Senior Design Manager Job at CAVA - Support Center in Washington

Company Profile:
At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.

We foster a culture built on five core values: 

• Generosity First: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.
• Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.
• Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.
• Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.
• Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

Senior Design Manager:

Can you set up projects for success, and ensure they are executed to high brand standards? Are you enthusiastic about collaborating effectively with partners across an organization?  Do you have a passion for design, and strive to make each project better than the last? If this is you, we want you to join our team. CAVA is a rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant and CPG brand focusing on fresh, Mediterranean-inspired, better-for-you cuisine. Born from our full-service restaurants, our chef-driven fast-casual format is currently in four states with further expansion ahead. We are looking for a Senior Design Manager to join the Development Group at CAVA, helping us reach new communities with each new location.

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for performing, coordinating, and/or managing design activities during pre-lease and design phases for the national expansion of CAVA restaurants and CAVA Products production facilities.
• Assist Real Estate team in the evaluation of prospective locations and provide feedback on draft Letter of Intent and/or Landlord Work Letter. Provide initial test fits and lease exhibits for sites.
• Coordinate internal meetings with cross-functional partners for final design approval.
• Prepare initial project schedules in conjunction with internal stakeholders for review/approval by corporate leadership.
• Manage Design Consultants’ project contracts, scope of work, and schedules. Review and ensure consultant deliverables are in accordance with design and brand standards.
• Work with internal development partners and Design Consultants to prepare full project due diligence reports.
• Coordinate with Utility Consultants during due diligence. Review site reports with Design/Engineering Consultants to provide scope of work assessments to project team.
• Moderate Project Kick-Off meetings with internal stakeholders and Consultants.
• Review and coordinate Landlord’s scope of work with Design Consultants’ Construction Documents.
• Coordinate design activities by various vendors during design phase, including architect, MEP engineer, kitchen equipment vendor, internal/external signage vendor(s), millwork fabricator, etc.
• Review design documents and specifications and facilitate various reviews by CAVA team members.
• Assist Construction Managers to validate project budgets are in accordance with scope of work.
• Facilitate Landlord approvals of CAVA’s design, as required.
• Work with licensed Consultants to oversee jurisdictional approvals and building permits are obtained for projects. Attend jurisdictional approval meetings to present designs, as required.
• Travel to restaurant sites in any CAVA markets and attend construction progress meetings as needed, to ensure brand standards and project requirements are met.
• Partner with Construction team to resolve on-site issues, provide sketches and responses as necessary to Contractor RFI’s.
• Maintain detailed files for all projects in accordance with CAVA filing standards.
• Collaborate with internal partners to evaluate and enhance brand recognition and design standards.
• Assist Department leadership in various brand initiatives that may include concept/schematic design, interior and industrial design.
• Assist Department leadership with design presentations and R&D.
• Identify opportunities for the use of new technology and materials.

The Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years’ post-collegiate experience designing hospitality/retail/restaurant projects.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working for a company with a roll-out program (retail/restaurants/hospitality).
• Minimum 1 years’ experience overseeing the design of restaurant or similar foodservice projects, with knowledge of health code requirements and restaurant infrastructure (HVAC and exhaust systems, kitchen equipment, etc).
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite proficient.
• Rendering, 3D modeling, and hand sketching skills a plus.
• Able to manage several projects and consultants simultaneously, and work with multiple project stakeholders across the organization.
• Strong communication and time management skills.
• Knowledge of retail/restaurant/hospitality design industry trends and best practices.
• Positive attitude with team-driven mentality and detail oriented approach.
• Ability to travel up to 30% throughout CAVA markets.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
• For certain positions, must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds
• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
• Constantly positions self and move about to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations, as applicable
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner  

What we offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives*
• Early Wage Access!
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
• Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*
• Free CAVA food
• Casual work environment
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
• All exempt and non exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
• Please note that visa sponsorship is not available
• The posted range is an all-cash range

*Indicates qualifying eligible positions only

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.