Manager, Design (14-Month Contract) at Earls Kitchen + Bar

Are you a hands-on design leader passionate about fostering team performance and strengthening execution? Do you thrive on driving strategic design execution for best-in-class hospitality spaces? If so, we are looking for you!

Earls Kitchen + Bar is seeking a strategic and empowering Manager, Design with 8+ years of experience, including a minimum of 2 years in a Senior role, to join our Store Development team for a 14-Month Contract in Vancouver, BC. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on empowering team performance, strengthening execution, and elevating design outcomes.

The Manager, Design leads a team of designers focused on the successful delivery of Earls Projects. This role provides essential day-to-day leadership, project oversight, and technical and creative guidance to ensure all projects are executed in alignment with the design brief, brand standards, and operational requirements.

Working closely with cross-functional partners, including Kitchen + Bar, Construction, and Facilities, this role plays a key part in aligning processes, refining standards, and supporting consistent, high-quality project delivery.

Role Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of designers within the Renovations division.
• Lead the comprehensive onboarding of new designers to Earls, focusing on the unique Earls Workflow, project lifecycles & technical platforms (CAD & SketchUp)
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture grounded in accountability and growth.
• Support designers in building both technical expertise and creative confidence.
• Regularly assess the technical and creative skills of designers against required key competencies, providing targeted coaching to bridge development gaps.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development planning for Junior Designers, ensuring designers are tracking toward advancement milestones as defined in the role competencies.
• Maintain a consistent in-person presence at the Vancouver Head Office as required to provide hands-on mentorship, foster team collaboration, and support real-time project navigation.

Project Oversight & Execution

• Oversee the successful delivery of multiple renovation projects, ensuring alignment with design intent, timelines, scope, and budget from site survey to close-out.
• Act as the final authority on drawing sets to ensure technical accuracy, documentation standards, and seamless AMEPS coordination within legacy building systems.
• Provide high-level creative and technical input to resolve complex site-specific constraints while maintaining brand integrity.
• Lead the navigation of live-site design strategies; collaborating with Operations to integrate upgrades with current workflows for minimal guest disruption.
• Translate project Learnings into actionable updates for design standards and documentation to drive future efficiency.
• Ensure the delivery & execution of the Guest Experience matrix, including: Lighting, Acoustics & AV.
• Ability to work outside standard business hours as required to lead installations, overnight work, and key project milestones.
• Ability to travel throughout North America as required to oversee projects and lead designers through projects.

Design Standards & Quality Assurance

• Uphold and reinforce brand design standards across all renovation and upgrade projects.
• Act as the primary lead for navigating site-specific challenges, negotiating solutions that balance brand standards with physical building limitations.
• Conduct critical design reviews at key project milestones to ensure quality assurance and cross-functional alignment.

Process Alignment & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Kitchen + Bar, Construction, and Facilities teams to align on project requirements and workflows.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of design processes and tools.
• Support and evolve systems and processes that enable consistent, high-quality project execution.
• Ensure clear communication and coordination between design and cross-functional partners.
• Contribute to resolving gaps or inefficiencies in project execution.

Schedule & Resource Management

• Work with the Director of Renovations, Franchisee & Facilities Design on resourcing and capacity planning to ensure the renovation pipeline is appropriately staffed.
• Provide direction on project timelines and resource allocation, supporting designers in prioritizing tasks to meet key milestones.
• Identify potential risks to project delivery or schedules and implement proactive solutions to keep projects on track.
• Accountable for developing a pipeline of designers through local KPU, BCIT & other CIDA accredited internship programs.

Franchise Collaboration & Support

• Liaise with the VP Franchise Operations to develop and implement strategic plans that support Franchisee Partners in the successful execution of renovations & upgrades.
• Act as a design lead for Franchisees, ensuring their renovation projects align with Earls' evolving brand standards and operational requirements.
• Facilitate the onboarding of Franchisee-hired consultants to Earls' design processes, workflows, and communication standards.
• Collaborate with Franchise Leadership to determine renovation timing, scopes, and budgets, ensuring early alignment with key stakeholder goals.
• Provide guidance on the selection and procurement of custom FF&E for franchise renovation projects to maintain brand consistency across the portfolio.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in interior design, with a minimum of 2 years as a Sr. Designer and a focus on hospitality, retail, or multi-unit environments.
• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from a CIDA-Accredited Program.
• Previous experience in a leadership or mentorship capacity with strong coaching abilities.
• Strong understanding of construction documentation, detailing, and project delivery processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners (e.g., construction, operations, consultants).
• High level of technical design proficiency and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance creative vision with operational and technical requirements.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Enscape, Photoshop, Microsoft Office & Google software, budget management, and tools (preference for Smartsheet).
• Ability to travel throughout North America in support of new store projects, site visits, and openings.

What Does Success Look Like

• Projects are consistently delivered on time, on brief, and to a high standard.
• Designers feel supported, challenged, and clear on expectations.
• Design standards are upheld and continuously improved.
• Cross-functional teams experience strong alignment and collaboration.
• Risks are identified early and managed effectively.

Bonus Points

• A sense of humour.
• A serious passion for food - we like to eat around here (sometimes wine is involved).
• Open to personal development and growth.
• The drive to succeed and the passion to be a part of Earls growth.
• Big team player – able to be both a leader and also support those around them.

What We Offer

• Competitive annual salary starting from $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, complemented by all the perks and benefits below
• Comprehensive health care benefits effective from your first day
• A healthy lifestyle spending account to support you in living your best life
• Employee Assistance Program
• Earls 50% discount card for food and drinks at all Earls Kitchen + Bar, the Beachhouse, Birdies Eats & Drinks, LOCAL Public Eatery, and JOEY Restaurants locations
• 4 weeks vacation
• Make Life Awesome Week
• Opportunity to be a part of our partner-led Employee Resource Groups (ERG), designed to bring our greater communities together through mutual causes and shared experiences
• Flexibility with our Hybrid work from home/office model
• Bring your furry friend to work in our dog-friendly office
• Office amenities include a rooftop patio, lockers, showers, a full kitchen, and collaborative workspaces
• Travel opportunities for company events, new restaurant openings, and more!
• Leadership programs with career development and opportunities for advancement
• Awards, recognitions, team-building events, and more!

Please submit your application and your portfolio. We will be in touch with suitable candidates as applications come through. We look forward to hearing from you!

Earls is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination. We believe bringing together people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities is essential to our success, and brings us closer to living our purpose to Make Life Awesome.

All employment decisions inclusive of recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotions, and terminations are based on qualifications, competencies, and merit, without the consideration of any legally protected ground. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.