Concept Design Manager

Ulta Beauty, Inc.; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Ulta Beauty, Inc. is seeking a Concept Design Manager to own Visual Merchandising design development for net-new initiatives across store formats and markets.

You will visualize fixtures and environments, partnering with Store Design, Merchandising, Creative, and Operations to elevate the Customer Experience. You will translate business needs into compelling design concepts, oversee production readiness, and present to leadership.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of design or engineering experience, preferably in retail.
• Degree or certification in Industrial Design, Architecture, Environmental Design, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of design principles, materials, and construction methods.
• Hands-on fabrication experience is a plus.
• Ability to travel to stores, vendors, and industry events.

Responsibilities

• Lead design development of new Visual Merchandising initiatives from ideation to concept, including fixtures, displays, activations, and environments.
• Develop and visualize fixture concepts via hand sketching, 2D design, and 3D modeling/rendering using industry tools.
• Translate ideas into design concepts, considering materials, fabrication, and store execution.
• Oversee transition of concepts to peer teams and international markets with clear communication.
• Create and present design-forward presentations to Leadership, including strategy and status updates.
• Collaborate with SD&E Ops to keep projects informed and drive cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Design principles

Materials knowledge

Construction methods

Retail fixture development

Fabrication experience

Education

Industrial Design

Architecture

Environmental Design

Tools

SketchUp

Rhino

Vectorworks

Revit

Job description

OVERVIEW

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. With new stores coming online on a continual basis and the re-engineering of existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences, we’re not just growing, we’re thriving. Through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to reimagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE

As a Concept Design Manager, you will own design development for net-new Visual Merchandising initiatives within our various store formats, international markets, and promotional activations. Under the Sr. Manager, Concept Development, you will intake new projects, develop briefs, and most critically - visualize fixtures and environments which promote connection and elevate the Customer Experience. You will have a unique opportunity to bring new and exciting concepts to life and make a significant impact on our brand, in close collaboration with partners from Store Design, Merchandising, Creative, and Operations.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design development of new Visual Merchandising initiatives from initial ideation to final concept. Projects may include – but are not limited to – retail fixtures, displays, activations, and environments.
• Personally develop and visualize fixture, display, and environmental concepts through hand sketching, 2D design, and advanced 3D modeling/rendering using industry-standard tools. Adapt the level of visualization to the need – from rapid live ideation and quick concept sketches to fully developed, presentation-quality renderings.
• Translate creative ideas and business needs into clear, compelling design concepts that communicate form, scale, materiality, functionality, and Customer Experience throughout the development process. Apply knowledge of materials, fabrication, and construction to ensure concepts can translate effectively through engineering, production, and ultimately in-store execution.
• Lead the transition of fully developed concepts to peer teams and International markets, ensuring design intent, key details, and execution requirements are clearly communicated and maintained through implementation
• Author and present thoughtful, design-forward presentations to Leadership. Presentation content may include project strategy, fixture drawings, development, and status updates - condensing complex designs, strategies, and details into easily digestible recommendations.
• As an owner of design development, work closely with SD&E Ops to keep other workstreams informed of new projects, their evolution, and potential crossover. Prioritize process improvements that facilitate collaboration and mitigate duplicative touch points.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consistently work to bring the Visual Merchandising point of view to the center of discussions, partnering with cross functional teams to make thoughtful recommendations to business partners to achieve the best design.
• Research industry design trends to inform and develop new fixture concepts to maximize the in-store displays and experience.
• Work with supplier partners and industry peers to advance sustainability initiatives and elevate the store environment through strategic design, material recommendations, and production processes.
• Develop library of materials, photos, and Customer Experiences which can be leveraged to drive forward-thinking STOF designs.

THE ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESS

• 8–10 years of design and/or engineering experience, preferably in retail, with a degree or certification in Industrial Design, Architecture, Environmental Design, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of design principles, materials, construction methods, and retail/brand fixture development; hands‑on fabrication experience is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in 3D modeling and rendering software such as SketchUp, Rhino, Vectorworks, Revit, or comparable platforms.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, make decisions, and influence cross-functional partners at all levels.
• Ability to travel as needed to stores, vendors, and industry events.

The pay range for this position is $77,600.00 - $107,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta

ABOUT

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.