Manager - Retail Design Pre Development

American Eagle Outfitters•Pittsburgh, PA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Retail Design - Pre Development evaluates the viability of potential retail locations proposed by the Real Estate team. In this role, you will lead the creation of architectural feasibility studies, signage and storefront explorations and space plans to determine site suitability for the Aerie and Offline by Aerie brands. As a key cross-functional collaborator, you will leverage your professional judgment to navigate ambiguity, understand the unique nuances of complex spaces, and apply creative problem-solving to address challenging site conditions before project approval.

Requirements

at least 5 years of experience in Retail Design, Store Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or equivalent experience preferred.
High proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3D rendering programs.
Strong understanding of architectural drawing details, construction means and methods, and general building/ADA codes.
Exceptional analytical and creative problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent verbal, written, and visual presentation skills, with a highly collaborative and self-motivated mindset.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Procore, Adobe Creative Suite, Monday.com is a plus.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary design liaison between Real Estate, Construction, Visual Merchandising, Store Operations, and external Landlords during the pre-development phase.
Evaluate proposed real estate opportunities, using your judgment to analyze as-builts, existing conditions, Google Earth data, local signage codes, and mall tenant criteria. Identify potential life-safety, ADA, building code, or structural challenges that could impact budget, schedule, or design integrity.
Adapt current prototype designs to atypical spaces, understanding the architectural nuances of each property to develop innovative layout solutions that meet merchandising requirements while maintaining brand standards.
Partner with Real Estate deal-makers to present brand standards and design concepts to landlords. Prepare clear presentation materials, test-fits, and renderings for internal design reviews and monthly Real Estate Committee meetings.
Work directly with signage vendors to build code-compliant packages for committee meetings. Coordinate side-by-side branded layouts with the American Eagle retail design team.
Partner with Project Designers to ensure a seamless transition from the approved feasibility phase into schematic design.