Head of Design at PureGym US – New York, New York

About PureGym Group

The PureGym Group is a leading gym operator headquartered in the UK, boasting 700 locations and more than 2 million members worldwide. We're thrilled to announce our expansion into the United States! Our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable gyms for everyone, everywhere, remains unwavering.

Our mission to inspire healthier nations has made us the UK's favorite gym, and now, an international success story. With our unique "Everybody Welcome" approach, we create a friendly, warm, and inclusive environment for all our employees and members. We offer:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• EAP
• Legal and Identity Theft Protection
• 401K Retirement Plan

The Role

Office Location: New York – Hybrid (1-2 days in the office)
Type: Full Time
Contract type: Permanent

Salary $100k - $120k + Bonus

This is a rare opportunity to influence design at scale. Based in New York, the Head of Design will play a critical role in PureGym’s US growth story, shaping how millions of members experience our brand every day. You’ll lead and inspire external design and signage partners to deliver high-quality new gyms and refurbishments that balance commercial performance, operational excellence and standout member experience — all while driving continuous improvement and innovation across our evolving formats.

Key responsibilities include:

• To provide oversight and quality assurance of multiple external design and signage partners, through identifying, on-boarding, coaching, and performance managing these partners to deliver the following activities:
  • Maximize the visibility of each gym through the design of external signage and other awareness opportunities and achieving the necessary planning approvals.
  • Develop gym equipment layouts that meet all our key principles to ensure our members can perform all their exercise requirements in a safe and comfortable environment.
  • Create internal elevations that meet brand principles, through applying the signage guidelines and brand color schemes.
  • Develop bespoke solutions to non-standard situations, applying our brand DNA to specific situations.
  • Apply our lighting solutions to the different gym environments within our estate, balance the need for light with our focus on reducing energy use.
  • Provide input into the architectural design of each gym to optimize the member experience through consideration of sight lines, privacy considerations and overall ambience of the gym.
  • Co-ordinate all elements of the above points, to deliver a coherent, member-focused journey and experience that provides an environment where ‘Feel PureGym Good’ is realized.
  • Ensure all elements of the design are delivered in line with critical milestones to support delivery of the property pipeline, and all major design phases pass the necessary approval stages.
  • Strive to get every design ‘right first time’ to reduce rework and unnecessary costs.
• Manage each project through the required quality stage gates, using feedback to drive continuous improvement in external partner performance.
• Maintain cost control of external architectural partners and identify opportunities to reduce the cost of delivering required services.
• Play a leading role in the continuous development of our US formats, through identifying areas for improvement for our members and gym teams and provide recommendations and innovations to continually move our brand forward.
• Positively represent the Group Property Development function internally, be an ambassador for PureGym externally.

The Person

• A highly experienced design team leader, capable of operating at a senior level and able to turn strategy into actions, successfully resolve difficult situations, and make critical decisions under pressure.
• Has experience of leading external partners to deliver 100-150 multi-site projects per year, with a track record of recruiting, developing and motivating high performing teams.
• Degree level education and can demonstrate a track record of continual professional and personal development.
• Experience of large-scale leisure, retail, hospitality, or rapidly growing organizations.
• Experience of auto-CAD and ideally other design focused applications essential
• Has experience of building relationships and performance managing 3rd party contractors and advisers to deliver required results.
• Has the ability to think ‘outside of the box’ to solve problems and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality.
• Process orientated, with ability to identify and remove waste through applying lean thinking.
• Proactive, accountable, hands on, adaptable and able to react quickly to a fast moving, ever-changing environment.
• Excellent communicator, with the ability to simply convey complex messages and influence at a senior level.
• Able to work cross-functionally, to bring together all parts of the business to deliver the right outcome for members and PureGym. Specifically working with Format Development, Equipment, Brand & Marketing, New Openings, and broader Development teams.
• Is member focused, always striving to improve the experience for all members through own area or working across the business.
• Commercially astute, able to evaluate investment decisions considering member and brand expectations balanced with the required levels of return.
• Can positively represent PureGym and the Group Property Development function when interacting with external peer groups and other stakeholders.
• Ideally has a passion for, or an interest in, fitness and leisure.
• Able to travel across the US and internationally.

A PureGym is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our company mantra is ‘Everybody Welcome’ and we are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive place to work. From a hiring standpoint, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring that our PureGym colleagues reflect the diversity of the nation as well as our millions of gym members we serve.

Join us on our mission is to bring high quality, affordable fitness to everyone, everywhere.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the advert may be withdrawn at any time. Early application is encouraged.

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