Manager - Store Design- Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and creative Senior Manager – Store Design to lead the end-to-end store design function for the brand. The role will be responsible for translating the brand vision into distinctive, customer-centric, commercially viable, and execution-ready store environments across new stores, renovations, and design-led projects. The role will own design strategy, concept development, design standards, technical detailing, agency management, cost optimization, and design execution governance, ensuring consistency across stores while continuously improving the customer experience and efficiency of store design.

The ideal candidate should have strong expertise in retail/interior design, excellent design judgement, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and projects from concept to handover.

Responsibilities:

Store Design Strategy & Concept Development

Lead the development of store design concepts aligned with brand identity, customer experience, business objectives, and store formats.

Develop and continuously enhance store design standards, guidelines, layouts, materials, fixtures, lighting, signage, and visual elements.

Create differentiated and scalable design solutions across store formats, locations, sizes, and business requirements.

Drive innovation in customer journey, space utilization, fixtures, materials, technology integration, and overall retail experience.

New Store & Renovation Design

Lead the complete design lifecycle for new stores, renovations, relocations, refurbishments, and format upgrades.

Review site inputs and develop design solutions considering store size, frontage, location, customer profile, operational requirements, and commercial objectives.

Optimize space planning to improve customer flow, product visibility, operational efficiency, and overall store experience.

Ensure designs are practical, repeatable, and scalable to support rapid store expansion.

Design Development & Technical Deliverables

Oversee preparation and review of: Concept layouts, 2D detailed drawings, 3D views and renders, Furniture and fixture drawings, MEP drawings and coordination, Ceiling, flooring and lighting layouts, Material and finish specifications, Signage and branding details, BOQs and cost estimates

Review design packages before release to the Projects/Execution team.

Agency, Consultant & Stakeholder Management

Manage external architects, interior designers, consultants, and design agencies.

Provide clear design briefs and ensure deliverables meet agreed timelines, quality standards, scope, and brand requirements.

Review, challenge, and refine agency proposals before internal submission and approval.

Ensure timely closure of design iterations, approvals, and technical queries.

Collaborate closely with Projects, Procurement, Retail Operations, VM, Brand, Marketing, Finance, IT, Security, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless project delivery.

Design Execution & Quality Governance

Ensure approved designs are accurately implemented across stores without compromising brand standards, aesthetics, functionality, or customer experience.

Conduct design reviews and periodic site visits to identify design gaps, execution deviations, and technical issues.

Drive timely resolution of design-related issues during execution.

Establish design audit and quality-control mechanisms to minimize rework, defects, execution errors, and post-opening corrections.

Capture execution learnings and incorporate them into future designs and standards.

Cost Optimization & Commercial Management

Drive design-to-cost and value engineering while maintaining brand experience, functionality, and aesthetics.

Review BOQs, materials, fixtures, finishes, and design elements to identify cost optimization opportunities.

Identify opportunities through standardization, alternate materials, modular solutions, and design simplification.

Partner with Projects and Procurement teams to achieve design-related cost efficiencies.

Track design costs against approved budgets and ensure design decisions support overall project economics.

Design Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Introduce new concepts, materials, fixtures, technology, and customer-experience solutions to strengthen the store proposition.

Identify design opportunities that improve store productivity, customer movement, product visibility, space utilization, and operational efficiency.

Develop and evaluate pilots/prototypes for new store formats and scale successful solutions.

Maintain a repository of design best practices, learnings, and standard solutions.

Team Leadership

Lead, mentor, and develop the Store Design team.

Establish clear quality, delivery, and performance expectations for the team.

Candidate Profile:

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field. Master's degree in Interior/Retail Design or a related discipline will be an added advantage.

8–12 years of relevant experience in retail, interior, architectural, or store design.

Strong experience in multi-location retail store design and execution.

Experience in jewellery, fashion, luxury, lifestyle, beauty, or premium retail will be preferred.

Experience managing design agencies, consultants, and multiple projects simultaneously.

Prior experience in team management or independently managing a store design function will be an advantage.

Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3ds Max, Photoshop, or equivalent design software.

Strong knowledge of retail space planning, architectural/interior detailing, MEP coordination, lighting, fixtures, materials, and construction detailing.

Strong understanding of BOQs, design costing, value engineering, and cost optimization.

Good understanding of retail customer journey, store operations, and visual merchandising principles.

Core Competencies

Strong conceptualization, visualization, and design judgement.

Strong commercial and cost orientation.

Excellent attention to detail and quality orientation.

Strong project management and execution capability.

Excellent stakeholder, agency, and vendor management skills.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Ability to manage multiple projects and work within tight timelines.

Creative, innovative, and updated with evolving retail design trends.

Ability to balance brand aesthetics, customer experience, functionality, cost, and execution feasibility.