Senior Design Manager

To drive and deliver world class environments in all Selfridges’ stores through innovative strategic planning and highly professional design management, creating outstanding and innovative environments and experiences. To manage internal communication both internally, and with external consultants while keeping key stakeholders up to date. The Senior Design Manager will be a role model and ambassador for living the Selfridges values which will help in the management and development of their team. The Senior Design Manager will lead and drive change to continue to evolve Selfridges unique retail environments.

Scope: To support the Property Design Director, the Selfridges Executive team and the business in general in all Strategic Planning and Design related matters to deliver best in class solutions for all stores by:

• Informing, developing and implementing the Strategic Masterplans and the associated Design Guidelines.
• Ensuring the effective Design Management of all projects through the entire design, development and delivery process.
• Managing project requests from B&M taking them through feasibility studies where appropriate.
• Overseeing the development and maintenance of digital drawing data for all Selfridges’ sites.
• Effectively managing the internal and external design teams.
• Overseeing and being responsible for the design delivery of categories dependent on scale, and managing team workflow and allocation.
• Managing and leading the Design Managers and Coordinators, through motivating, inspiring and mentoring the team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Design Planning Work with the Lead Design Manager and Design Planning teams to aid in developing and delivering strategic retail Masterplan briefs and feasibilities for all stores. Lead presentations up to Exec level to drive decision making and support in unlocking change for future projects. Produce planning and delivery sequence and timeline. Assist in producing high level budget cost to support capital planning. Monitor competitors, and carry out industry research. Manage collation and production of strategic design guidelines, compartment design guidelines, project specific design guidelines and creation of temporary guidelines for refresh projects ensuring alignment throughout. Manage projects up to complex flagship brands with full strip out and build. Manage relevant design team members, with strong leadership and ownership skills.
• Design Management Lead for a number of high profile category projects, managing directly key category projects, with allocated projects delegated to design team. Run and lead a Masterplan scale project with full project team, and multiple business stakeholders. Coordinate production of retail briefs for all projects and ensure alignment with proposed plans. Lead brand design briefings as required, chaired by Project Manager. Manage the approval of brand shopfit projects through concept and detailed design stages, including managing business feedback and approval, presentation of proposals to the Board for approval, and ensuring projects adhere to Selfridges’ Masterplan and Store Guidelines. Ensure timely and sufficient design information is passed to Project Managers for the delivery phase. Work closely with the project management team to ensure design integrity is maintained at each stage of the design and delivery process. Participate in post-project reviews and design analysis. Manage creative consultants to ensure design solutions are developed in line with agreed cost parameters and project programmes. Ensure designs meet or exceed defined quality standards and compliance with requirements of legislation and/or external authorities. Ensure internal design approvals and financial sanctions are obtained at appropriate stages. Encourage design innovation and creativity.
• Project Requests and Feasibility First point of contact for B&M on all new project requests. Carry out design feasibility studies with support from the delivery team (when appropriate). Manage the planning and feasibility process for upcoming strategic projects, taking them to business approval, producing planning layouts, budget cost and draft timeline (with support from the delivery team). Support shortlisting of architects for strategic projects (with Head/Lead Design, creative team) and provide supporting information for the briefing.
• Leadership & Management Ability to lead design direction to drive and influence decision making. Work with the Lead Design Manager and Head of Design to manage, develop and coordinate the internal design team and their day to day workload. Monitor the performance and progress of the design team. Create and effectively lead internal and external consultant teams. Manage change and potential conflict. Establish a communication plan for the design stage of projects. Demonstrate ability to manage and lead multiple stakeholders across a range of business functions. Encourage and promote an understanding of the Selfridges brand values amongst external consultants. Demonstrate senior leadership behaviours within the design team, and across the business.

A bit about you Strategic design vision and planning. Strong and flexible design skillset with excellent project planning. Expert understanding of the retail and design landscape. Innovative, forward thinking, but with highly commercial approach – able to develop and implement new ideas in cost effective ways. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Excellent leadership, interpersonal and relationship skills. Coaching style of management and the ability to motivate others. Strong negotiator and influencer. Resilience and ability to work under pressure on many diverse projects. In depth knowledge of CAD and other design related packages.

Key Behaviours: Experienced designer with passion for retail and innovation. Self-motivated leader. Ability to inspire and manage a team. Ability to manage and solve complex challenges.