Director, Architecture & Interior Design – Global Franchise
Job Description
About the Role
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.
Who You Are
- 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 AutoCAD/Revit and construction documentation.
- Demonstrated expertise in construction sequencing, permitting and regulatory compliance.