Director of Design and Construction

About Escapology

Escapology is a rapidly expanding escape room franchise operating both within the United States and internationally. We prioritize delivering exceptional and immersive experiences for guests, with the quality of our physical environments serving as the cornerstone of this promise. As our company scales aggressively through 2027 and beyond, the design, ambiance, and functionality of our spaces become increasingly critical to our brand identity, franchisees, and guests alike.

Role Overview

We are searching for a Director of Design and Construction who combines a design-driven mindset with hands-on construction expertise. This leader will oversee Escapology locations from conceptualization all the way through completed build-outs. Ideal candidates will hold a degree in architecture or interior design and possess significant experience managing contractors, timelines, and budgets, ensuring that the final environments resonate with the intended guest experience on both obvious and subtle levels. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this person will collaborate across corporate sites, franchise projects, and brand standards development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and maintenance of design standards that define Escapology’s visual and spatial identity, including elements such as layouts, materials, lighting, theming, signage, and overall brand atmosphere.
• Drive the process of advancing corporate locations from initial design to construction documentation while preserving creative vision throughout all stages.
• Develop approved floor plan options and design packages to enable franchisees to build standardized yet adaptable spaces across diverse markets and layouts.
• Stay ahead of trends in experiential design, hospitality, and entertainment environments to keep Escapology’s physical product competitive.
• Manage all aspects of corporate build-outs—permitting through punch list—with full responsibility for budgets, schedules, and quality control.
• Coordinate general contractors, specialty vendors, and design consultants managing multiple projects simultaneously across regions.
• Keep detailed project tracking and deliver regular status reports, highlighting risks and decisions, to the Chief Development Officer.
• Oversee repair and maintenance during the initial year after opening to rapidly resolve issues and integrate learnings into future builds.
• Provide guidance and support to franchisees during their build process, ensuring adherence to brand standards without relying excessively on bespoke consultations.
• Collaborate closely with Franchise Development teams to verify franchisees’ construction readiness and advise on space selection based on design and constructability.
• Build and nurture relationships with preferred vendors and contractors, aiming to enhance quality, reduce costs, and accelerate timelines across the system.
• Evaluate and recommend data-driven improvements in construction and design workflows.
• Help establish cost benchmarks by location and market to optimize franchisee financial outcomes over time.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, interior design, or a related design field is essential.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience bridging both design and construction, demonstrating capability in carrying projects from concept through completion.
• Proven track record managing multiple construction projects simultaneously in various markets, with full accountability for budgets and scheduling.
• Experience in hospitality, experiential retail, entertainment, or themed environments is strongly preferred, with an understanding that design supports guest experience beyond mere aesthetics.
• Experience working within franchise or multi-unit brand frameworks is a strong advantage, with knowledge of maintaining brand consistency across replicable designs.
• Competency in design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, or similar, alongside project management platforms.
• A balanced approach that integrates design innovation with operational rigor, ensuring no compromise between quality and execution.
• Effective upward management skills; proactively communicating with leadership and presenting clear decisions.
• Skilled in creating scalable processes by thoroughly documenting best practices for wider team adoption.
• A collaborative mindset paired with confidence in design decisions, open to feedback from others.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, capable of juggling multiple projects without external prioritization.

Significance of the Role

Each visitor forms an impression of the Escapology brand within the first thirty seconds of entering a location, prior to interacting with any games. The design and construction of these spaces embody and communicate our brand promise. This Director position plays a pivotal role in defining that physical identity as Escapology grows toward 2027 and beyond.