Director, Architecture & Interior Design - Global Franchise

Director, Architecture & Interior Design - Global Franchise

Full-Time 90000 - 110000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global franchise design and construction, ensuring brand standards and compliance.
  • Company: Join Gap Inc., a leader in iconic American brands shaping culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on store designs across 60 countries and diverse markets.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in architecture or design, with strong leadership and global market experience.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.

In this role, you are responsible for the architectural, engineering, and permitting strategy and oversight of all franchise design and construction activities by leveraging Gap Inc.'s enterprise store design standards.

As a leader, you will inform, manage, and mitigate risk across cost, quality, and schedule-from initial design adaptation through final construction documentation and execution.

While responsible for store design standard implementation and adaption, the role requires strong design skills coupled with savvy design management acumen to manage a global program.

Operating within a leveraged model, you will translate enterprise standards into scalable, buildable solutions for franchise partners, ensuring consistent brand expression while enabling compliance with local codes, landlord requirements, and regional market conditions.

This role requires close collaboration with internal cross-functional teams and external franchise partners, consultants, governing agencies, vendors and to ensure successful project delivery across all store formats and geographies.

Spanning 50 partners, 60 countries, a spectrum of store typologies, and country-wide launch initiatives, this team seeks and entrepreneurial spirited leader with a passion for creativity and organizational excellence.

What you'll do

  • Leverage and operationalize Gap Inc.'s Enterprise Store Design Standards across all franchise projects.
  • Translate design intent into technical architectural, interior and engineering requirements that are executable across diverse global markets.
  • Ensure all projects adhere to brand design standards, prototype templates, specifications, and layout requirements.
  • Partner with Enterprise teams to provide feedback and continuously improve standards based on franchise execution insights.
  • Manage a portfolio of cross-brand franchise projects, ensuring delivery against cost, schedule, and quality goals.
  • Oversee all phases of project execution including feasibility, design adaptation, permitting, and construction.
  • Review and approve drawings and technical documentation from franchise partners and their consultants.
  • Ensure alignment with landlord criteria, local, state, and international building codes and regulations.
  • Inform and mitigate risk across all projects related to cost, constructability, code compliance, and schedule.
  • Apply deep knowledge of construction sequencing, building systems, and permitting processes to guide execution.
  • Evaluate complex project conditions using multiple sources of information (internal and external) to drive decision‑making.
  • Act as the primary A&E partner to franchisees, architects, engineers, and general contractors.
  • Provide clear guidance, tools, and frameworks to enable consistent execution of enterprise standards.
  • Build strong relationships across global markets to support scalable and repeatable delivery.
  • Collaborate closely with Real Estate, Real Estate Law, Finance, Store Operations, Field Leadership, Loss Prevention, and Gap Tech.
  • Align with Construction, Procurement, and Store Design teams to ensure seamless execution from concept to opening.
  • Lead and influence cross-functional initiatives tied to store development, pilots, and innovation.
  • Measure project and partner performance using analytics, metrics, and scorecards.
  • Drive continuous improvement in processes, tools, and execution efficiency.
  • Contribute to new store concepts, pilots, and strategic initiatives that enhance the store development lifecycle.
  • Set direction, priorities, and policies for franchise A&E execution within the leveraged model.
  • Lead planning, budgeting, and resource alignment to achieve business objectives.
  • Guide team and stakeholders through complex, multi-market challenges with a structured and solution‑oriented approach.
    10+ years of experience in architecture, interiors, design, engineering, or store development in retail or commercial environments.
  • Experience in retail programming, planning and store design layouts
  • Experience working within enterprise standards systems, guidelines and/or leveraged business models strongly preferred.
  • Ability to guide design intent with strong leadership from concept to construction.
  • Franchise and/or international retail market experience is required.
  • Experience with adapting construction materials, fixtures and fabrication across global markets.
  • Strong proficiency in Auto CAD/Revit and construction documentation.
  • Demonstrated expertise in construction sequencing, permitting and regulatory compliance.

At Gap Inc., we create culture as much as we create clothes.

Our ambition is to become a high‑performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture.

Our portfolio-Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta‑each brings a distinct point of view to how we show up in the world and serve our customers.

Old Navy democratizes style with quality and value for all.

Gap champions originality through essential pieces that celebrate individuality.

Banana Republic is rooted in a spirit of discovery, creating modern pieces inspired by craftsmanship and travel.

Athleta champions the Power of She through confidence, strength, and movement.

We’re driven by a shared purpose: to bridge gaps‑between people, perspectives, and possibilities‑to create a better world.

We’re building a team that performs at a high level‑people who think boldly, take ownership, and turn ideas into impact.

If you’re ready to learn fast and help shape what’s next, you’ll fit right in.

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Director, Architecture & Interior Design - Global Franchise employer: The Gap, Inc.

Join a dynamic team at our Northwich site, where we prioritise employee growth and development in a supportive work culture. As a Lead Multiskilled Engineer, you'll enjoy competitive pay, including overtime opportunities, and the chance to lead a dedicated engineering team in a fast-paced environment. Our commitment to safety and efficiency ensures that you will play a vital role in our manufacturing strategy while benefiting from a flexible continental shift schedule.

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Contact Details:

The Gap, Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Architecture & Interior Design - Global Franchise

Get Your Portfolio Game On Point

As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!

Slide into Networking Events

Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from The Gap, Inc. who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!

Learn the Software Inside Out

Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.

Refine Your Interview Skills

Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Architecture & Interior Design - Global Franchise

Architectural Design
Engineering Oversight
Permitting Strategy
Project Management
Design Management
Construction Documentation
Risk Mitigation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!

Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at The Gap, Inc.!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to The Gap, Inc.. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!

Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Gap, Inc.

Master the Technical Questions

In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability

In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at The Gap, Inc..