Sr. Associate, Retail Design & Experience

Banco Santander•Boston, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports projects through all phases including conceptual planning, programming, engineering, and construction. The position operates within a highly cross-functional, matrixed environment. As a Senior Associate, Retail Design & Experience, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing Santander’s retail experience strategy across the U.S. branch network. You will support the development and delivery of new branch formats and renovation programs, ensuring our physical locations deliver a consistent, customer-centered, and operationally effective experience aligned to Santander’s omni-channel strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design (or equivalent experience)
9+ years of relevant experience in financial services, retail, luxury retail, hospitality, or multi-site commercial design environments
Ability to read and review architectural construction drawings and design documentation
Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail
Strong communication skills (visual, verbal, written) with ability to clearly convey design intent
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook)
Ability to collaborate across local and global teams and influence without direct authority
Demonstrated ownership, urgency, and accountability, with sound judgment on escalation
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without requiring employer sponsorship to commence employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with an in-house design team, financial services firm preferred
Strong background in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator/Photoshop); basic 3D modeling/rendering a plus
Knowledge of finish and furniture vendors and experience supporting multi-site rollout programs
Strong knowledge of building codes and ADA compliance
Experience at the intersection of digital and physical customer experience
Experience within complex global organizations and cross-functional delivery models

Responsibilities

Support end-to-end execution of retail experience and format initiatives across the physical network
Support design development and implementation for new builds and renovations
Maintain visibility into project scope, timelines, risks, decisions, and dependencies
Ensure retail formats and customer journeys are consistently implemented across markets
Support space design, finish standards, furniture selection, and customer experience consistency
Maintain and evolve design standards, playbooks, prototypes, and implementation guidance
Review design packages for alignment to brand, experience standards, and operational requirements
Contribute to continuous improvement of design standards based on pilot learnings and rollout feedback
Coordinate with architecture/design firms, agencies, and contractors to ensure high-quality deliverables
Support vendor meeting cadence, documentation, follow-ups, and decision tracking
Ensure design quality, consistency, and completeness across projects
Partner with Network Planning, Real Estate/Delivery, Construction, Marketing, and Operations
Translate experience strategy into buildable solutions meeting cost, schedule, and implementation needs
Drive alignment and progress across a matrixed organization
Create executive-ready presentations to communicate concepts, progress, and recommendations
Compile and communicate information aligned to governance processes
Conduct research and benchmarking on retail experience trends and digital + physical integration