New Retail Store Development Project Manager

Create Careers; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth brand in Australia is looking for a New Retail Store Development Project Manager to lead the effort in establishing a new retail footprint across the country. This in-house position involves overseeing all aspects of site sourcing, architectural design, and project delivery for multiple store openings. Candidates must have proven retail construction experience and strong project management skills. The role offers a unique opportunity to shape the brand’s retail future and ensure high-quality delivery aligned with premium standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering new store builds, multi-site rollouts or retail network expansion.
• Strong understanding of retail construction, architectural design, and compliance.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the rollout of multiple brand-new retail stores across Australia.
• Manage each project from initial planning through to store opening and handover.
• Oversee construction, shopfitting, procurement, and installation of fixtures.

Skills

Retail construction

Stakeholder management

Site sourcing

Feasibility assessments

Project management

Budget management

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or related field

Job description

New Retail Store Development Project Manager

In-house position | Build a national store network from the ground up | Lead full lifecycle delivery | Permanent |

An exciting and newly created opportunity has arisen for a commercially astute, design-led and dynamic New Retail Store Project Manager to join a high‑growth brand embarking on the build of its entire physical retail network from scratch across Australia.

Reporting directly to the C‑Suite, this senior leadership role will be instrumental in defining the brand’s retail blueprint, transforming a highly successful online identity into elevated, immersive customer-first retail experiences. You will own the roll‑out of multiple brand‑new stores, shaping a national retail footprint that has not existed before.

This includes leading site sourcing, evaluating potential locations, partnering with leasing teams and landlords, assessing feasibility, and recommending the strongest opportunities for expansion. You will build the foundation of the brand’s physical presence by selecting the right sites, developing the right store formats, and delivering each project from concept to completion.

This permanent, in‑house role gives you complete oversight of the end‑to‑end lifecycle from site hunting, planning and architectural design coordination through to construction, retail fit‑out and final handover. Supported by a collaborative management team, you will oversee multiple store openings at once, ensuring on‑time, on‑budget and high‑quality delivery aligned to the brand’s premium standards.

This is a rare opportunity to build something meaningful and long‑term, shaping a brand’s entire physical retail future from day one.

Key Responsibilities

Build a Retail Network from the Ground Up

• Lead the rollout of multiple brand‑new retail stores across Australia
• Establish all store development processes, frameworks, standards and workflows from scratch
• Drive early feasibility, site assessments and concept development for new store formats
• Identify, assess and recommend new retail sites aligned to brand strategy and customer demographics
• Conduct feasibility assessments including foot traffic, competition mapping, lease structures and commercial metrics
• Work closely with leasing partners, landlords and centre management on negotiations and approvals
• Prepare and present site recommendations to senior leadership
• Manage each project from initial planning through to store opening and handover
• Develop and manage programmes, budgets, critical paths and reporting frameworks
• Oversee multiple simultaneous projects at various stages of development

Design Development & Technical Coordination

• Lead architectural design for all store concepts, ensuring brand accuracy and innovation
• Coordinate with designers, engineers, consultants and certifiers
• Prepare tender documentation, review bids and negotiate with shopfitters
• Ensure alignment with building codes, centre guidelines and regulatory requirements
• Oversee construction, shopfitting, procurement and installation of fixtures, lighting & digital screens
• Manage contractors, suppliers and partnerships across all projects
• Conduct regular site visits to ensure quality, safety and programme compliance
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with leadership teams plus IT, Operations, Commercial, Finance, Brand and CX
• Build strong relationships with landlords, developers and delivery partners
• Provide senior‑level reporting, insights and recommendations throughout each project

Store Opening, Handover & Close‑Out

• Lead store handovers with internal stakeholders
• Manage defect lists, ensuring timely resolution
• Oversee full project close‑out, documentation and cost reconciliation

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience delivering new store builds, multi‑site rollouts or retail network expansion
• Strong understanding of retail construction, architectural design and compliance
• Hands‑on experience with site sourcing, feasibility assessments and retail location evaluation
• Ability to manage multiple large‑scale projects concurrently
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management and negotiation skills
• Managing contractors across multiple projects simultaneously in their varying stages from pre‑construction planning until open for trade.
• Highly commercial with strong budgeting and tender management capabilities
• Ability to travel regularly for site inspections and project delivery (please note interstate travel will be necessary)
• Proactive, adaptable and comfortable creating processes in a high‑growth environment
• Degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or related field

How to Apply

Apply here or send us an email at [e-mail] with your updated CV and cover page highlighting your suitability based on the job requirements.

To be considered for this role you must have full working rights in Australia!

W: www.createcareers.com.au