AVP Store Design

PSI (Proteam Solutions); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

PSI (Proteam Solutions) seeks an experienced Assistant Vice President, Store Design - Concepts in Manhattan, NY. This hybrid role guides brand concepts and retail architectures across three fashion, lifestyle, and beauty brands.

You will lead creative direction, governance of design standards, and cross-functional collaboration with Real Estate, Construction, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Procurement. A design leadership background and strong portfolio are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture required. Registered Architect preferred.
• 10–15+ years of experience in architecture, retail design, store concept development, or related disciplines.
• Proven experience leading conceptual design for premium retail, luxury, fashion, beauty, or multi-brand retail environments.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating flagship store concepts, retail architecture, spatial design, and brand evolution.
• Experience developing and maintaining comprehensive retail design standards and brand guidelines.
• Strong understanding of architectural design, materials, fixtures, lighting, space planning, and retail customer experiences.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Revit, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience directing or reviewing high-quality 3D visualizations and architectural renderings.
• Demonstrated experience leading creative teams and managing cross-functional design initiatives.
• Exceptional presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative vision and conceptual evolution of retail environments across three brands.
• Develop innovative concepts for flagship locations, new stores, temporary retail spaces, and pop-ups.
• Translate brand strategies into architectural concepts, layouts, materials, fixtures, and experiential design elements.
• Research trends to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Partner with Procurement to source materials within budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Presentation skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture

Licensed Architect preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Vectorworks

Revit

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Assistant Vice President, Store Design - Concepts

Location: Manhattan, NY (Hybrid - 3 days onsite per week)

Office Location: 55 Water Street, New York, NY

Employment Type: Contract (Potential for Extension or Conversion)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Assistant Vice President, Store Design - Concepts to lead the creative direction, conceptual development, and evolution of retail environments across three prominent fashion, lifestyle, and beauty brands.

This leadership role is responsible for translating brand strategies into innovative, commercially impactful retail concepts while maintaining a cohesive and distinctive design identity across multiple store formats. The ideal candidate brings extensive expertise in retail architecture, spatial design, and brand concept development, along with strong strategic thinking, visual storytelling, and leadership capabilities.

The AVP will oversee the development and governance of retail design standards, lead flagship and new store concepts, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to deliver compelling customer experiences. This individual will also manage and mentor a small creative team while driving innovation and design excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Concept Development & Creative Direction

• Lead the creative vision and conceptual evolution of retail environments across three distinct brands, ensuring alignment with brand identity, customer expectations, and business objectives.
• Develop innovative concepts for flagship locations, new stores, temporary retail spaces, and pop-up experiences.
• Translate brand strategies into compelling architectural concepts, spatial layouts, materials, fixtures, and experiential design elements.
• Research global retail, architecture, hospitality, and lifestyle trends to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Partner with Procurement to source materials and develop design solutions that align with project budgets.

Design Standards & Brand Governance

• Own and continuously evolve comprehensive retail design standards and brand guidelines across all three brands.
• Establish and maintain standards for spatial planning, materials, finishes, fixtures, lighting, graphics, and customer experience touchpoints.
• Ensure design consistency, quality, and scalability across store formats and geographic markets.
• Review and guide design development to maintain concept integrity throughout project execution.

Project Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead conceptual design and localized design elements for flagship stores and strategic retail initiatives from initial vision through design development.
• Collaborate with Store Design, Real Estate, Construction, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Procurement teams to support successful execution.
• Partner with external architects, consultants, and creative agencies to deliver innovative, functional, and commercially effective retail environments.
• Present design concepts, visualizations, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Balance creative vision with operational requirements, project timelines, budgets, and construction feasibility.

Team Leadership & Innovation

• Lead and mentor a creative team consisting of a Designer and 3D Visualizer.
• Provide creative direction and review design deliverables, including layouts, mood boards, architectural concepts, renderings, and presentations.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing environment focused on creativity, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Champion innovation in retail architecture, sustainable materials, customer journeys, and experiential design.
• Identify opportunities to streamline design processes, improve standards, and enhance project efficiencies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture required. Registered Architect preferred.
• 10-15+ years of experience in architecture, retail design, store concept development, or related disciplines.
• Proven experience leading conceptual design for premium retail, luxury, fashion, beauty, or multi-brand retail environments.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating flagship store concepts, retail architecture, spatial design, and brand evolution.
• Experience developing and maintaining comprehensive retail design standards and brand guidelines.
• Strong understanding of architectural design, materials, fixtures, lighting, space planning, and retail customer experiences.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Revit, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience directing or reviewing high-quality 3D visualizations and architectural renderings.
• Demonstrated experience leading creative teams and managing cross-functional design initiatives.
• Exceptional presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership.

Key Competencies

• Strategic & Conceptual Thinking: Ability to translate business and brand objectives into innovative retail design solutions.
• Retail Architecture & Spatial Design: Advanced expertise in creating functional, engaging, and visually compelling retail environments.
• Visual Storytelling & Presentation: Strong ability to communicate design concepts through presentations, renderings, and architectural visualizations.
• Creative Leadership: Ability to inspire, mentor, and guide design teams while maintaining high creative standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to balance creative direction with commercial objectives, operational requirements, and project budgets.

A portfolio showcasing retail concept development, flagship store design, and architectural design work is required for consideration.

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