Creative Designer Principal (Hybrid - Seattle, WA)

Nordstrom•Seattle, WA

2d•$92,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Designer serves as a senior-level creative and environmental design expert, acting as a strategic advisor and technical subject-matter expert (SME) across Creative Marketing, VM, NMG, and Brand partners. This role leads complex, large-scale design initiatives, elevates creative strategy, and shapes environmental design standards that influence broader functional goals. The Principal Designer provides expert counsel, drives innovation, and ensures alignment with Nordstrom’s brand and long-term creative direction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, Visual Merchandising, Industrial Design, Architecture, or related field.
7–9+ years of progressively responsible experience in environmental, experiential, retail, or 3D design.
Demonstrated expertise in developing and delivering innovative, large-scale experiential and environmental design concepts.
Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills with the ability to articulate complex creative intent.
Advanced proficiency in Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, CAD applications, and other relevant design software.
Deep knowledge of VM, NDC specifications, materials, and production methodologies for 3D and environmental projects.
Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and complex multi-phase projects.
Strong strategic planning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, iteration, and execution of environmental, experiential, and 360 creative concepts that support merchandising, Brand collaborations, events, scaled experiences, and Creative Marketing projects.
Serve as the functional SME for environmental and 3D design, providing strategic and technical guidance to cross-functional leaders and partners.
Drive high-impact, large-scale projects independently, determining creative direction and ensuring solutions align with business, marketing, and brand objectives.
Influence and refine environmental and experiential design standards to elevate consistency, innovation, and scalability across Creative Marketing and VM.
Present complex concepts confidently to all levels of leadership, clearly articulating creative intent, strategic rationale, and business impact.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and developmental support to junior designers and cross-functional partners, strengthening creative capabilities across the function.
Collaborate deeply with Creative Marketing Leadership, VM NMG, and Brand partners to assess business needs, identify design opportunities, and deliver impactful experience-based solutions.
Develop original design frameworks and new creative approaches using analytical and evaluative thinking to solve complex design and operational challenges.
Produce detailed drawings, renderings, and documentation to support planning, prototyping, and execution of environmental concepts.
Create proposal decks that communicate ideas visually and strategically, enabling partners to understand and align on the creative direction.
Oversee vendor proposals, specifications, production files, and material guidelines to ensure design intent is preserved through fabrication.
Evaluate and approve prototypes, ensuring accuracy, quality, and adherence to timelines and project goals.
Manage project timelines, deliverables, and workflows with autonomy, ensuring successful outcomes across multiple concurrent initiatives.
Guide and oversee external design or production partners as needed, providing expert review and final approvals.