Head of Creative Store Design

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Zürich; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Self-care support

Team-oriented atmosphere

Holistic development environment

Job summary

On is seeking a strategic creative leader to set the global retail design direction and guide the brand's physical spaces. You will lead a high-performing team, drive end-to-end concept development for DTCr and distributor formats, and ensure premium, consistent brand aesthetics worldwide.

You will mentor the global and regional design team, collaborate with cross-functional partners, and deliver design packages that meet stakeholder standards while balancing commercial performance.

Qualifications

• Experience in spatial, architectural or retail concept design.
• Proven ability to lead creative and technical design teams.
• End-to-end retail concept development expertise.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic design direction for all DTCr formats across regions.
• Lead development and global dissemination of Retail Design Playbooks.
• Oversee end-to-end creative work from site analysis to sign-off.
• Integrate visual merchandising, digital tech and sustainable design.
• Coordinate with Real Estate, Development and construction teams.
• Align layouts with commercial productivity and SOPs.
• Direct external agencies and franchise partners to standards.
• Mentor a global design team and drive career growth.

Skills

Spatial design leadership

Retail concept design

Team coaching

Architectural visualization

Project management (RACI/Smartsheet)

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

AutoCAD

Archicad

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About the Role

This role sets the strategic creative direction for On’s global retail touchpoints and charts the course for the brand’s physical retail presence. It leads a high-performing creative team and drives end-to-end design concept development for DTCr and DMS/FMS (Distributor/Franchise) formats across all global regions. The Retail Design team simplifies spatial complexity and translates On’s brand vision into inspiring spaces that ignite the human spirit through movement. The team comprises spatial visionaries, craftspeople, and creative strategists who collaborate across continents and disciplines to make every consumer touchpoint unforgettable.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 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 programmes.
• 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 programme 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.

Benefits & Perks

• Access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being.
• A supportive, team-oriented atmosphere.
• An environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically, including opportunities to stay active, learn, explore, and innovate.

About the Company

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