Sr Manager, Store Design . Disney

Design Better Podcast; Kissimmee (FL); On-site; USD 133,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Education programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

Disney seeks a Sr Manager, Store Design to lead end-to-end retail space design for parks, resorts, and signature experiences. You will guide concept development, execution, and delivery across multiple projects while upholding brand standards and guest-centric excellence.

You will mentor teams, manage complex schedules, and collaborate with operations, merchandising, facilities, and vendors to deliver on-brand environments that elevate storytelling and guest experience.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in retail design or branded architectural delivery.
• 3+ years leading professional design teams.
• Strong ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and specs.
• Deep knowledge of building codes and retail design standards.
• Ability to communicate concepts to leadership and partners.
• Proven track record managing multiple projects to budgets and schedules.
• Experience working cross-functionally and influencing without authority.
• Proficient with MS Office (Excel/Word/Project).
• Fluency with 3D rendering and CAD workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead store design activities from concept to completion, aligned with goals and brand standards.
• Oversee design concepts, layouts, finishes, fixtures, and visual storytelling for retail spaces.
• Provide leadership and development to the Store Design & Development team.
• Review drawings and vendor shop drawings for accuracy and codes compliance.
• Manage multiple projects with timelines, budgets, and quality targets.
• Monitor milestones and mitigate risks to keep momentum.
• Resolve design issues during construction with internal and external teams.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to align direction and changes.
• Represent Store Design in forums, offering guidance and leadership.
• Build relationships with Operations, Merchandising, Facilities, Architecture & Engineering, and vendors.
• Support pilot programs and new design initiatives to boost performance.
• Ensure projects reflect Disney's quality and guest experience.

Skills

Store design leadership

Architectural design

Project management

Brand standards

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

3D rendering

CAD workflows

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture/Interior Design or related field

Tools

SketchUp

Rhino

3DS Max

Enscape

VRay

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Sr Manager, Store Design

About the Role & Team

At Disney Consumer Products, we inspire imagination around the world and are committed to creating happiness for families and fans by bringing captivating, inspiring, and inclusive products into their daily lives. From toys to t-shirts, console games, books, and more, our team brings our beloved brands and franchises into the lives of families through products and experiences that can be found worldwide, such as the Disney Store e-commerce platform, Disney Parks, local and international retailers, and Disney Store locations around the world.

The Senior Manager, Store Design is a knowledgeable specialist and strategic leader responsible for the end-to-end design and delivery of retail environments across Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, and Disney Signature Experiences, ensuring every space reflects Disney's storytelling, brand standards, and guest-centric excellence in our theme parks, resorts, cruise, vacation, travel, and retail destinations.

This is a Full-Time role

You will report to the Director, Store Design & Development

What You Will Do

In this management role, you will lead multiple related store design teams, guiding concept development, design execution, and project delivery for retail locations that support Walt Disney World and special locations creative, guest-focused, and consumer-driven business. You will set departmental strategies and priorities, allocate resources, and partner across operations, merchandising, facilities, and external vendors to deliver innovative, on-brand environments that elevate the guest and consumer experience. This role matters because it connects design vision to business goals, requiring a strategic, collaborative, detail-oriented leader who can mentor others, manage complexity, and drive results in a fast-paced, multi-project environment.

• Lead and manage day-to-day store design activities from concept through project completion, ensuring alignment with business goals, brand standards, and operational needs.
• Oversee the creation of design concepts, store layouts, finish selections, fixture design, and visual storytelling elements that bring Disney stories to life in retail environments.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the Store Design & Development team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and an inclusive, team-oriented culture.
• Review, interpret, and provide direction on architectural drawings, engineering documents, and vendor shop drawings to ensure accuracy, adherence to design intent, and compliance with codes and standards.
• Drive project management excellence by managing multiple concurrent projects, ensuring deliverables meet established timelines, budgets, and quality expectations in fast-paced environments.
• Monitor and manage all design milestones and deliverables, proactively identifying risks and implementing solutions to maintain project momentum and schedule integrity.
• Resolve design issues quickly during construction and build-out phases, partnering with internal and external teams to protect design intent and guest experience.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to align design direction, communicate changes, and ensure seamless coordination across partners and stakeholders.
• Represent Store Design as the subject matter expert in internal and external forums, providing guidance, recommendations, and design leadership while influencing without direct authority.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with partners across Operations, Merchandising, Facilities, Architecture & Engineering, and external vendors to support shared objectives and guest-focused outcomes.
• Contribute to departmental innovation by supporting pilot programs, process improvements, and new design initiatives that enhance creative, consumer, and operational performance.
• Ensure all projects reflect Disney's commitment to quality, storytelling, and exceptional guest experience across theme parks, resorts, cruise, and retail locations.
• Define strategies, expectations, and priorities that connect team responsibilities to company-wide goals, empowering teams to pursue solutions for both immediate and future challenges.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in retail design, store planning, or related architectural design roles including branded architecture or experiential design, with a major retail company or top design agency.
• 3+ years of management experience leading professional design teams.
• Strong proficiency in reading and interpreting architectural and engineering documents, shop drawings, and specifications.
• Deep knowledge of building codes, retail design standards, and construction processes for store environments.
• Ability to communicate design concepts visually and verbally to leadership and cross-functional partners, including executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple fast-paced projects with strict adherence to budget, schedule, and quality requirements.
• Demonstrated success working within cross-functional teams and influencing without authority in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Project).
• Proficiency in 3D rendering and visualization tools and familiarity with CAD-based workflows.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills; results-oriented, self-motivated, and able to operate independently while escalating appropriately.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in leadership roles within multi-unit or experiential retail environments such as theme parks, resorts, cruise, or destination retail.
• Expert skills in 3D modeling, CAD, and rendering tools (e.g., SketchUp, Rhino, 3DS, Enscape, VRay) and familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite for environmental and retail graphics.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Construction Project Management, or related field with emphasis on retail or experiential environments preferred

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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The hiring range for this position in Florida is $132,600 to $177,700 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Kissimmee, FL, USA