Lead Store Concept Planner

FashionUnited; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

FashionUnited in the United States is seeking a senior store design leader to drive scalable store concepts, fixture strategies, and brand-level standards across a multi-unit retail network.

You will mentor teams, partner with Merchandising, In-Store Marketing, Brand Creative, and Store Operations to translate brand strategy into physical environments, and develop playbooks and standards for long-range growth.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in retail store design, architectural environments, or concept development within a multi-unit or national retail context.
• Demonstrated ability to lead concept development, standards creation, or system-level design work that scales across a fleet.
• Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate brand and business objectives into physical environments.
• Proven experience influencing cross-functional partners and building alignment across merchandising, operational, and marketing teams.
• Advanced communication skills, including the ability to create concise, executive-level presentations and clearly articulate recommendations.
• Proficiency collaborating with architects, designers, vendors, and consultants to develop and validate design concepts and prototypes.
• Working experience in 3D modeling/rendering, including SketchUp and Lumion or V-Ray software platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of scalable store concepts, systems, fixture strategies, and brand-level standards that support enterprise brand, customer experience, and business goals.
• Serve as a senior cross-functional partner to integrate brand environment design strategy into the broader brand ecosystem.
• Shape strategies by defining design intent, frameworks, and principles that guide designers and cross-functional partners.
• Own the creation and ongoing refinement of store design standards, playbooks, and toolkits to ensure they are scalable and actionable.
• Develop prototype concepts from ideation through recommendation, partnering with internal teams and external consultants.
• Mentor and task-lead team partners, providing creative direction and prioritization.
• Represent team in key project forums and maintain momentum in status meetings.
• Identify opportunities to evolve the store environment with long-range roadmaps in partnership with leadership.
• Develop executive-ready presentations and narratives for senior leadership reviews.
• Additional tasks may be assigned

Skills

Store design

Concept development

Cross-functional leadership

Executive presentations

Communication

3D modeling

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Adobe Creative Suite

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Lumion

V-Ray

Job description

What You’ll Do

Lead the development and evolution of scalable store concepts, systems, fixture strategies, and brand-level standards that support enterprise brand, customer experience, and business goals, all with critical self-management

Serve as a senior cross-functional partner to Merchandise Presentation, In-Store Marketing, Brand Creative, and Store Operations to integrate brand environment design strategy into the broader brand ecosystem

Shape strategies by defining design intent, frameworks, and principles that guide designers and cross-functional partners, creating and issuing necessary materials to allow coordination, implementation and execution within core team

Own the creation and ongoing refinement of store design standards, playbooks, and toolkits, ensuring they are scalable, actionable, and aligned with brand strategy

Develop prototype development and fixture concepts from ideation through recommendation, partnering with internal teams and external consultants and vendors to validate design, functionality, and feasibility

Support priorities for consistent, compelling customer experiences while balancing creativity, operational feasibility, and long-range business priorities

Mentor and task-lead team partners, providing creative direction, feedback, and prioritization while elevating overall team capability and output

Represent team in key project forums, participating in routine status meetings while maintaining momentum and clarity

Identify opportunities to evolve the store environment with a long-range perspective, contributing to multi-year concept roadmaps and future-state thinking in partnership with leadership

Develop executive-ready presentations and narratives that clearly articulate design strategies, tradeoffs, and recommendations for senior leadership review

Additional tasks may be assigned

What Skills You Have

Required

4+ years of experience in retail store design, architectural environments, or concept development within a multi-unit or national retail context

Demonstrated ability to lead concept development, standards creation, or system-level design work that scales across a fleet

Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate brand and business objectives into physical environments

Proven experience influencing cross-functional partners and building alignment across merchandising, operational, and marketing teams

Advanced communication skills, including the ability to create concise, executive-level presentations and clearly articulate recommendations

Proficiency collaborating with architects, designers, vendors, and consultants to develop and validate design concepts and prototypes

Proficient skills in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office / Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

Working experience in 3D modeling/rendering, including both SketchUp and Lumion or V-Ray software platforms

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Experience contributing to or leading the development of fixture systems, modular kits of parts, or brand environment standards

Familiarity with retail capital planning considerations, constructability, and operational impacts of design decisions

Prior experience mentoring or task-leading creative professionals in a matrixed environment