Manager, Store Planning & Design

Guess?, LLC.•Los Angeles, CA

36d•$115,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Manager, Store Planning & Design owns and executes assigned new store, remodel, temporary, pop-up, and other retail development projects from initial planning through final design and construction coordination. This senior individual contributor role is accountable for advancing projects while maintaining brand standards, schedules, budgets, and operational requirements. The manager works with internal Retail Development and cross-functional teams, as well as external architects, design agencies, consultants, millwork vendors, landlords, tenant coordinators, and other project partners. The role applies strong design judgment within established GUESS? design standards and manuals and manages multiple projects through planning, design development, documentation, approvals, construction coordination, and completion. It also supports licensed partners in Central and South America, coordinates project communications and decisions, and identifies practical opportunities to improve workflows and project execution. The Store Development department oversees store design, planning, construction, remodeling, relocation, procurement, visual merchandising, and facilities management. It operates in a fast-paced environment requiring responsiveness, organization, problem-solving, and business acumen.

Requirements

8 or more years of relevant experience in retail store planning, architecture, interior design, retail development, or project management.
Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple retail design and development projects through planning, design, documentation, and construction phases.
Experience collaborating with architects, design agencies, consultants, millwork vendors, contractors, and cross-functional internal teams.
Proficiency in AutoCAD.
Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu, including drawing review, markups, document comparison, and coordination.
Strong project ownership and accountability for schedules, deliverables, and project outcomes.
Strong organizational, project management, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, identify problems, develop solutions, and drive projects toward resolution.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to collaborate with internal departments and external project partners.
Strong design sensibility and ability to execute established brand standards and design manuals.
Ability to work under pressure and remain flexible amid tight schedules, changing priorities, and evolving requirements.
Strong knowledge of retail store planning, space planning, fixtures, millwork, signage, merchandising, and operational requirements.
Ability to read, review, and interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings, technical drawings, and related construction documentation.
Knowledge of project management best practices and retail design and development processes.
Ability to identify process-improvement opportunities and recommend practical solutions while operating within established company processes.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field is preferred.
Experience supporting multiple retail brands and/or international partners.
Knowledge of retail construction methods, materials, sequencing, and coordination.
Experience reviewing millwork fabrication or shop drawings and coordinating comments with manufacturers and project teams.
Experience working with international licensed partners and adapting established brand standards to different markets and site conditions.

Responsibilities

Own assigned North American corporate store projects across GUESS, Marciano, GUESS Jeans, G by GUESS, and Factory, from initial planning through design development, documentation, approvals, construction coordination, and project completion.
Provide store design and planning management for licensed partners throughout Central and South America, coordinating brand standards, design development, documentation, and approvals.
Manage design and planning for pop-up, temporary, and other non-traditional retail environments, balancing accelerated schedules and cost-conscious solutions with operational requirements and brand standards.
Develop, maintain, and actively manage project schedules to achieve critical milestones and deliverables within established timelines.
Drive projects forward by identifying issues, resolving obstacles, coordinating decisions, and escalating matters when appropriate.
Manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities amid tight schedules and changing business requirements.
Coordinate project requirements across Store Planning, Construction, Visual Merchandising, Real Estate, Operations, senior management, and other internal business partners.
Maintain awareness of project budgets and evaluate design and planning decisions in consideration of cost, schedule, operational requirements, and brand objectives.
Develop and/or oversee floor plans, elevations, architectural design drawings, and supporting documentation in accordance with brand and prototype standards.
Apply design judgment and space-planning expertise within established design manuals, architectural, fixture, and graphic standards, merchandising requirements, and operational criteria.
Interpret non-prototypical retail spaces and translate brand standards into functional, merchandisable, and visually compelling store environments.
Review millwork shop drawings and technical drawings for accuracy, design intent, functionality, coordination, constructability, materials, finishes, and brand compliance; coordinate comments, revisions, and approvals.
Review architectural, fixture, graphic, signage, and merchandising documentation for consistency, accuracy, constructability, and brand alignment.
Balance design intent with operational requirements, budgets, schedules, and site-specific conditions.
Maintain and contribute to Architectural, Fixture, Graphic, Merchandising, and CAD standards, documents, and tools.
Serve as the primary Store Planning point of contact for assigned projects and collaborate with internal Retail Development partners and cross-functional departments.
Coordinate with external project stakeholders to communicate requirements, resolve issues, obtain approvals, and maintain project momentum.
Set clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines with project partners and follow through on commitments.
Build productive working relationships while maintaining accountability for project objectives.
Adapt to changing project conditions, priorities, schedules, and business requirements while focusing on critical deliverables.
Work within established Retail Development processes and recommend practical improvements to efficiency, communication, risk management, or project outcomes.