Experiential Retail Strategy Architect

Skill; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Part time

Job summary

Aquent Studios is partnering with a global technology leader to redefine physical retail experiences. You will lead strategy-first concepts for immersive store environments, translating consumer insights into actionable blueprints for Spatial Designers, Graphic Designers, and Prototypers.

The role emphasizes big ideas over drafting CAD drawings, guiding narrative-driven strategies and performance metrics to maximize engagement across in-store interactions.

Qualifications

• 4-7+ years in brand strategy, retail design strategy, experiential marketing, or agency-side design strategy.
• Strategy-focused over execution-focused—you excel at synthesizing complex ideas and writing persuasive briefs.
• A deep passion for physical retail with an active pulse on visual merchandising, window display trends, and omnichannel store tech.
• Comfort either conducting or interpreting qualitative consumer research, industry reports, and observational insights to inform strategic recommendations.
• Outstanding storytelling and deck creation (Keynote, Google Slides, Figma, or Miro) to pitch strategic concepts clearly to leadership or clients.

Responsibilities

• Architect end-to-end customer journey maps and experience frameworks for physical retail environments.
• Define spatial strategies that influence visitor movement, optimize traffic flow, discovery zones, and navigation.
• Define the why behind spatial installations, establishing concepts for features and store experiences, window displays, and interactive elements.
• Map out narrative-driven spatial strategies and present vision decks that bridge business objectives with memorable customer moments.
• Act as the internal SME on global retail innovation and changing shopper expectations.
• Monitor and report on what's next in retail, including window design trends and experiential visual merchandising.
• Translate qualitative and quantitative insights into clear briefs for Spatial Designers, Graphic Designers, and Prototypers.
• Establish KPIs for experiential initiatives and evaluate performance using post-occupancy studies.
• Partner with design and production teams to preserve strategic intent through execution.

Skills

Brand strategy

Retail design strategy

Experiential marketing

Agency-side design strategy

Strategic thinking

Trend forecasting

Storytelling

Presentation skills

Research & insights

Tools

Keynote

Google Slides

Figma

Miro

Job description

Aquent Studios is partnering with a global technology leader to redefine physical retail experiences. You will lead strategy-first concepts for immersive store environments, translating consumer insights into actionable blueprints for Spatial Designers, Graphic Designers, and Prototypers.

The role emphasizes big ideas over drafting CAD drawings, guiding narrative-driven strategies and performance metrics to maximize engagement across in-store interactions.