Are you a hands-on design leader passionate about fostering team performance and strengthening execution? Do you thrive on driving strategic design execution for best-in-class hospitality spaces? If so, we are looking for you!
Earls Kitchen + Bar is seeking a strategic and empowering Manager, Design with 8+ years of experience, including a minimum of 2 years in a Senior role, to join our Store Development team in Vancouver, BC. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on empowering team performance, strengthening execution, and elevating design outcomes.
The Manager, Design leads a team of designers focused on the successful delivery of Earls Projects. This role provides essential day-to-day leadership, project oversight, and technical and creative guidance to ensure all projects are executed in alignment with the design brief, brand standards, and operational requirements.
Working closely with cross-functional partners, including Kitchen + Bar, Construction, and Facilities, this role plays a key part in aligning processes, refining standards, and supporting consistent, high-quality project delivery.
Role Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Development
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Lead, mentor, and support a team of designers, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture grounded in accountability, growth, and creative excellence.
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Lead onboarding and training of designers to Earls workflow, project lifecycles, and technical platforms (CAD & SketchUp).
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Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development planning, ensuring designers are progressing toward advancement milestones and key role competencies.
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Regularly assess technical and creative capabilities across the design team, providing targeted mentorship to strengthen skill development, creative confidence, and project execution.
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Maintain a consistent in-person presence at the Vancouver Head Office to provide hands-on mentorship, foster collaboration, and support real-time project navigation.
Project Oversight & Execution
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Oversee multiple projects, ensuring alignment with design intent, timelines, project scope, and budget.
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Guide designers through all phases of project execution from concept through construction.
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Ensure design solutions are delivered to a high standard, both creatively and technically.
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Provide strategic input and problem-solving support on complex or high-risk projects.
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Translate project learnings into actionable updates to design standards, details, and documentation to improve efficiency and consistency across future projects.
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Flexibility to work outside standard business hours as required to support installations, overnight work, and key project milestones.
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Ability to travel throughout North America in support of new store projects, site visits, and openings.
Design Standards & Quality Assurance
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Uphold and reinforce brand design standards across all projects.
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Support solutions for on-site design conflicts through collaboration and negotiation with Earls PMs and General Contractors, balancing brand standards with site constraints.
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Ensure consistency across consultant drawing coordination and accuracy of information and specifications.
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Conduct critical design reviews at key project milestones to ensure quality assurance and cross-functional alignment.
Process Alignment & Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Collaborate with Kitchen + Bar, Construction, and Facilities teams to align on project requirements and workflows.
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Support the development and continuous improvement of design processes and tools.
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Support and evolve systems and processes that enable consistent, high-quality project execution.
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Ensure clear communication and coordination between design and cross-functional partners.
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Contribute to resolving gaps or inefficiencies in project execution.
Schedule & Resource Management
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Provide guidance on project timelines, workload planning, and resource allocation.
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Support designers in managing priorities and meeting key milestones.
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Identify risks to schedule or delivery and proactively address them.
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Work with the Director, Design on resourcing and capacity planning across all active & pipeline projects, ensuring projects are appropriately staffed and supported.
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Accountable for developing a pipeline of designers through local KPU, BCIT & other CIDA-accredited internship programs.
Franchise Collaboration & Support
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Support Franchise partners in the planning and execution of design, renovation, and capital improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with Earls brand standards and operational objectives.
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Act as a key design and project resource for Franchise partners, providing guidance on design intent, processes, standards, workflows, and project execution as required.
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Collaborate with Franchise Leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to support project planning, scope development, budgeting, scheduling, and strategic decision-making.
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Facilitate alignment between Franchise partners, consultants, vendors, and internal teams to ensure consistency in communication, design quality, and project delivery across the portfolio.
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Provide support and direction on FF&E, finishes, and procurement-related decisions to maintain consistency with evolving brand standards.
Qualifications
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8+ years of experience in interior design, with a minimum of 2 years as a Sr. Designer and a focus on hospitality, retail, or multi-unit environments.
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Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from a CIDA-Accredited Program.
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Previous experience in a leadership or mentorship capacity with strong coaching abilities.
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Strong understanding of construction documentation, detailing, and project delivery processes.
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Proven ability to manage multiple projects and teams in a fast-paced environment.
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Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners (e.g., construction, operations, consultants).
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High level of technical design proficiency and attention to detail.
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Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
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Ability to balance creative vision with operational and technical requirements.
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Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
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Strong Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Enscape, Photoshop, Microsoft Office & Google software, budget management, and tools (preference for Smartsheet).
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Ability to travel throughout North America in support of new store projects, site visits, and openings.
What Does Success Look Like
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Projects are consistently delivered on time, on brief, and to a high standard.
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Designers feel supported, challenged, and clear on expectations.
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Design standards are upheld and continuously improved.
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Cross-functional teams experience strong alignment and collaboration.
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Risks are identified early and managed effectively.
Bonus Points
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A sense of humour.
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A serious passion for food - we like to eat around here (sometimes wine is involved).
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Open to personal development and growth.
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The drive to succeed and the passion to be a part of Earls growth.
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Big team player – able to be both a leader and also support those around them.
What We Offer
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Competitive annual salary starting from $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, complemented by all the perks and benefits below
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Comprehensive health care benefits effective from your first day
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A healthy lifestyle spending account to support you in living your best life
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Employee Assistance Program
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Earls 50% discount card for food and drinks at all Earls Kitchen + Bar, the Beachhouse, Birdies Eats & Drinks, LOCAL Public Eatery, and JOEY Restaurants locations
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4 weeks vacation
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Make Life Awesome Week
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Opportunity to be a part of our partner-led Employee Resource Groups (ERG), designed to bring our greater communities together through mutual causes and shared experiences
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Flexibility with our Hybrid work from home/office model
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Bring your furry friend to work in our dog-friendly office
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Office amenities include a rooftop patio, lockers, showers, a full kitchen, and collaborative workspaces
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Travel opportunities for company events, new restaurant openings, and more!
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Leadership programs with career development and opportunities for advancement
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Awards, recognitions, team-building events, and more!
APPLY NOW
Please submit your application and your portfolio. We will be in touch with suitable candidates as applications come through. We look forward to hearing from you!
Earls is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination. We believe bringing together people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities is essential to our success, and brings us closer to living our purpose to Make Life Awesome.
All employment decisions inclusive of recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotions, and terminations are based on qualifications, competencies, and merit, without the consideration of any legally protected ground. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
