Job Description:
The Store Design Manager is responsible for leading with brand to design and execute retail environments for the A&F Family of Brands (Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, YPB) across Owned and Operated locations in the Americas. This role ensures delivery of innovative, brand-right store experiences from design through execution, aligned to business strategies, operational requirements, and brand standards.
This individual works in close partnership with the Design Director, Store Concept & Design VP, and Real Estate & Construction leaders to execute the capital plan by ensuring projects are delivered on brand, on time, and on budget.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized and detail-oriented design leader with strong communication skills. They are hands-on with design and actively engaged in projects while also leading a team of designers to execute work at a high level. This individual is an experienced designer with a strong understanding of North America building requirements and general constructability, bringing both strategic thinking and executional rigor to ensure design intent is delivered with precision, consistency, and operational excellence across new stores, remodels, and refreshes.
What You’ll Do
Design Leadership & Execution
Lead the development and delivery of store design packages, including schematic designs layouts, fixture plans, elevations, and manage external architects to deliver project specific construction documents
Remain hands-on in design development, providing direction, review, and input across projects
Translate and adapt brand concepts to a variety of site conditions, leading with brand while optimizing each space
Uphold high standards of design quality, innovation, and brand expression across all projects
Cross-Functional Partnership
Serve as a key design partner to Real Estate, Construction, Global Procurement, Field, Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, and Marketing
Communicate clearly and proactively with partners to ensure alignment on timelines, deliverables, and design intent
Identify risks and opportunities early and drive solution-oriented outcomes throughout the project lifecycle
Project & Portfolio Management
Manage multiple concurrent projects with strong organization and attention to detail, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met
Drive execution of projects aligned to the capital plan in partnership with leadership and Real Estate
Oversee consultant partnerships and project workload, including external architecture and engineering partners
Lead the RFP process for external consultants, define scope, and align partners to project expectations
Manage consultant schedules and deliverables, ensuring clear accountability and timely execution
Ensure external partners deliver against timelines to support on-time store openings
Support seamless handoff between concept, design development, and execution phases
Ensure all design solutions are feasible, constructible, and aligned with project constraints and goals
Team Leadership & Development
Manage and mentor a team of designers, ensuring successful execution of projects across the portfolio
Provide clear direction, feedback, and coaching to elevate both individual and team performance
Balance hands-on contribution with oversight to ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency
Promote a culture of ownership, collaboration, and high-quality execution
Who You Are
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
A clear and confident communicator who can align diverse stakeholders
Proactive and takes initiative, anticipating needs and driving work forward with minimal direction
Forward-thinking with the ability to assess multiple scenarios and forecast outcomes to inform decisions
A strong, hands-on design leader who leads with brand and creates impactful retail environments
Experienced in navigating North America building requirements and ensuring constructability of design solutions
Able to balance creativity with operational, budgetary, and timeline constraints
Comfortable managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field
10+ years of experience in retail store design, architecture, or related environments
Strong proficiency in design tools (AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, or similar)
Proven experience managing projects and leading designers through execution
Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners in a retail environment
Our Company
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.
The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, YPB, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates over 750 stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com, and hollisterco.com.
At Abercrombie & Fitch Co., we lead with purpose and always put our people first. We’re proud to offer equitable compensation and benefits, including flexibility and competitive Paid Time Off, as well as education and engagement events, including various Associate Resource Groups, volunteer opportunities and additional time off to give back to our global communities.
Benefits & Perks
As an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) associate, you’ll be eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs designed to fit you and your lifestyle. A&F Co. is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive benefits that align with our company’s culture and values, but most importantly – with you! We also provide competitive incentives to reward the commitment our associates have for moving our global business forward:
Additional Information
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Company Description
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.) is a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs.
The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie brands and Hollister brands, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com, abercrombiekids.com and hollisterco.com.
Learn more about A&F Co. by visiting our corporate website here.
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
We’re always looking for the best and the brightest to join our team and contribute to the growth of our brands. Make a career move that will allow you to build and develop in the one-of-a-kind A&F corporate culture!
WORKING AT A&F
We believe that there is no better way to live our brands than to grow them from within. We recruit and promote heavily from within our own organization. Whether you are a trainee or you come to A&F with industry experience, associates at A&F enjoy an accelerated career path and are immediately exposed to a company culture devoted to quality and the long-term success of our brands.
COMPANY GROWTH
In recent years, we have seen tremendous growth at A&F. Successful openings of Abercrombie and Fitch, abercrombie kids, and Hollister Co. stores around the world have allowed us to sell trends to a much broader customer base through both brick-and-mortar locations and eCommerce sites. Career paths at A&F mirror company growth; the more we grow, the more opportunity there is for your career to grow!
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
International expansion began in 2007 when Abercrombie & Fitch opened its first international Flagship store in London. The reception was extraordinary and marked the beginning of a very successful expansion strategy for the A&F family of brands. Flagship stores in cities across Europe and Asia are must-see attractions and true showcases for each brand. The brands will continue to expand around the world in the coming years. With all of these new opportunities, there has never been a better time to be an A&F associate!