Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under its umbrella – SALT, Parker’s, Grind, Somewhere, Public, Soil and Kumo.
We’re looking for a Design Director to lead the creative and experiential vision of a fast-growing, design-led F&B group operating across multiple brands, formats, and markets.This role is about defining what our brands feel like in space, and ensuring that vision scales with integrity as we grow.You will own brand experience through design, lead concept creation and evolution, and build the systems that allow multiple teams and partners to deliver consistently, without diluting the brand.
Key Responsibilities:
1- Brand & Spatial Vision:
Define and evolve the spatial identity of each brandTranslate brand DNA into clear design and experience principlesEnsure every location delivers a consistent, intentional guest experience, regardless of size, format, or market
2- Concept Creation & Brand Evolution
Lead design direction for:New brands and conceptsFlagship locationsFormat innovations (kiosks, pop-ups, drive-thru, malls etc)Brand evolution (2.0 / 3.0 models)Think beyond aesthetics, balancing experience, operations, scalability, and storytelling
3- Design Systems & Guidelines
Build and maintain scalable design frameworks, including:Design guidelines and manualsMaterial palettes and principlesLayout logic and zoning rulesAdaptation rules for different site typesEnable speed and consistency without compromising creativity or brand integrity
4- Creative Direction & Governance
Select, brief, and creatively guide external architects and studiosAct as the creative authority and quality gatekeeperReview concepts, layouts, and adaptations to ensure brand alignmentProtect design intent across owned and franchised locations
5- Collaboration & Storytelling
• Work closely with internal rollout, technical, and operations teams• Support expansion pitches, brand presentations, and new market entries• Contribute to long-term brand strategy through experiential insight
6- Design Team Leadership & Program Oversight
Lead, manage, and align internal design resources (design managers, coordinators, studios) and external design partners (architects, consultants, agencies)Ensure all internal and external teams are working to a clear, unified design vision and standardsOwn and maintain the design program across brands and projects, including:Design scope definitionKey milestones and deliverablesReview cycles and approval stagesEnsure the design program is structured, realistic, and consistently followed across all projectsMonitor design progress to ensure timelines, quality, and brand intent are upheldIdentify risks, misalignment, or quality gaps early and intervene to course-correctWork closely with Operations / Project teams to ensure seamless handover from design intent to execution
Must-Have Experience:
• 10+ years in interior design or experiential design (F&B, retail, or hospitality required)• Strong creative portfolio showing brand-led concepts and built spaces• Experience managing multi-location or multi-brand retail/F&B design programs• Knowledge of materials, sensory design, and space storytelling• Experience developing design manuals or scalable brand toolkit• Skilled in leading external architects or agencies to achieve brand-aligned results• Fluent in concept development, space planning, mood boards, and design presentations• Comfortable reviewing shop drawings, layouts, and deliverables in collaboration with technical teams• Strong communicator and team collaborator across creative, technical, and operations
