Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Manager, Store Planning & Design
POSITION PURPOSE:
The Manager, Store Planning & Design is responsible for the ownership and successful execution of assigned new store, remodel, temporary, pop-up, and other retail development projects from initial planning through final design and construction coordination.
This position serves as a key project owner within Retail Development and is accountable for driving projects forward while maintaining established brand standards, schedules, budgets, and operational requirements.
This role is a senior individual contributor position requiring a high degree of initiative, accountability, collaboration, flexibility, and independent project management. The Manager, Store Planning & Design works closely with internal Retail Development partners and cross-functional teams, as well as external architects, design agencies, consultants, millwork vendors, landlords, tenant coordinators, and other project partners.
The position brings a strong design sensibility while executing within established GUESS? design standards and manuals. The role works effectively within established processes while proactively identifying opportunities to improve workflows, communication, efficiency, and project execution.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Project Ownership & Execution | 40%
• Own assigned North American corporate store projects across the GUESS? portfolio of brands, including GUESS, Marciano, GUESS Jeans, G by GUESS, and Factory, from initial planning through design development, documentation, approvals, construction coordination, and project completion.
• Provide store design and planning management for licensed partners throughout Central and South America, coordinating brand standards, design development, documentation, and approvals with internal teams and external partners.
• Manage the design and planning of pop-up, temporary, and other non-traditional retail environments, balancing accelerated schedules and cost-conscious solutions with operational requirements and established brand standards.
• Develop, maintain, and actively manage project schedules to ensure critical milestones and deliverables are achieved within established timelines.
• Take accountability for moving projects forward, proactively identifying issues, resolving obstacles, coordinating decisions, and escalating matters when appropriate.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment with tight schedules and changing business requirements.
• Coordinate project requirements across Store Planning, Construction, Visual Merchandising, Real Estate, Operations, senior management, and other internal business partners as required.
• Maintain awareness of project budgets and evaluate design and planning decisions in consideration of cost, schedule, operational requirements, and brand objectives.
2. Design & Store Planning | 35%
• Develop and/or oversee floor plans, elevations, architectural design drawings, and supporting documentation to ensure established brand and prototype standards are appropriately executed.
• Apply strong design judgment and space-planning expertise while working within established GUESS? design manuals, architectural standards, fixture standards, graphic standards, merchandising requirements, and operational criteria.
• Interpret non-prototypical retail spaces and translate established brand standards into functional, merchandisable, and visually compelling store environments.
• Review millwork shop drawings and technical drawings for dimensional accuracy, design intent, functionality, coordination, constructability, material and finish requirements, and compliance with established brand standards. Coordinate comments, revisions, and approvals with millwork vendors, architects, Construction Project Managers, and other project partners.
• Review architectural, fixture, graphic, signage, and merchandising documentation for consistency, accuracy, constructability, and alignment with established brand standards.
• Balance design intent with operational requirements, project budgets, schedules, and site-specific conditions.
• Maintain and contribute to Architectural, Fixture, Graphic, Merchandising, and CAD standards, documents, and tools.
3. Collaboration & Project Coordination | 25%
• Serve as the primary Store Planning point of contact for assigned projects and collaborate closely with internal Retail Development partners, including internal Construction Project Managers and Visual Merchandising, as well as cross-functional partners including IT, Loss Prevention, Real Estate, Operations, and other departments as required.
• Coordinate effectively with external Construction Project Managers, architects, design agencies, consultants, landlords, tenant coordinators, contractors, millwork manufacturers, signage fabricators, audio/AV engineers and consultants, licensed partners, and other external project stakeholders to communicate requirements, resolve issues, obtain approvals, and maintain project momentum.
• Establish clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines with internal and external project partners and follow through to ensure commitments are met.
• Build productive working relationships across disciplines and organizations while maintaining accountability for project objectives.
• Adapt quickly to changing project conditions, priorities, schedules, and business requirements while maintaining focus on critical deliverables.
• Work within established Retail Development processes and procedures while identifying and recommending practical improvements that can increase efficiency, improve communication, reduce risk, or improve project outcomes.
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field preferred.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 8+ years of relevant experience in retail store planning, architecture, interior design, retail development, or project management.
Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple retail design and development projects through various phases of planning, design, documentation, and construction.
Experience working collaboratively with architects, design agencies, consultants, millwork vendors, contractors, and cross-functional internal teams.
Experience supporting multiple retail brands and/or international partners is preferred.
Required Knowledge & Skills
• Proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu, including drawing review, markups, document comparison, and coordination.
• Strong project ownership with demonstrated accountability for schedules, deliverables, and project outcomes.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, identify problems, develop solutions, and drive projects toward resolution.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across internal departments and with external project partners.
• Strong design sensibility combined with the ability and discipline to execute established brand standards and design manuals.
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure and remain flexible in an environment characterized by tight schedules, changing priorities, and evolving project requirements.
• Strong knowledge of retail store planning, space planning, fixtures, millwork, signage, merchandising, and operational requirements.
• Ability to read, review, and interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings, technical drawings, and related construction documentation.
• Knowledge of project management best practices and retail design/development processes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify process-improvement opportunities and recommend practical solutions while effectively operating within established company processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Preferred Knowledge & Experience
• Knowledge of retail construction methods, materials, sequencing, and coordination.
• Experience reviewing millwork fabrication/shop drawings and coordinating comments with manufacturers and project teams.
• Experience working with international licensed partners and adapting established brand standards to different markets and site conditions.
About the Department:
The GUESS?, LLC Store Development department is seeking a dedicated and organized individual to join their team. This department not only oversees store design, planning, construction, remodeling, relocation, procurement, and visual merchandising, but also handles facilities management to ensure stores operate smoothly. The dynamic nature of this team involves constant responsiveness and fast-paced decision-making, impacting store pricing negotiations and overall maintenance. Store Development is best for individuals skilled in organization, problem-solving, and business acumen, thus offering opportunities to contribute significantly within a supportive environment that values dedication, resourcefulness, and creativity.
