Director, Store Planning & Design

Location: United Kingdom

State/Province/City: London

City: London

Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)



Description & Requirements

Who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

About this team

Store Planning + Design is responsible for the architectural layout planning and store design of all EMEA stores for lululemon, delivering on the company's strategic growth plans through highly efficient operating standards and the focus of sweat, grow, connect as manifested through the execution of the brand's pinnacle expression: the physical retail store. Through clarity, accuracy and efficiency we support the business ambitions and enhance guest experience while delivering consistent design queues to reinforce a strong experiential brand identity.

Job Summary

Leads store design and planning for all new store openings and renovation projects in EMEA

Problem solve based on realities of each specific project and location, lead a portfolio of architecture firms, and be the design expert to ensure that stores are opening on time, on budget, and with a high level of brand enhancement and experience.

Leads the physical design and experience across the entire EMEA region, looking at both owned and franchise markets & working with the complexity of 20 different markets.

Oversee creative design solutions per project for all EMEA stores across all classifications, ensuring project design deliverables are delivered on time and on budget to current global design standards

Manages relationships with Franchise partners to ensure all stores in franchise markets are globally consistent whilst being locally relevant

Provides ongoing leadership + development of Store Design team

Applies senior level management skills to improve efficiency, resolve problems, and accomplish objectives within department

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Provides design and creative direction and ongoing support to Store Design team through thorough knowledge of retail design and space planning, constructability, integration of engineering disciplines, and building costs and codes. Approving all project layouts and Schematic Design packages prior to Sr Director approval

Monitors project development, oversees team to ensure projects are delivered on time and budget with the highest level of design and execution, and are fully compliant with global brand and design standards as well as local code requirements

Accountable for providing ongoing 1:1 leadership development for direct reports, ongoing supervision and coaching, setting direction and employing resources, adapting plans and priorities to meet operational challenges, to ensure the team is functioning efficiently and effectively

Provides Real Estate partners with pre-kick off portfolio strategy and feasibility support, validating site constraints, attending market tours where applicable, providing expertise where necessary to inform business decisions

Ensures the team captures and implements localized design solutions aligning to overarching Global Retail Design Playbook and Guidelines

Acts as spokesperson for department, supporting ongoing process refinement, business decisions, and strategies that enhance the guest experience

Implementation of new strategies, initiatives, workstreams, concepts, templates and design standards,

Collaborates with Global teams through the design and execution of their projects to ensure a global consistency

Enrolls and liaises with senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners on execution of design strategies, and ongoing support of real estate and operational strategies, participating in regional portfolio reviews, quarterly business review, high level strategy meetings and senior level design approval meetings

Supports Store Design team members in presentations to external partners to gain permissions and approval (e.g. Presentations of concept to landlords, architectural review board, etc.) where needed

Responsible for performance management, merit and people decisions

Oversee and manage range of consultants, (architects, fixture manufacture, AV consultants, lighting designer/manufacture) ensuring appropriate service level agreements in place, allowing team to open new stores in a timely manner and with all necessary process in place (permits, drawing supply, fixture supply, etc)

Qualifications

Degree in Interior Design or Architecture, or equivalent

NCIDQ and/or LEED accreditations an asset

10+ years minimum experience in retail store space planning and design, and/or architectural or interior design consultancy practices

Fluent in AutoCAD, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Smartsheet

Excellent at developing and communicating creative design solutions, enrolling partners and teams throughout the process

Hand skteching and detailing an asset

Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate actively and proactively with others in a cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team.

Excellent verbal, visual and presenter communication skills to diverse business stakeholders of various management types and levels of the organization.

Demonstrated successful management of multiple projects and initiatives deliverables at different phases of development on time and within the given budget.

Ability to effectively manage tasks of varying complexities, strong ability to drive projects forward, meet deadlines and work well under pressure.

Analytical, communication and organizational skills, strong written and oral communication abilities

Detail oriented problem solver who are able to employ leadership, critical thinking and time management skills and can work effectively both independently and in teams

Must Haves

• Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.

• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results.

• Communicates with honesty and kindness and creates the space for others to do the same.

• Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.

• Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.

• Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn't take themselves too seriously

Note:

Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.