Head of Architecture

IHG Hotels & Resorts; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

IHG Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Head of Architecture to lead regional architecture and planning for Luxury & Lifestyle hotels. You will guide projects from early planning to completion, aligning brand ambition, guest experience, and owner returns with the portfolio strategy.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Architecture and 15+ years in hospitality/retail design, with strong leadership, executive communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture is required.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in hospitality, retail, or mixed-use design, construction, and project delivery.
• Knowledge of operations, construction principles, and applicable codes and regulations.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams, external consultants, and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional executive communication, presentation, influence, and organizational skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional architecture and planning strategy across Luxury & Lifestyle development, conversion, renovation, and repositioning projects.
• Set market-relevant architectural direction for brand development, facilities, and master planning.
• Guide complex projects from early planning through completion, balancing brand integrity, guest experience, owner returns, and long-term portfolio value.
• Lead and develop the architecture team, fostering collaboration, design excellence, and cross-functional partnership.
• Manage external consultants and resources to meet workload and project needs.

Skills

Executive communication

Presentation

Influence

Organizational skills

Software proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

Tools

Design software

Job description

The Head of Architecture leads planning and architectural strategy for Luxury & Lifestyle hotels across the assigned regions, guiding a team of architects and partnering across Development, Brand, Operations, Construction, Asset Management, Ownership, and external design partners. The role shapes projects from early planning through completion, aligning brand ambition, guest experience, owner priorities, design quality, and commercial objectives to strengthen portfolio performance and long-term value.

Your Day-to-Day

Regional Portfolio Leadership

• Lead regional architecture and planning strategy across Luxury & Lifestyle development, conversion, renovation, and repositioning projects.
• Set market-relevant architectural direction for brand development, facilities, and master planning.
• Guide complex projects from early planning through completion, balancing brand integrity, guest experience, owner returns, and long-term portfolio value.

Design Strategy & Brand Stewardship

• Set the architectural vision for Luxury & Lifestyle brands across the region, aligned with brand standards and guest experience.
• Evolve design solutions for new markets and development typologies while maintaining brand relevance.
• Protect design intent while balancing operational, technical, and commercial requirements.

Owner & Stakeholder Leadership

• Serve as the senior partner to owners, investors, developers, and business leaders, aligning stakeholders around design direction, project requirements, and Luxury & Lifestyle standards.
• Lead and develop the architecture team, fostering collaboration, design excellence, and strong cross-functional partnership.
• Influence owner and operational decisions through clear, confident communication of design intent, architectural requirements, and business priorities.
• Build alignment across key internal and external partners to enable timely decision-making and effective project delivery.
• Manage external consultants and resources to meet workload, specialist expertise, and project needs.
• Advance enterprise learning and cross-pollination by sharing architectural insights, best practices, and lessons learned across brands, regions, and disciplines.

Project Governance & Decision-Making

• Provide regional oversight of portfolio priorities, risks, and key decisions, escalating critical issues as needed.
• Drive timely resolution of project challenges, balancing brand and design ambition with local codes, operational needs, constructability, and commercial realities.
• Establish clear frameworks for consistent, disciplined decision-making across the regional portfolio.

Financial & Resource Management

• Own the departmental operating budget and team expenses, ensuring disciplined financial management.
• Manage consultant spend and deploy internal and external resources in line with portfolio priorities, workload, and business needs.

What We Need from You

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in hospitality, retail, or mixed-use design, construction, and project delivery.
• Knowledge of operations, construction principles, and applicable codes and regulations.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams, external consultants, and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional executive communication, presentation, influence, and organizational skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in current design and business software and applications.
• Collaborative, forward-thinking leadership style with the confidence and judgment to guide complex projects and make difficult recommendations.

Location

Atlanta, Georgia. The hybrid work structure expects three days per week in the office.

This expectation may be adjusted as the needs of the business evolve.