Sr Manager, Store Design

The Walt Disney Company • Kissimmee, FL

6d • $132,600 - $177,700 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Store Design is a knowledgeable specialist and strategic leader responsible for the end-to-end design and delivery of retail environments across Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, and Disney Signature Experiences, ensuring every space reflects Disney's storytelling, brand standards, and guest-centric excellence in our theme parks, resorts, cruise, vacation, travel, and retail destinations.

Requirements

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in retail design, store planning, or related architectural design roles including branded architecture or experiential design, with a major retail company or top design agency.
• 3+ years of management experience leading professional design teams.
• Strong proficiency in reading and interpreting architectural and engineering documents, shop drawings, and specifications.
• Deep knowledge of building codes, retail design standards, and construction processes for store environments.
• Ability to communicate design concepts visually and verbally to leadership and cross-functional partners, including executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple fast-paced projects with strict adherence to budget, schedule, and quality requirements.
• Demonstrated success working within cross-functional teams and influencing without authority in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Project).
• Proficiency in 3D rendering and visualization tools and familiarity with CAD-based workflows.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills; results-oriented, self-motivated, and able to operate independently while escalating appropriately.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in leadership roles within multi-unit or experiential retail environments such as theme parks, resorts, cruise, or destination retail.
• Expert skills in 3D modeling, CAD, and rendering tools (e.g., SketchUp, Rhino, 3DS, Enscape, VRay) and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite for environmental and retail graphics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day store design activities from concept through project completion, ensuring alignment with business goals, brand standards, and operational needs.
• Oversee the creation of design concepts, store layouts, finish selections, fixture design, and visual storytelling elements that bring Disney stories to life in retail environments.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the Store Design & Development team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and an inclusive, team-oriented culture.
• Review, interpret, and provide direction on architectural drawings, engineering documents, and vendor shop drawings to ensure accuracy, adherence to design intent, and compliance with codes and standards.
• Drive project management excellence by managing multiple concurrent projects, ensuring deliverables meet established timelines, budgets, and quality expectations in fast-paced environments.
• Monitor and manage all design milestones and deliverables, proactively identifying risks and implementing solutions to maintain project momentum and schedule integrity.
• Resolve design issues quickly during construction and build-out phases, partnering with internal and external teams to protect design intent and guest experience.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to align design direction, communicate changes, and ensure seamless coordination across partners and stakeholders.
• Represent Store Design as the subject matter expert in internal and external forums, providing guidance, recommendations, and design leadership while influencing without direct authority.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with partners across Operations, Merchandining, Facilities, Architecture & Engineering, and external vendors to support shared objectives and guest-focused outcomes.
• Contribute to departmental innovation by supporting pilot programs, process improvements, and new design initiatives that enhance creative, consumer, and operational performance.
• Ensure all projects reflect Disney's commitment to quality, storytelling, and exceptional guest experience across theme parks, resorts, cruise, and retail locations.
• Define strategies, expectations, and priorities that connect team responsibilities to company-wide goals, empowering teams to pursue solutions for both immediate and future challenges.

Benefits

• health and savings benefits
• educational opportunities
• special extras that only Disney can provide
• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager