Director, Store Design

About the Company

Shiseido Americas is part of the global Shiseido organization and represents a portfolio of prestige beauty and fragrance brands. The team is based in New York City and operates across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The company emphasizes inclusion, collaboration, creativity, and a fast-moving, innovation-led culture.

Role Overview

The Director, Store Design will report to the Executive Director, US Store Design and Visual Merchandising. This role leads store design work across multiple retail partners and channels, including boutiques, department stores, specialty retail, and open-sell environments. The position calls for a strong design point of view, solid execution skills, and the ability to move projects quickly from idea to rollout while balancing brand standards, budget discipline, and commercial goals.

Where You Will Work

This position supports multiple brands, including Shiseido, Clé de Peau, Hermès, Narciso Rodriguez, and NARS, across retail partners such as Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, and others.

Concept Design and Development

• Lead store design initiatives from concept through implementation, including new openings, renovations, and fixture development.
• Translate global design direction into retail-specific layouts and proposals for U.S. department store counters, open-sell spaces, and in-store fixtures.
• Prepare briefs, design intent materials, schematic drawings, and 3D visuals for headquarters, internal stakeholders, and retailer reviews.
• Partner closely with Visual Merchandising, Marketing, and Sales to align on design direction and timing.
• Collect stakeholder feedback and refine concepts to reflect business, brand, and partner needs.

Project Management

• Run several projects at once and move them efficiently from concept to launch.
• Maintain high standards across creative output, execution, budgets, schedules, and quality control.
• Work with the Executive Director to develop CapEx budgets for Marketing and Finance review.
• Own project budgets, workflows, and detailed timelines after approval.
• Handle communication with external consultants and vendors.
• Manage the RFP process for new counters, renovations, and fixture programs.
• Review vendor proposals, technical drawings, and production shop drawings to confirm alignment with design intent and budget.
• Recommend design alternatives and cost-saving solutions when needed to stay within approved spend.
• Attend offsite vendor meetings to review prototypes and fixture development.
• Oversee on-site installation and renovation activities.
• Coordinate store-opening photo shoots with Visual Merchandising.
• Work with production vendors and Visual Merchandising after installation to complete punch lists.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate brings at least 10 years of experience in luxury beauty or fashion, along with a deep understanding of the pace and expectations of that industry. A background in architecture, interior design, or industrial design is required, together with practical experience in design, production, and construction. Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, presentation, and cross-functional partnership skills are essential. The role also requires advanced knowledge of AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office.

This person should be highly organized, detail-oriented, self-directed, and comfortable delivering projects independently in a fast-paced environment. The right candidate will combine creativity with commercial awareness, know how to work with premium materials and fixtures, and bring a positive, collaborative approach to team leadership.

Additional Notes

Applicants may be asked to take on other responsibilities that support the company’s mission, vision, and values. The position is associated with a New York-area legal/hybrid tag in the source, but the role is listed as onsite in New York.

Benefits and Compensation

Shiseido Americas offers a broad benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; paid time off; paid volunteer days; paid company holidays; paid parental leave; a 401(k) plan with a 6% company match; learning and development programs; internal and international mobility; product discounts and annual gratis; employee affinity groups; and tuition reimbursement.

The company also notes that total compensation may include a bonus program and that base pay can vary by location, knowledge, education, skills, and experience. The stated salary range for this position is $117,000 to $175,500.

Equal Opportunity

Shiseido is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected classification under applicable law.