Overview
The Director of Store Planning & Construction reports into the Vice President of Store Planning and Construction to lead the planning and construction of highly bespoke, design-driven luxury retail projects. This is a senior leadership role with dual responsibilities: managing and developing a team of Project & Cost Managers, while also directly overseeing select high-profile projects. The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise, proven leadership ability, and a track record of delivering flagship-level luxury retail environments on time and on budget.
The role demands a leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can balance the needs of multiple stakeholders while keeping their team motivated, inspired, and focused on excellence. They must model and champion our core belief: People Make the Difference - and our values - Be Creative & Innovative, Deliver Excellence and Cultivate an Entrepreneurial Spirit. For the right person, this is a career-defining opportunity to deliver some of the most compelling projects in the industry for one of the world’s most respected luxury brands.
Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of 3+ Project Managers (or similar functional roles), ensuring consistent application of best practices across all projects.
- Establish clear priorities, provide strategic direction, and coach team members to grow in capability and accountability.
- Balance leadership responsibilities with hands-on project delivery, seamlessly switching between managing people and managing projects.
- Create a collaborative, performance-driven culture that reflects the company’s high standards of excellence.
Project Leadership
- Manage end-to-end delivery of select complex projects, including flagship-level stores and high-visibility initiatives.
- Oversee budgets, schedules, procurement, and stakeholder communications with full accountability for successful outcomes.
- Resolve complex technical and design-driven challenges with agility and creativity.
- Proactively manage risks, escalating issues as needed, and ensuring there are no cost or schedule surprises.
Procurement & Contracting
- Partner with the internal Procurement Team, while remaining fully accountable for the success of project-level procurement.
- Support the creation and issuance of RFPs, lead bid leveling and validation, and negotiate final terms to ensure value and quality.
- Ensure contracts are properly executed, monitored, and enforced, with close attention to risk mitigation.
- Continuously evaluate performance of internal and external resources; propose and implement changes as required to ensure an optimally functioning organization and a high-performance vendor and consultant resource pool.
Cost & Risk Management
- Develop defensible pre-construction cost estimates based on benchmark data, design intent, and specifications.
- Rigorously track, manage, and mitigate cost risks throughout the life of each project
- Provide regular financial reporting and forecasting to senior leadership.
Your Profile
- 10+ years of experience in Store Planning & Construction, ideally within luxury retail, hospitality, or other highly design-driven industries.
- Proven success in managing a team of 3 or more Project Managers (or equivalent roles), with demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, and hold teams accountable.
- Experience directly managing complex, bespoke, and flagship-level retail projects.
- Strong foundation in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Project Management, or related advanced education/training.
- Experienced in estimating, procurement, contracting, and cost management functions
- Demonstrated ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on project execution.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to adapt style across a variety of stakeholders.
- Strong references that confirm leadership, technical expertise, and results delivery.
While luxury retail construction experience is very strongly preferred, we welcome candidates from adjacent sectors or organizations where strong construction fundamentals and processes are developed:
- Other luxury or high-design retailers.
- Luxury-focused hospitality or other high-end construction industries.
The hiring range for this position ranges from $159,120 - $230,000. The rate of pay offered will be dependent upon candidates’ relevant skills and experience. Management is also eligible for bonus.
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