Global Shop Design Leader — Standards & Prototypes

Accrue Partners; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AccruePartners is seeking a Director of Store Design to lead the global shop design strategy for a well-established consumer brand. You will own architectural design, global prototypes, materials, fixtures, brand standards, and design governance, partnering with Operations, Marketing, IT, and Procurement to scale internationally.

Onsite in Charlotte, NC (3x per week), you will guide a team, shape processes, and collaborate with franchise partners and external architecture firms across markets to

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in architecture, design, construction, or development within retail, hospitality, restaurants, or the food and beverage industry.
• Strong ability to read construction documents and evaluate architectural plans and design submissions.
• Experience in global design governance, brand standards, prototype development, or architectural documentation across a multi-location business.
• International experience working across markets and cultures; experience with franchise partners, or external architecture firms is valuable.
• Proven people leadership, with the ability to build trust, develop talent, and lead a team through change while maintaining cross-functional relationships.
• A strategic, commercially minded leader who can balance brand consistency and customer experience with construction feasibility, cost control, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain global design standards and governance across company-owned, franchised, and joint venture locations.
• Lead the evolution of global shop prototypes and layouts to improve constructability, cost efficiency, and speed of delivery.
• Oversee architectural submissions and design documentation to ensure brand consistency while accommodating local regulations and market requirements.
• Influence early-stage development through site evaluations, architectural test fits, and prototype adaptations that account for specialized production equipment and operational workflows.
• Strengthen the design function by developing the team, improving collaboration with external partners, and creating scalable processes that support long-term international growth.

Skills

Leadership

Global coordination

Design governance

Brand standards

Job description

AccruePartners is seeking a Director of Store Design to lead the global shop design strategy for a well-established consumer brand. You will own architectural design, global prototypes, materials, fixtures, brand standards, and design governance, partnering with Operations, Marketing, IT, and Procurement to scale internationally.

Onsite in Charlotte, NC (3x per week), you will guide a team, shape processes, and collaborate with franchise partners and external architecture firms across markets to