Manager, Store Design

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount on Williams‑Sonoma brands

401(k) and other investment options

Paid vacations and time off

Job summary

Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. is seeking a Manager of Store Design to organize and implement store design across all concepts, including new stores, relocations, fixtures, franchises, remodels, and special projects.

You will lead feasibility studies, design development, and construction support, coordinating with real estate, architects, and consultants to ensure on‑time, on‑budget delivery. A strong design background and travel readiness are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (in Architecture or Interior Design preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of commercial architecture experience (retail preferred)
• Experience and highly skilled in reading architectural drawings and plans, as well as detailed material shop drawings
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office
• Ability to travel to approximately 2-4 job sites per month
• Deep knowledge of design including knowledge of different styles and materials

Responsibilities

• Implement innovative store designs and fixture designs to support changing brand and merchant needs.
• Act as an owner, managing new and remodel store projects across all brands from creating initial feasibility studies, leading the design development process, and supporting the project through construction until completion.
• Review project information received from real estate at initial transmittal for design layout, constructability, correct scope, and cost. Prepare real estate committee package for each project for executive approval.
• Manage a network of external architects and consultants to meet cost, schedule, and quality expectations for each project.
• Hold a deep knowledge of brand design standards and maintains quality across all consultants, franchise partners, vendors, and respective business partners.
• Collaborate closely with construction and procurement team partners to ensure projects complete on time and on budget.
• Serve as an architectural and design subject matter expert for business partners, including visual merchandising, IT, loss prevention, and store operations.
• Have a clear vision of design intent and can articulate this to non-technical business partners, providing customer service to help the designs meet the needs of each business partner.
• Prepare and present design packages at the executive level.
• Partner with the finance team to analyze metrics for project performance for past projects and create business-driven store design goals for upcoming projects.
• Administer architectural drawings and files, physical samples, submittals, and presentations.

Skills

Architecture reading

Adobe Creative Suite

MS Office

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree (Architecture/Interior Design)

Job description

Job Description

About the Role

The Manager of Store Design is essential for organizing and implementing the design of our retail stores for all concepts, including new stores, relocations, fixture design, franchises, shop‑in‑shops, remodels, and special projects.

Responsibilities

• Implement innovative store designs and fixture designs to support changing brand and merchant needs.
• Act as an owner, managing new and remodel store projects across all brands from creating initial feasibility studies, leading the design development process, and supporting the project through construction until completion.
• Review project information received from real estate at initial transmittal for design layout, constructability, correct scope, and cost. Prepare real estate committee package for each project for executive approval.
• Manage a network of external architects and consultants to meet cost, schedule, and quality expectations for each project.
• Hold a deep knowledge of brand design standards and maintains quality across all consultants, franchise partners, vendors, and respective business partners.
• Collaborate closely with construction and procurement team partners to ensure projects complete on time and on budget.
• Serve as an architectural and design subject matter expert for business partners, including visual merchandising, IT, loss prevention, and store operations.
• Have a clear vision of design intent and can articulate this to non-technical business partners, providing customer service to help the designs meet the needs of each business partner.
• Prepare and present design packages at the executive level.
• Partner with the finance team to analyze metrics for project performance for past projects and create business-driven store design goals for upcoming projects.
• Administer architectural drawings and files, physical samples, submittals, and presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (in Architecture or Interior Design preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of commercial architecture experience (retail preferred)
• Experience and highly skilled in reading architectural drawings and plans, as well as detailed material shop drawings
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office
• Ability to travel to approximately 2-4 job sites per month
• Deep knowledge of design including knowledge of different styles and materials

Competencies

• A passion for solving problems through design and a passion for retail
• Excellent communication skills across all levels of management
• Time management and project management skills
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast‑paced and results‑driven environment
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills
• Attention to detail, organization, and a passion for processes
• Ability to problem solve quickly and thoughtfully
• Desire to inspire customer loyalty
• Active and attentive listener

Why you will love working at Williams‑Sonoma, Inc.

• We’re a successful, fast‑growing company with an entrepreneurial vibe
• A technologically and data‑driven business
• Competitive salaries and comprehensive health benefits
• We’re at the forefront of tech and retail, redefining technology for the next generation
• We’re passionate about our internal and external clients and live/breathe the client experience
• We get to be creative daily
• A smart, experienced leadership team that wants to do it right and is open to new ideas
• We believe in autonomy and reward taking initiative
• We have fun!

Benefits

Once you are here, you can look forward to a wide variety of benefits designed to help you grow, personally and professionally, to keep you healthy, to prepare you for the unexpected, to care for your family and to build a secure future. Depending on your position and your location, here’s a look at what you might be eligible for:

• A generous discount on all Williams Sonoma Inc. brands through multiple shopping channels
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays and other time‑off programs
• Health benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance; health and dependent care tax‑free spending accounts; medical, family and bereavement leave; same‑sex domestic partner benefits; short- and long‑term disability programs; life and travel insurance; an employee assistance program
• Tax‑free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
• In‑person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross‑brand and cross‑function career opportunities
• Location specific sample sales
• A business casual work environment
• San Francisco based bike share program
• Time off to volunteerMatching donations to qualifying nonprofit organizations
• Company-sponsored community involvement
• Various discounts on local businesses

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment‑based immigration

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

For SF Only

Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $120,000 - $130,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job‑related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high‑quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams‑Sonoma, Williams‑Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully‑designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We’ve seen some big changes since our first brick‑and‑mortar store opened more than a half of a century ago. What hasn’t changed is our passion for high‑quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we’re a multi‑brand, multi‑channel, global enterprise supported by state‑of‑the‑art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we’re always looking for new energy and ideas.