Project & Design Head - Civil

Brand Led Design:

- Translate Coffee Island's brand identity, design philosophy, and approved brand standards into distinctive caf environments.

- Create cafs that stand out through impactful storefronts, thoughtful interiors, lighting, materials, furniture, signage, and visual merchandising.

- Ensure every caf delivers a cohesive brand experience while adapting the design to the location, available space and commercial potential.

- Develop innovative design concepts that make Coffee Island cafs recognizable and memorable.

- Create spaces that showcase specialty coffee craftsmanship and encourage customers to explore, connect, work, and spend time in the caf.

- Ensure that design decisions enhance customer experience, product visibility, ease of ordering, service flow, seating comfort, and operational efficiency.

- Establish design benchmarks and standardised specifications to maintain consistency across all Coffee Island outlets while allowing for location-specific differentiation.

End to End Project Delivery:

- Site Feasibility - Evaluate proposed locations for layout feasibility, frontage, visibility, access, utilities, kitchen/service requirements, and design potential.

- Lead the complete project lifecycle, from site assessment and concept design to detailed drawings, budgeting, execution, quality checks, snag closure, and final handover.

- Convert approved designs into practical, execution-ready plans and ensure that the finished caf matches the approved concept.

- Ensure that every project is delivered within agreed timelines and budgets without compromising the Coffee Island brand experience or quality standards.

- Manage architects, designers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers to ensure timely execution and accountability.

- Conduct regular site inspections and resolve design deviations, construction issues, and execution gaps.

JOB TITLE : Sr. Manager/AGM-Design & Projects

DEPARTMENT : Design//Projects

REPORTING TO: CEO

SUMMARY :

- This position will be responsible for creating standout Coffee Island cafs that bring the brand to life through distinctive design, thoughtful planning and memorable customer experiences.

- The role will lead the end to end design and execution of new cafs, ensuring every outlet reflects Coffee Island's brand identity, premium yet approachable positioning, and commitment to specialty coffee. Each caf should be visually distinctive, commercially viable, and designed to attract customers, encourage repeat visits, and strengthen brand recall. The incumbent will establish scalable design and project execution standards that enable Coffee Island to expand consistently.

- Ensure that all cafs are fully ready for operational handover in line with committed opening dates.

Budget Ownership & Commercial Accountability:

- Prepare project wise budgets, BOQs, cost estimates, and cash-flow plans.

- Track approved versus actual expenditure and seek approvals for deviations before committing additional costs.

- Drive value engineering and cost optimisation without compromising Coffee

Island's design standards or customer experience:

- Ensure accurate measurement and certification of completed work before vendor payments.

Technical, Statutory & Quality Compliance:

- Ensure coordination and compliance with applicable building, fire safety, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, accessibility, and other relevant technical requirements.

- Ensure execution complies with approved drawings, specifications, safety protocols, and applicable statutory requirements.

- Establish quality checklists, inspection protocols, and standard acceptance criteria for all projects.

- Ensure timely identification and closure of snags, defects, and construction related issues before project handover.

Design Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

- Benchmark caf design trends, customer expectations, materials, and innovative retail concepts to keep Coffee Island relevant and differentiated.

- Identify opportunities to improve existing cafs through refurbishment, layout optimisation, lighting upgrades, furniture changes, and enhanced brand presentation.

- Introduce cost-effective, durable, and scalable design solutions that can be replicated across multiple locations.

- Evaluate completed projects to identify improvements in customer experience, space utilisation, maintenance, and execution efficiency.

- Ensure design innovation strengthens the Coffee Island identity rather than creating inconsistency across outlets.

Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Interior Design

- 4-12 years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing projects and design.

- Proven experience in retail, cafs, restaurants, QSR, hospitality, or multi-location commercial fit-outs.

- Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, including new builds, interior fit outs, and renovations.

- Strong understanding of architectural and interior design, civil works, MEP services, BOQs, contracts, procurement, and project cost management.

Required Skills & Competencies:

- Strong project planning, execution, and delivery capabilities.

- Sound understanding of architectural design, space planning, materials, and construction methodologies.

- Commercial acumen

- Strong vendor negotiation and contract management skills.

- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

- Proficiency in project management tools, AutoCAD, and relevant design and reporting software.

- Excellent communication, leadership, and team management skills.

- Willingness to travel regularly to project sites across locations.