JOB SUMMARY
The Manager of Design & Product Development leads a team of creative professionals and consultants to shape the future of Choice Hotels’ brand environments through innovative design and product development. This role combines design excellence, strategic leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver compelling, brand-aligned solutions that enhance guest experience and drive franchisee ROI. The Manager oversees FF&E design packages, vendor programs, and prototype development while championing continuous improvement and innovation across the Choice portfolio.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Design & Product Development
Lead design and FF&E product development for new and existing brand packages, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and operational feasibility.
Oversee concept generation, prototype development, and creation of design guides, toolkits, and standards.
Manage vendor qualification and approval processes, optimizing timelines and quality through data-driven dashboards.
Direct consultants and internal teams to deliver high-quality, on-brand design outcomes within budget and schedule.
Research & Innovation
Monitor hospitality, design, and cultural trends to inform brand evolution and maintain market competitiveness.
Translate consumer insights and operational needs into design frameworks and innovation roadmaps.
Drive continuous improvement through evaluation of adoption trends, product performance, and stakeholder feedback.
Maintain material libraries and design labs to support experimentation and prototype development.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence
Lead and develop a broader team, fostering creativity, accountability, and collaboration.
Partner with Brand, Development, Procurement, and Lifecycle teams to ensure design initiatives support enterprise goals.
Communicate updates to brand standards and design programs across the organization.
Support major initiatives, including annual convention and enterprise-wide design programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Minimum 7+ years of relevant experience in hospitality design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating strategic and creative leadership.
At least 2 years of experience managing teams and external consultants in a design-driven environment.
Technical Skills
Proficiency in Smartsheet, Microsoft Office Suite; Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling tools (SketchUp, AutoCAD) preferred.
Strong visualization and hand-sketching abilities.
Core Competencies
Expertise in architecture, interior design, and FF&E specifications.
Strategic thinker with ability to balance creativity, business goals, and operational feasibility.
Skilled in developing scalable design systems and cost models.
Leadership Expectations
Demonstrates ability to lead a broader team, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and drive enterprise-level initiatives.
Builds trust, fosters creativity, and maintains high standards under pressure.
Strong communication and storytelling skills to engage senior leadership.
Additional Information
Ability to travel up to 10%.
Must uphold Choice Hotels’ Values & Performance Principles: collaboration, integrity, inclusion, customer focus, and respect.
YOUR WORK LOCATION
Candidates must reside in the Washington, D.C. metro area and commit to a hybrid work schedule consisting of four days per week onsite at our Pike & Rose headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland, and one day working remotely from their home office.
SALARY RANGE
The salary range for this position is $107,533 - $126,500 annually. In addition to the annual salary, this role is eligible for an annual bonus based on the terms of Choice's Management Incentive Plan (MIP).
Pay ranges listed are for this position and are what Choice Hotels reasonably expects to pay. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is not eligible for sponsorship.
Choice prioritizes our associate wellbeing by offering a comprehensive benefits program that is both competitive and flexible to help you achieve your wellbeing goals - here are just a few:
About Choice
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. With 7,500 hotels in 45+ countries and territories, we offer a range of high-quality lodging options in the upper upscale, upper midscale, midscale, extended stay, and economy segments. We’re the hotel company for those who choose to bet on themselves — the striver, the dreamer, the entrepreneur — because that’s who we are, too.
At Choice, we are united by the simple belief that tomorrow will be even better than today — for associates, our company, and our franchisees. At our worldwide corporate headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland, at our technology center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and through our associates around the globe, every voice is heard and every idea is listened to, no matter what area of the company they come from. We are united in supporting the entrepreneurial dreams of our thousands of franchise owners, which propels us forward — giving our work at Choice a purpose larger than our business.
Our corporate office locations:
North Bethesda, MD — Located at Pike & Rose, our worldwide headquarters is less than 15 miles from Washington, D.C., one block away from the North Bethesda Metro station, with easy access to I-495, complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants and retail.
Scottsdale, AZ — Located at the northwest corner of Loop 101, the Scottsdale office is home to our technology, eCommerce and customer service organizations, with easy access to complimentary parking, electronic charging stations, restaurants and retail.
Minneapolis, MN — Select roles are based in our Minneapolis office on Highway 394, near the intersection with Highway 100, only five minutes from downtown.
Field/Remote — Select roles designated as field/remote will require associates to work from a home office, connecting virtually with Choice team members and leadership on Zoom, with possible required travel depending on the role.
Choice’s Cultural Values
Welcome and Respect Everyone | Be Bold | Be Quick | Listen | Be Curious | Show Integrity
Choice’s Leadership Principles
Act with Intention | Lead with Authenticity | Grow & Deliver