishings, finishings and equipment)/OS&E (operating supplies and equipment). Ability to interpret design boards and specifications and provide free-hand renderings, layouts, or other drawings to clarify design issues or as the need arises.

• Ability to remain current with construction trends, code requirements and design through participating in annual continuing education classes. Must have knowledge of national building codes and ADA requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage large-scale design projects and budgets with minimal direction. Must have project management experience in organizing, planning, and executing complex projects from conception through implementation.

• Assist Brand Management Teams in the design and procurement of Brand Design Scheme FF&E needed for the IHG Investor’s Conference.

• FF&E Spec writing software

• Strong technical proficiency in 3D modeling and design documentation tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp or equivalent 3D software, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to clearly communicate design intent through drawings, visual presentations, written narratives, and stakeholder-facing materials.

Travel - 10-20% required

Location - Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days in the Atlanta office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.

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