Lead Director, Visual Merchandising--Retail Design and Decor

CVS Health•Woonsocket, RI

About The Position

The Director, Retail Design & Décor defines and executes CVS Health’s enterprise retail design strategy across customer-facing environments. The role ensures a consistent, engaging brand experience aligned with the company’s brand purpose, customer insights, and business objectives. It oversees the development, implementation, and governance of permanent interior retail design standards and elements, including flooring, lighting, wayfinding, signage, millwork, materials, décor, furnishings, and brand standards. The position partners with cross-functional stakeholders on new store openings, remodels, format evolutions, service expansions, and strategic retail initiatives across Pharmacy, Front Store, MinuteClinic, and Specialty Health Services. It leads internal and external design teams, influences executive stakeholders, and develops customer-centric solutions that support the shopping experience, operational excellence, brand consistency, and financial stewardship. The role calls for strategic leadership in retail environments, design innovation, project execution, and large-scale program management.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in retail design, store planning, visual merchandising, architecture, interior design, or related disciplines, including 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and enterprise-level initiatives.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing enterprise retail design strategies and standards for multi-site retail environments.
Experience leading large-scale retail design programs within a national or multi-location retail organization.
Proven success managing cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders to achieve business objectives.
Expertise in one or more listed disciplines: retail design and décor; visual merchandising and display design; interior design and FF&E specification; architectural design and store development; space planning and store layout optimization; construction and retail fixture installation; vendor management and contract negotiations; or capital and expense budget management.
Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities and delivering on schedule and within budget.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop direct reports, consultants, agency partners, and vendor resources.
Experience developing business cases and presenting recommendations, design strategies, and project outcomes to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
Experience managing capital and operating budgets and evaluating project ROI, cost-saving opportunities, and vendor performance.
Proficiency with AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator), and related design applications.
Bachelor’s degree or a combination of years of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

Define and execute enterprise retail design strategy across customer-facing environments.
Develop, implement, and govern permanent interior retail design standards and elements, including flooring, lighting, wayfinding, signage, millwork, materials, décor, furnishings, and brand standards.
Support new store openings, remodels, format evolutions, service expansions, and strategic retail initiatives across Pharmacy, Front Store, MinuteClinic, and Specialty Health Services.
Lead internal and external design teams and influence executive stakeholders.
Drive innovative, customer-centric design solutions that enhance the shopping experience while supporting operational excellence, brand consistency, and financial stewardship.
Lead large-scale retail design programs for new store development, remodels, resets, and prototype evolution.
Manage cross-functional teams and stakeholder relationships across Design, Merchandising, Marketing, Store Operations, Construction, Procurement, Finance, and Real Estate.
Manage concurrent projects, schedules, budgets, capital and operating expenses, project ROI, cost-saving opportunities, and vendor performance.
Coach and develop direct reports, consultants, agency partners, and vendor resources.
Develop business cases and present recommendations, design strategies, and project outcomes to senior and executive leadership.
Use emerging technologies, process improvements, and workflow automation to improve design execution, collaboration, and operational efficiency.