Director of Retail Design

Job Title: Director of Retail Design

Location: Manhattan, NY

Work Model: Onsite

Compensation: $85/hr on W2 + Benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401K)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant Vice President Store Design - Concepts is responsible for driving the creative vision and conceptual evolution of the company's retail environment across the 3 brands. This role serves as the custodian of each brand's design language, ensuring consistency, innovation, and excellence across all customer touchpoints.

The AVP will lead the development and governance of the Design Standards Bible, translating brand strategy into scalable retail design guidelines while continuously evolving the customer experience. The role also leads the conceptual design of flagship stores, temporary retail formats, and strategic retail initiatives, working closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver commercially impactful and aesthetically compelling spaces.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Brand Concept Development

• • Lead the conceptual evolution of retail design across the 3 brands, ensuring each maintains a distinctive yet commercially relevant identity.
• • Develop innovative retail concepts that align with evolving customer expectations, brand positioning, and business strategy.
• • Research global retail, hospitality, architecture, and lifestyle trends to continually elevate the design direction.
• • Working closely with the procurement team on sourcing materials and delivery of concepts within the budget category

Design Standards & Governance

• • Own, develop, and continuously update the Design Standards Bible for all 3 brands.
• • Establish design principles, material palettes, fixture standards, spatial planning guidelines, lighting standards, graphics integration, and customer experience touchpoints.
• • Ensure design consistency across all retail formats and markets through robust governance and review processes.

Concept Design Leadership

• • Lead the localized element of flagship stores from initial vision through design development.
• • Develop innovative concepts for temporary stores and pop-ups
• • Collaborate with Roll out SD team, real estate, procurement, project delivery, construction, VM, marketing, and brand teams to ensure concept integrity throughout execution.

Team Leadership

• • Lead and mentor a Designer and 3D Visualizer, fostering creativity, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• • Review and guide design outputs including layouts, mood boards, presentations, renderings, and concept packages.
• • Build a high-performing creative team that delivers best-in-class retail environments.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• • Partner closely with Real Estate and Construction, VM, Operations and external consultants.
• • Present design concepts and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• • Manage external architects, consultants, and creative agencies where required.

Innovation & Best Practice

• • Champion innovation in retail architecture, materials, sustainability, customer journey, and experiential design.
• • Benchmark against leading international retailers and luxury brands to ensure concepts remain contemporary and competitive.
• • Identify opportunities to improve design processes, standards, and efficiencies.

WHAT’S NEEDED

• • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture (required).
• • Registered Architect preferred.
• • Minimum 10-15 years' experience in architecture, retail design, or store concept development.
• • Proven experience developing retail concepts for premium or multi-brand retail environments.
• • Strong portfolio demonstrating flagship retail projects, concept design, and brand evolution.
• • Experience developing and maintaining retail design standards and brand guidelines.
• • Proficiency in AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Revit, SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience reviewing or directing high-quality 3D visualization is preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

· Medical, dental, and vision insurance

· 401(k)

· Other standard benefits as applicable

ABOUT UNICON

UNICON is a workforce solutions provider with over 35 years of experience supporting organizations across a variety of industries. We partner with our clients to deliver skilled professionals while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, and long-term relationships. UNICON is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Thanks and regards,

Sincerely,

Riken Barot

Lead Technical Recruiter

241 Outerbelt Street, Columbus, OH - 43213

Cell – (614) 818 5933