JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic Manager of Store Design to join the UP&E Global Retail Design & Visual Merchandising team. This role will lead the development of innovative retail environments and product presentations for Universal Destinations & Experiences and global UP&E retail initiatives. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with strong project management skills and a passion for delivering immersive, guest-centric shopping experiences that tell stories.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Retail Conceptualization and Design Development

• Drive the evolution of our store concepts to create frictionless shopping experiences with visually compelling interiors that support our product strategies, tell our stories, inspire and engage guests, and drive strong financial performance.
• Creative development: Oversee concept to design development of select new retail locations and refurbishment projects, collaborate in ideating visual presentation strategies, merchandise fixture solutions, or new experiential retail concepts that align with brand standards and business objectives.
• Technical Expertise: Create and manage Auto-CAD / technical drawings, specifications for fixtures and displays, interior plans, elevations, and related furniture / fixture schedules as needed. Create 3D models to evaluate or communicate fixture & VM display designs.
• Global Shares and Symphony Support: Collaborate to deliver retail development related projects that contribute to globally shared product initiatives, as well as corporate-wide / NBCUniversal strategic initiatives referred to as ‘Symphonies’.

Retail Design Influence and Cross-Functional Partnership

• Share retail design related best practices and specifications throughout retail organizations and projects globally. Research, recommend and promote new fixture designs, technologies, lighting, etc. to drive positive evolution of our retail experiences.
• Advocate for, manage and maintain the Global Merchandise Fixture standards and Guidelines documents to ensure global consistency and operational efficiencies. Archive and manage a library of specifications, fixture drawings and details. Manage the evolution of the Global Standards documents to deliver ongoing retail improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with UP&E business teams (including Product Development & Design, Park Revenue Operators & VM teams globally), as well as Universal Creative, Marketing, and IP holders as needed through project workflows.

Design Management

• Establish and maintain project workflows, communicate updates, drive progress and results, and ensure timelines and retail quality standards are met. Keep projects on track by building strong partnerships and solving challenges quickly.
• Perform the administrative aspects of managing projects as needed including documentation, reporting, and coordination of approvals to keep projects organized and on track.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in interior design or industrial design required, with graphic design skills preferred; or related field.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of experience with interior design, architectural firm, similar creative agency, or corporate Visual Merchandising; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of strong project management and organizational skills in an office or theme park environment.
• Proven experience in retail store design, visual merchandising, or related field in agency or in-house design organization
• Experience in development and or sourcing of furniture or fixture design and or production is helpful.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Technical Drawing Standards & Creation: Strong understanding of architectural drawing standards and conventions, with the ability to produce technical documents for fixtures and displays. Must be comfortable reviewing and working within full construction document sets to ensure accuracy, and seamless integration with broader architectural plans.
• Proficiency in Design Software: Skilled in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite; additional similar platforms to develop and visualize retail concepts effectively.
• Project Collaboration & Document Management Tools (preferred): Familiarity with platforms such as Bluebeam Revu, Smartsheet, and construction management systems like Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) or Aconex for document control and workflow coordination.

Universal Products & Experiences Overview:

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and 3rd party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s three lines of business include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalproductsexperiences.com/

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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