Head of Architecture

The Head of Architecture leads planning and architectural strategy for Luxury & Lifestyle hotels across the assigned regions, guiding a team of architects and partnering across Development, Brand, Operations, Construction, Asset Management, Ownership, and external design partners. The role shapes projects from early planning through completion, aligning brand ambition, guest experience, owner priorities, design quality, and commercial objectives to strengthen portfolio performance and long-term value.

Your Day-to-Day

Regional Portfolio Leadership

• Lead regional architecture and planning strategy across Luxury & Lifestyle development, conversion, renovation, and repositioning projects.
• Set market-relevant architectural direction for brand development, facilities, and master planning.
• Guide complex projects from early planning through completion, balancing brand integrity, guest experience, owner returns, and long-term portfolio value.

Design Strategy & Brand Stewardship

• Set the architectural vision for Luxury & Lifestyle brands across the region, aligned with brand standards and guest experience.
• Evolve design solutions for new markets and development typologies while maintaining brand relevance.
• Protect design intent while balancing operational, technical, and commercial requirements.

Owner & Stakeholder Leadership

• Serve as the senior partner to owners, investors, developers, and business leaders, aligning stakeholders around design direction, project requirements, and Luxury & Lifestyle standards.
• Lead and develop the architecture team, fostering collaboration, design excellence, and strong cross-functional partnership.
• Influence owner and operational decisions through clear, confident communication of design intent, architectural requirements, and business priorities.
• Build alignment across key internal and external partners to enable timely decision-making and effective project delivery.
• Manage external consultants and resources to meet workload, specialist expertise, and project needs.
• Advance enterprise learning and cross-pollination by sharing architectural insights, best practices, and lessons learned across brands, regions, and disciplines.

Project Governance & Decision-Making

• Provide regional oversight of portfolio priorities, risks, and key decisions, escalating critical issues as needed.
• Drive timely resolution of project challenges, balancing brand and design ambition with local codes, operational needs, constructability, and commercial realities.
• Establish clear frameworks for consistent, disciplined decision-making across the regional portfolio.

Financial & Resource Management

• Own the departmental operating budget and team expenses, ensuring disciplined financial management.
• Manage consultant spend and deploy internal and external resources in line with portfolio priorities, workload, and business needs.

What We Need from You

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in hospitality, retail, or mixed-use design, construction, and project delivery.
• Knowledge of operations, construction principles, and applicable codes and regulations.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams, external consultants, and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional executive communication, presentation, influence, and organizational skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in current design and business software and applications.
• Collaborative, forward-thinking leadership style with the confidence and judgment to guide complex projects and make difficult recommendations.

Location

Atlanta, Georgia. The hybrid work structure expects three days per week in the office.

This expectation may be adjusted as the needs of the business evolve.

At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?

Who we are

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You’ll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. With a host of corporate opportunities to choose from, wherever you are on your career journey, and whatever you want to achieve there’s Room for You at IHG.

Over recent years, we’ve transformed our company. We have bold ambitions to drive performance and maintain our relentless focus on growth in order to be the hotel company of choice that guests & owners love.

We are a hospitality business at our core and value connections and being together helps us foster a unique sense of belonging that also supports productivity. That’s why here at IHG, we give our colleagues flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending office and remote working collectively. We recognise that every role is different, that’s why leaders work with teams to determine how and when they collaborate.

We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.