
Director of Design
- Vancouver, BC
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Shape the design strategy for all Northland-owned hotels, restaurants, and facilities.
- Lead a talented in-house design team and manage external consultants.
- Oversee large-scale, multi-million-dollar design and procurement initiatives.
- Ensure every project reflects our brand identity, operational needs, and guest expectations.
- Leadership & Strategy
- Provide strategic direction and vision for the Design Department.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of department managers, project managers, designers, and procurement specialists.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Manage departmental budgets, resource planning, and project scheduling.
- Drive process improvements and change initiatives aligned with company goals.
- Represent Northland at corporate and industry events.
- Design & Creative Direction
- Establish and maintain a cohesive aesthetic vision across all corporate properties.
- Develop and enforce design guidelines, including architectural, brand, furnishings, and safety standards.
- Oversee all phases of design projects—from concept to installation—ensuring alignment with brand, budget, and schedule.
- Manage outsourced design work and external consultant relationships.
- Integrate sustainable practices and emerging trends into design solutions.
- Project Management
- Direct planning, execution, and evaluation of multiple concurrent projects valued at $25M+ each.
- Define scopes, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress to ensure timely delivery.
- Conduct site reviews to maintain design intent through construction.
- Collaborate closely with development, construction, and operations teams.
- Manage consultant contracts, scopes of work, and pre-construction engineering selection.
- Oversee construction administration, including RFIs, ASIs, and shop drawing reviews.
- Capture and implement lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Procurement & Vendor Management
- Oversee strategic procurement across multiple categories for design and construction.
- Manage a $250M+ budget, ensuring cost-effective, timely delivery of materials.
- Lead vendor selection, negotiation, and relationship management.
- Develop procurement policies, QA/QC processes, and inventory tracking systems.
- Experience: 15+ years in design leadership within hospitality, commercial, or related industries, managing large-scale projects from concept to completion.
- Leadership: Proven ability to inspire, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
- Design Expertise: Strong creative vision with refined aesthetic judgment, aligned with brand and operational needs.
- Collaboration: Skilled at working across disciplines with architects, engineers, contractors, and brand leaders.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of building codes, safety standards, and construction best practices.
- Tools: Proficient in SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and project management platforms.
- Trend Awareness: Up-to-date on sustainability, innovation, and hospitality design trends.
- Travel: Willing to travel up to 20% of the time across Canada and the US.
- Extended health, dental, and vision coverage
- Group life insurance
- Annual bonus opportunities
- RRSP matching (after 6 months)
- Company cell phone or monthly reimbursement
- Discounts at Northland hotels, resorts, and select restaurants
- Half-price lift tickets at Grouse Mountain and Revelstoke Mountain Resort
- Free mental health support & counselling
- A collaborative, friendly, and inclusive work environment
- The opportunity to shape the future of hospitality design in a growing organization