Senior Design Manager

[solidcore]•Arlington, VA

35d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Design Manager (SDM) leads the design execution and delivery of new studios and the refresh of our existing fleet. They oversee the development and implementation of brand standards, and own new design initiatives in partnership with cross functional leaders. The Senior Design Manager acts as a key liaison between internal stakeholders, external consultants, and cross-functional partners to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and brand-elevating retail experiences. This hybrid position will be located at our Corporate Office in Arlington, VA. The expectation for hybrid in-office schedule is three days a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Requirements

Ownership and accountability in delivering results.
Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Innovative thinking with high attention to technical and design detail.
Effective problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
Agility to adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.
Ability to build trust, influence cross-functional partners, and manage external resources.
Commitment to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.
Bachelorâs Degree in architecture or interior design required.
Minimum 6 - 8 years of experience in retail architecture, design management, or store development.
Proven experience in managing multi-site retail rollout programs or brand prototype development.
High proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite
Strong understanding of construction detailing, MEP coordination, building codes, and retail operations.
Skilled in project management tools such as Smartsheet or similar.
Strong design and technical acumen, with the ability to produce and critique drawings and 3D visualizations.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines across multiple concurrent projects.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and manage external design partners.

Nice To Haves

Licensure in Architecture or NCIDQ certification preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Produce test fit layouts for prospective studios in accordance with brand identity, space standards, local codes, lease constraints, and operational needs.
Develop signage and branding solutions, including the production of rendered elevations, renderings and other presentation materials to express creative concepts.
Own relationships with key vendors to ensure quality execution of brand standards as well as lead innovations of new design concepts
Oversee the full design and documentation lifecycle from Real Estate Committee approval through studio opening, in alignment with brand design intent and operational requirements.
Review and qualify MEP documents for alignment with project and design requirements.
Negotiate directly with landlords and developers on design-related issues, signage, and storefront approvals as needed.
Partner with Operations and Field Team Leaders to execute refresh of existing studio fleet.
Serve as the subject matter expert for brand design standards, communicating updates, and maintaining design standards.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the development team.
Support leadership on strategic design initiatives, fixture innovation, material exploration, and prototype development.