Manager, Store Planning & Design

Manager, Store Planning & Design

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 fun