Store Design Project Manager in London

The Store Design Project Manager is responsible for the development of all store and wholesale personalization across EMEA, working closely with the worldwide store design team and other departments, consultants, and contractors in the renovation of existing or development of new stores from project initiation to opening. Responsibilities also include coordinating store layout improvement rollouts consisting of store configurations and/or upgrades of existing stores. For each project, they will oversee project budgets, schedules, and project design. They will liaise with other departments (Operations, Retail, Visual, etc.) and consulting teams to ensure the program requirements are incorporated into the project, critical timelines and project information are communicated. They will oversee the construction and completion of each location to ensure standards of quality are met in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed project plans for new store openings, including timelines, critical deadlines, and resource allocation;
• Work closely with the Global Store design team in the design development of new store locations to ensure the brand aesthetic is reflected;
• Manage the Visual Merchandising Assistant, ensuring VM standards are delivered across all locations;
• Lead cross-functional teams, coordinating efforts between Design, local PM and local EMEA teams. Ensure clear communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders;
• Develop and maintain relationships with tenant coordinators and department managers in all applicable forms and locations;
• Coordinate transition of design documents into documents for bid/landlord review/permit with architect of record;
• Review all architectural documents and drawings with Store Planning & Facilities;
• Coordinate requirements for security, telephone, and data with departments;
• Obtain approvals from landlord for preliminary and working drawing reviews;
• Create requests for bids as applicable for GC scope and assist the global director of procurement in the RFP process;
• Develop requests for owner vendor items, such as millwork, speciality lighting, etc. and assist the global director of procurement in the RFP process;
• Review bid proposals and coordinate cost and schedules with vendors and contractors, as well as maintain schedules;
• Act as point of reference for external vendors and contractors for store construction, fit-out, setup, invoicing and follow up;
• Develop and maintain cost summary of each project through project completion, including review and approval of invoices, coordinating the information with the cost controller;
• Make periodic site visits before and/or during construction of store to ensure standards and design are met;
• Attend weekly site meetings (on site or phone) throughout project to ensure schedule and design standard are met;
• Coordinate with GC and local department of buildings for all required certificates and inspections;
• Coordinate with the wholesale/retail team on product assortment, layout and visual merchandising strategies. Ensure the store opening inventory aligns with the brand standards and market demands;
• Develop punch list and verify all items are corrected in timely manner;
• Request and obtain letters of lien waivers and comply with landlord’s close out procedure;
• Develop and issue Maintenance Manual for Store Manager;
• Gather feedback from store openings to identify areas for improvement for future projects;
• Assist the director of global store design and cost controller in multi project budgeting for departmental capex forecasting and budgeting for departmental master schedule forecasting.

Key Requirements

• 5 + years’ experience;
• Luxury retail experience required;
• University degree, BA, MA in Architecture or Interior Design preferred;
• Must have a good working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint and AutoCAD;
• Must have good budgeting and general maths skills;
• Able to meet tight deadlines;
• Good understanding of design drawings and project documentation;
• Attention to detail;
• Knowledge of standard quality means and materials in construction and millwork;
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent organisational and focusing abilities a must;
• Frequent travel required.

Key Behaviours

• Must be adaptable, resourceful and a creative thinker;
• Builds trust-based relationships across boundaries and encourages collaboration;
• Driven by the sense of urgency, promotes change and takes smart risks in pursuit of goals;
• Understand the impact of their choices on the other teams.