Senior Manager, Store Design FTC 12 months

at  Lululemon

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.

A day in the life of

• 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
• Maintains oversight into overall EMEA active projects and pipeline of all retail channels and classifications, co-establishes annual operating with other internal partners for Director approval
• Manages relationship 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, supporting Senior Director through development and implementation of strategic design and brand initiatives

Key Responsibilities for this role

• 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
• Supporting Sr Director, together with other Managers, acts as spokesperson for department, supporting ongoing process refinement, business decisions, and strategies that enhance the guest experience
• Supports Sr Director with 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
• 7-12 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

role classification
Your role is classified as Hybrid under our global SSC Hybrid Workplace Policy.[Hybrid] In-person collaboration is important, and much of the role can be performed remotely. Work is performed at both the SSC office 3 days per week and home office 2 days per week

• 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
• Supporting Sr Director, together with other Managers, acts as spokesperson for department, supporting ongoing process refinement, business decisions, and strategies that enhance the guest experience
• Supports Sr Director with 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