Head of Creative Store Design

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a seasoned Retail Design Director to lead global brand environments and premium retail spaces. You will direct end-to-end design workstreams, develop universal playbooks, and align spatial concepts with commercial performance across markets.

You will mentor a diverse design team, partner with Real Estate and Development, and ensure feasible, high-quality store experiences that reflect On’s premium storytelling.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design teams across multiple markets and economies.
• Proven ability to translate brand storytelling into premium spaces.
• Strong understanding of commercial feasibility and construction readiness.

Responsibilities

• Set the overarching strategic design direction across flagship and outlet formats.
• Develop, evolve, and globally disseminate Retail Design Playbooks and 4.0 spatial toolboxes.
• Oversee end-to-end creative workstream from site analysis to schematic sign-off on global rollouts.
• Integrate visual merchandising, digital tech, and sustainable design into stores.
• Collaborate with Real Estate, Development, and regional teams for feasibility and hand-offs.
• Direct external agencies and partners to uphold On's design standards.

Skills

Spatial/retail design

Team leadership & mentoring

Global rollout experience

Brand design alignment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD/Archicad

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Smartsheet

Job description

At a Glance

As the fastest-growing global sportswear brand reaching millions of movers, On is leading the way in building authentic community connections through immersive, premium physical environments and next-generation retail spaces.

Your Mission

• Set the overarching strategic design direction and pipeline across all DTCr formats - from flagship experiences to outlets - ensuring a unified, premium brand aesthetic worldwide.
• Lead the development, evolution, and global dissemination of Retail Design Playbooks and next-generation 4.0 spatial toolboxes.
• Oversee the end-to-end creative workstream from site analysis through schematic sign-off across global rollout projects.
• Steer the seamless integration of visual merchandising campaigns, digital technologies, and sustainable design standards into physical retail environments.
• Partner closely with Real Estate, Development, and regional construction teams to ensure spatial feasibility, budget alignment, and smooth schematic hand-offs.
• Collaborate with Retail Operations, Merchandising, and Retail Excellence to align physical layouts with commercial productivity, customer flow, and operational SOPs.
• Direct external design agencies, local architects, and franchise partners to uphold On's design standards and deliver design packages adhering to the global stakeholder review and approval process.
• Direct, inspire, and mentor a high-performing global and regional design team, leveraging intentional delegation and active Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to foster career growth.

Your Story

• Professional experience in spatial, architectural, or retail concept design, with a proven track record of creating premium physical brand environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing creative and technical design teams in a fast-paced, multi-market environment.
• Real expertise in end-to-end retail concept development, transforming vacant spaces into benchmark-quality environments through innovative spatial planning and fixture programs.
• Advanced proficiency in architectural and spatial visualisation tools, including AutoCAD/Archicad, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong understanding of commercial and construction feasibility, building codes, accessibility regulations, and landlord criteria.
• Proven track record in global design program management, utilising tools like Smartsheet to direct workflows, schedules, and RACIs across high-volume rollouts.
• Demonstrated success collaborating with cross-functional leaders across Operations, Visual Merchandising, and Development, breaking down silos to solve complex spatial constraints.
• Exceptional visual and verbal narrative skills, with the ability to inspire diverse stakeholders and make strategic decisions that balance design integrity with commercial performance.

Your Team

We’re the spatial visionaries who turn empty spaces into immersive worlds of movement, the craftspeople obsessing over every architectural detail, fixture curve, and material texture, and the creative strategists who bridge bold ideas with operational excellence. We love pushing spatial boundaries and discovering fresh ways to bring On’s storytelling to life across our global retail fleet. We’re big thinkers and makers, constantly challenging the status quo, evolving our Retail Design Playbooks, and collaborating across continents and disciplines to make every consumer touchpoint unforgettable.

What we offer

On is a place that is centred around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.