The International Design Manager is responsible for managing the design and delivery of retail projects across international markets, working closely with franchise partners, regional teams, external architects, and internal cross-functional partners.

The role manages projects across multiple store formats, including flagship stores, shopping center locations, outlets, new stores, relocations, remodels, and partial refurbishments. The International Design Manager is responsible for translating the company's established design concepts and standards into successful, market-relevant store environments.

Working across a diverse portfolio of countries and partners, the role requires a strong understanding of retail design, excellent project management skills, and the ability to balance global brand consistency with the unique commercial, cultural, operational, regulatory, and site-specific requirements of each market.

The International Design Manager will manage multiple projects simultaneously from initial site assessment and schematic design through design development and construction, ensuring projects are delivered to the required design quality, timeline, and budget parameters.

Manage the design development and delivery of multiple international retail projects across a portfolio of markets.

Manage projects across all store formats, including flagship stores, shopping center locations, travel retail. New stores, relocations, remodels, and partial refurbishments.

Develop and manage schematic store designs in-house, translating established design concepts into site-specific solutions.

Take ownership of projects from initial site review and schematic design through design development, construction documentation, and project completion.

Ensure projects progress according to agreed design schedules, budgets, and established store tier parameters.

Proactively identify design, program, or technical risks and work with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions.

Design Development & Brand Implementation

Interpret and apply the company's Design Standards Bible across international projects.

Adapt established concepts thoughtfully to individual sites while maintaining the integrity and key principles of the brand.

Understand when design standards should remain consistent and where flexibility is required to respond to local market, customer, operational, or site needs.

Produce and review store layouts, plans, elevations, design details, material selections, and design development packages.

Ensure the customer journey, merchandising requirements, operational functionality, and commercial needs are considered throughout the design process.

Work closely with the Design Concepts team as brand concepts and standards continue to evolve.

International Partner & Franchise Collaboration

Develop strong working relationships with franchise partners, licensees, regional teams, and international stakeholders.

Act as a key day-to-day design contact for assigned international markets and projects.

Clearly communicate design intent, brand standards, project requirements, and feedback to partners and their appointed design teams.

Guide partners through the design review and approval process, providing clear and constructive direction.

Balance partner and market requirements with the need to protect brand consistency and design quality.

Support the preparation and review of design packages required for landlords, shopping centers, local authorities, and other approval bodies.

External Architect & Consultant Management

Manage and coordinate external architects, local architects of record, engineers, and specialist consultants.

Provide clear design briefs and ensure external teams understand brand standards and project expectations.

Review consultant drawings and submissions for design accuracy, quality, and alignment with approved schematic designs.

Coordinate with local architects to address building codes, accessibility requirements, local regulations, landlord criteria, and construction practices.

Maintain design oversight throughout the project to ensure design intent is carried through into construction.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with Real Estate during site assessment and planning to understand opportunities, constraints, and commercial requirements.

Partner with Construction to ensure designs are practical, buildable, and delivered within project timelines.

Collaborate with Procurement to ensure materials, fixtures, and finishes meet design intent while considering budget, lead times, sourcing, and regional availability.

Work closely with Operations to ensure stores function effectively for both customers and store teams.

Partner with Visual Merchandising to ensure store layouts and environments support merchandising strategies and product presentation.

Budget, Timeline & Commercial Delivery

Maintain strong awareness of project budgets throughout the design process.

Design within established store tier and capital parameters while maintaining the strongest possible customer and brand experience.

• Participate in value engineering exercises where required, identifying solutions that achieve cost efficiencies without unnecessarily compromising design intent.
• Understand the impact of design decisions on construction cost, procurement, program, and operational performance.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, ensuring key design milestones and approvals are achieved on schedule.

Design Presentations & Communication

Prepare and present store designs clearly and confidently to internal leadership, cross-functional teams, and international partners.

Clearly articulate the rationale behind design decisions, demonstrating an understanding of both design principles and commercial objectives.

Communicate complex design issues in a clear, concise, and solutions-oriented manner.

Maintain accurate project documentation, design approvals, and decision records throughout the project lifecycle

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Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or a related discipline.

Approximately 6-8 years' experience in retail architecture, store design, or retail project delivery.

Strong experience managing multiple retail design projects through different stages of development.

International retail or franchise experience is highly desirable.

Experience working with external architects, consultants, landlords, and multidisciplinary project teams.

Strong understanding of retail construction, materials, detailing, documentation, and project delivery.

Experience working within a multi-store or global retail organization is preferred.

Strong proficiency in:

AutoCAD

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Microsoft Office

Working knowledge of Rhino, BIM workflows, and 3D visualization tools is advantageous.