Manager, Retail Design & Visual Merchandising (2-Year Project Hire)

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:

• Bachelors 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 NBCUniversals iconic collection of brands intellectual properties characters and stories based on the companys 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&Es 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. talent skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal Orlando Resort. Here you can.