Senior Design Manager

A bit about the job

To drive and deliver world class environments in all Selfridges’ stores through innovative strategic planning and highly professional design management, creating outstanding and innovative environments and experiences. To manage internal communication both internally, and with external consultants while keeping key stake holders up to date. The Senior Design Manager will be a role model and ambassador for living the Selfridges values which will help in the management and development of their team. The Senior Design Manager will lead and drive change to continue to evolve Selfridges unique retail environments

Scope:

To support the Property Design Director, the Selfridges Executive team and the business in general in all Strategic Planning and Design related matters to deliver best in class solutions for all stores by:

Informing, developing and implementing the Strategic Masterplans and the associated Design Guidelines
Ensuring the effective Design Management of all projects through the entire design, development and delivery process
Managing project requests from B&M taking them through feasibility studies where appropriate
Overseeing the development and maintenance of digital drawing data for all Selfridges’ sites
Effectively managing the internal and external design teams
Oversee and responsibility for the design delivery of categories dependant on scale, and manage team workflow and allocation
Manage and lead the Design Managers and Coordinators, through motivating, inspiring and mentoring the team

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Design Planning

Work with the Lead Design Manager and Design Planning teams to aid in developing and delivering strategic retail Masterplan briefs and feasibilities for all stores
Lead presentations up to Exec level to drive decision making and support in unlocking change for future projects
Produce planning and delivery sequence and timeline
Assist in producing high level budget cost to support capital planning
Monitor competitors, and carry out industry research

Manage collation and production of strategic design guidelines, compartment design guidelines, project specific design guidelines and creation of temporary guidelines for refresh projects ensuring alignment throughout
Manage projects up to complex flagship brands with full strip out and build
Manage relevant design team members, with strong leadership and ownership skills

Design Management

Lead for a number of high profile category projects, managing directly key category projects, with allocated projects delegated to design team
Run and lead a Masterplan scale project with full project team, and multiple business stakeholders
Coordinate production of retail briefs for all projects and ensure alignment with proposed plans
Lead brand design briefings as required, chaired by Project Manager
Manage the approval of brand shopfit projects through concept and detailed design stages:
Manage business feedback and approval
Presentation of proposals to the Board for approval
Ensure projects adhere to Selfridges’ Masterplan and Store Guidelines

Ensure timely and sufficient design information is passed to Project Manager’s for the delivery phase
Work closely with the project management team to ensure design integrity is maintained at each stage of the design and delivery process
Participate in post-project reviews and design analysis
Manage creative consultants to ensure design solutions are developed in line with agreed cost parameters and project programmes
Ensure designs meet or exceed defined quality standards and compliance with requirements of legislation and/or external authorities
Ensure internal design approvals and financial sanctions are obtained at appropriate stages
Encourage design innovation and creativity.

Project Requests and Feasibility

First point of contact for B&M on all new project requests
Carry out design feasibility studies with support from the delivery team (when appropriate)
Manage the planning and feasibility process for upcoming strategic projects, taking them to business approval, producing planning layouts, budget cost and draft timeline (with support from the delivery team)
Support shortlisting of architects for strategic projects (with Head/Lead Design, creative team) and provide supporting information for the briefing

Leadership & Management

Ability to lead design direction to drive and influence decision making
Work with the Lead Design Manager and Head of Design to manage, develop and coordinate the internal design team and their day to day workload
Monitor the performance and progress of the design team
Create and effectively lead internal and external consultant teams
Manage change and potential conflict
Establish a communication plan for the design stage of projects
Demonstrate ability to manage and lead multiple stakeholders across a range of business functions
Encourage and promote an understanding of the Selfridges brand values amongst external consultants
Demonstrates senior leadership behaviours within the design team, and across the business

A bit about you

Strategic design vision and planning
Strong and flexible design skillset with excellent project planning
Expert understanding of the retail and design landscape.
Innovative, forward thinking, but with highly commercial approach – able to develop and implement new ideas in cost effective ways
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Excellent leadership, interpersonal and relationship skills
Coaching style of management and the ability to motivate others
Strong negotiator and influencer
Resilience and ability to work under pressure on many diverse projects
In depth knowledge of CAD and other design related packages

Key Behaviours:

Experienced designer with passion for retail and innovation
Self-motivated leader
Ability to inspire and manage a team
Ability to manage and solve complex challenges
Excellent decision maker often under time pressure
Excellent presentation skills