Design Manager

CAVA; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CAVA is looking for an Associate Concept Design Manager passionate about design and collaboration. This remote role with a preference for NYC-based applicants involves overseeing design projects for restaurant expansions, ensuring high brand standards and fostering partnerships across departments. Join a rapidly growing company committed to authenticity and community.

Benefits

Unlimited PTO

Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine

401k enrollment with contribution

Free CAVA food

Casual work environment

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in hospitality/retail/restaurant design.
• 1+ years in a company with a roll-out program.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing design activities during national expansion of restaurants.
• Create test fits and develop design concepts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for final design approval.

Skills

Visual communication

Concepting skills

Time management

Communication

Hand sketching

Tools

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Sketchup/3D modeling

Job description

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, Always: 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.
  
  

Associate Concept Design Manager (Remote role with preference to be NYC based)

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 26 states with further expansion ahead. We are looking for an Associate Concept Design Manager to join the Development and Design Team at CAVA, helping us reach new communities with each new location.

What You’ll Do

• Assist Principal Design Manager in performing, coordinating, and/or managing design activities during pre-lease and design phases for the national expansion of CAVA restaurants.
• Create initial test fits and lease exhibits for prospective new restaurant sites.
• Develop design concepts and refinements related to FFE with particular focus on millwork, lighting and architectural integration.
• Develop concept renderings for both full restaurant experiences, as well as smaller-scale details.
• Collaborate with internal partners to evaluate and enhance brand recognition and design standards.
• Coordinate internal meetings with cross-functional stakeholders for final design approval.
• Assist Principal Design Manager in reviewing Design Consultants’ project contracts, scope of work, and schedules. Review and ensure consultant deliverables are in accordance with design and brand standards.
• Assist Department leadership with design presentations and R&D.
• Identify opportunities for the use of new technology and materials.
• Assist Department leadership in various brand initiatives that may include concept/schematic design, interior and industrial design.
• Review project due diligence reports in preparation for Project Kick-Off calls.
• Coordinate with Utility Consultants during due diligence. Review site reports with Design/Engineering Consultants to provide scope of work assessments to project team.
• Attend Project Kick-Off meetings with internal stakeholders and Consultants.
• Review and coordinate Landlord’s scope of work with Design Consultants’ Construction Documents.
• Assist Design Manager with 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.
• Facilitate Landlord approvals of CAVA’s design, 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.
  
  

The Qualifications

• 3+ years post-collegiate experience designing hospitality/retail/restaurant projects.
• 1+ years of experience working for a company with a roll-out program (retail/restaurants/hospitality).
• 1+ years of experience designing restaurant or similar foodservice projects, with knowledge of health code requirements and restaurant infrastructure (HVAC and exhaust systems, kitchen equipment, etc.)
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign required), Sketchup/3D modeling proficient.
• Strong visual communication and concepting skills with ability to create 2D and 3D images for presentations.
• 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, be able to research trends, design elements and best practices.
• Positive attitude with team-driven mentality and detail-oriented approach.
• Ability to travel up to 30% throughout CAVA markets.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods
• Must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Must be able to identify, assess and observe detail
• Must be able to push and pull up to 35 pounds
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to sit, squat and kneel occasionally
• Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
• May be required to occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions
  
  

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 posting 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. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

Skills

Restaurant Design