Head of Design

About the Role

The Head of Design role is responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end design process for both own brands and brand partners within SSP. The role ensures design intent, standards, and operational needs are met while delivering cost-appropriate solutions that align with business cases. Key responsibilities include creating and maintaining design standards and libraries, coordinating approvals across stakeholders, managing external architects and consultants, and ensuring compliance with brand and SSP guidelines.

What you'll be doing:

Own Brands:

• Ensure all design guidelines are readily available for the PMs to deliver the project according to Airtable dates
• Record all design stages (SD, DD) approvals through Airtable Project Governance System.
• Ensure that all documentation prepared by external parties is of a high standard and meets the requirements of the Construction team
• Ensure design intent and vision is developed and support the PM throughout the construction process.
• Design to Cost- ensure that designs are cost appropriate and that projects can be delivered within the parameters contained within the business case. Suggest value engineering opportunities to control/ manage costs within budget.
• Ensure that all interested parties have input to design and layout requirements specifically; NPD, Kitchen layout and equipment, operational layout
• Co-ordinate the sign off for operational aspects of the designs with all interested parties: Operations, NPD, Equipment Manager, QS, Engineering, PM and work with Maintenance Team to ensure that all design and equipment is capable of being maintained.
• Work closely with external Bar and Kitchen Consultants to achieve operational excellence and the correct equipment
• Co-ordinate and minute formal sign-off of final plans and layouts by all interested parties
• Instruct external architects and designers as necessary and constantly review workload and performance
• Where external Architects are required, ensure alignment with SSP standards to ensure ‘right first time’ and schemes aligned with SSP standards.
• Role model design innovation through technology, CSR and construction techniques to deliver new solutions to support business profitability / pipeline growth.

Brand partners:

• Co-ordinate with Brand Partners in-house and external design teams and architects to ensure that all design related material and plans are delivered in a timely manner to the SSP projects team
• Ensure that all schemes are prepared in keeping with concepts and brand standards are adhered to
• Work closely with Partners to ensure that a pipeline of refresh proposals is maintained to ensure that SSP units reflect the demands of the brands represented.

Create Standards:

• Use blueprint templates for Franchise & Own Brands across; Coffee, bakery, Casual dining and Retail – scope includes from feasibility layout to construction stage including kitchen / equipment layouts working with the Group Food & Beverage Director, materials, specifications
• Create and maintain Architectural Design standards library to ensure standardized approach.
• Develop & use our ‘One drive’ online Portal for storing all Standards, unit drawings and communication of this information to internal and external parties.
• Develop and report standard SLAs to track and manage quality, time and feedback for output

Construction Stage: GIC2 schemes

• Review all scheme designs for Capital approval to ensure they are aligned with design / blueprint standards and principles.
• Support value engineering as required to deliver budget constraints.
• Identify any format exceptions on schemes and validate due to technical / menu reasons or seek to improve the layouts/ drive compliance.

Processes:

• Accountable for ensuring operations, H&S and brand sign-off on Own-Brand units and SSP-led design franchise units
• Support the Group Investment Committee with project layout reviews ensuring compliance to design standards, identifying any exceptions.

Key Working Relationships:

• SSP Property / Maintenance / Capital Project Teams (UK&I)
• Concept, Franchise & Commercial Teams (UK&I)
• External suppliers
• SSP Operations (UK&I)

To be successful in this role you will need:

Essential:

• Strong leadership skills to manage complex cross functional stakeholders.
• Degree qualification, min 7 years’ experience.
• System skills - demonstrates excellence in AutoCAD, Sketch-up drawing software to create drawings / renders.
• Demonstrate skills in setting up and managing standard project / drawing libraries / standards.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing & client relation skills and inquisitive in nature

Desirable:

• Experience in F&B at Air / Rail locations.