Director of Architecture

Frisco, TX - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 140000 - 190000

Posted on: 05-11-2025

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Architecture Director (Licensed) Quick-Service Restaurant Programs

Location: Frisco TX (North Dallas)
Company: Zebra Architecture (Zebra Global) - Represented by Luxus Group Recruiting Commercial Interior Design & Architecture focused on brand experiences

About Zebra

Zebra is a global commercial interior design and architecture firm that transforms retail hospitality and branded environments at scaledelivering rollouts and flagship experiences for consumer brands worldwide. Our team has executed programs across 100 countries including fast-casual/QSR concepts and multi-site retail.

The Opportunity

Were hiring a licensed Architecture Director to lead our Frisco TX studio focused on a national Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) client with strong household-name recognition. Youll own client leadership office and team management program delivery and speed-to-market results across multi-state site adaptations and new builds.

What Youll Lead

Client Leadership & Growth
- Serve as day-to-day executive liaison for a fast-growing national QSR brand; drive roadmap budgets and performance KPIs (cycle time first-pass permit approvals change-order rate).
- Translate brand and business goals into scalable prototypes standards and playbooks for multi-site delivery.
Studio & People Leadership
- Lead a cross-functional team (project managers architects designers and coordinators); set resourcing plans utilization targets QA/QC and mentoring pathways.
- Build hiring plans; elevate culture coaching and performance feedback; uphold health/safety practices.
Program & Technical Execution
- Oversee prototype maintenance and site adaptations (ground-up in-line end-cap pad sites drive-thru dual-lane).
- Direct code analysis zoning/land-use due diligence and permitting strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
- Ensure compliance with IBC ADA/TAS energy codes and local amendments; coordinate MEP/structural and vendor partners.
- Establish speed-to-permit and speed-to-start benchmarks; implement checklists submittal packages and drawing standards.
Quality Risk & Financials
- Own QA/QC gates from schematic through CDs; reduce RFIs and rework by applying lessons learned.
- Manage fee proposals scope and profitability; forecast pipeline; drive on-time/on-budget delivery.
Partnerships & Brand Experience
- Align with clients real-estate operations and branding teams; elevate prototypical details that improve throughput acoustics lighting and guest experience.

What You Bring

Professional license (U.S.) in Architecture; NCARB preferred. Ability to gain TX reciprocity if not already licensed in TX.
1015 years in architectural practice with program/rollout leadership; QSR fast-casual retail or multi-site experience required.
Demonstrated office/studio leadership: people management hiring mentoring utilization and P&L awareness.
Mastery of Revit familiarity with AutoCAD and Bluebeam; comfort with BIM standards model audits and coordination workflows.
Strong jurisdictional navigation: entitlement permitting health department and landlord review processes in multiple states.
Excellent client-facing communication decision-making and executive presence.

Nice to Have

Experience optimizing drive-thru layouts kitchen adjacencies and back-of-house efficiency for throughput.
Experience with national brand guidelines prototype governance and value-engineering for cost/schedule.
LEED/WELL or similar credential; multi-region permit strategy experience.

Success in 612 Months Looks Like

Studio utilization consistently at target; quality KPIs trending up and rework trending down.
Prototype updated and standardized; average permit approval lead time reduced across priority municipalities.
High client NPS/CSAT; additional scopes awarded due to performance and trust.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary Range: $140000 $190000 plus annual performance bonus; comprehensive benefits package.
Relocation assistance available for out-of-market leaders.

Travel

Regional travel for site walks AHJ meetings and key client sessions (generally <20%).

Required Experience:

Director

Architecture Director (Licensed) Quick-Service Restaurant ProgramsLocation: Frisco TX (North Dallas)Company: Zebra Architecture (Zebra Global) - Represented by Luxus Group Recruiting Commercial Interior Design & Architecture focused on brand experiencesAbout ZebraZebra is a global commercial inter...