Retail Design Director - Luxury and Heritage Projects

Job description / Role

As a Retail Design Director, you will be tasked with designing and delivering world-class retail spaces while paying homage to the heritage of the site and its significance in Saudi culture.

Client Details
- Major redevelopment as part of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, with a focus on transforming the area into a cultural, historical, and tourism center.

Description

Luxury & Heritage Design Leadership:
- Develop and execute design concepts for retail spaces that align with the vision of the client, integrating elements of Saudi heritage with modern luxury aesthetics
- Lead the conceptualization of flagship stores, luxury boutiques, and high-end retail spaces that reflect the region's cultural heritage and historical significance.
- Ensure that retail environments enhance the customer experience

Retail Development & Project Management:
- Oversee all phases of retail design projects, from initial concept and planning to execution and final delivery, ensuring all projects align withe clients vision.
- Manage design timelines, budgets, and resources efficiently to meet the goals of the project without compromising on luxury standards or heritage considerations.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including architects, engineers, interior designers, and contractors to bring designs to life, ensuring consistency with design intent.

Collaboration with Luxury Brands:
- Engage with international and local luxury retail brands, guiding them in creating store designs that resonate with the cultural identity of the client while meeting global luxury standards.
- Review and approve all design proposals, renderings, and material selections from luxury brands, ensuring consistency with the overarching design vision of the project.

Stakeholder Communication & Presentations:
- Present design concepts, progress updates, and completed projects to senior leadership, government officials, and key stakeholders, maintaining a clear line of communication throughout the project lifecycle.
- Act as a brand ambassador, effectively communicating the vision for the project and its cultural significance to external partners, retail tenants, and visitors.

Innovation & Trend Awareness:
- Stay abreast of global luxury retail design trends and technological innovations that can enhance the customer experience while being mindful of the unique cultural context.
- Propose innovative design solutions that balance luxury, functionality, and heritage, ensuring That the project remains at the forefront of global retail experiences.

Job Offer
- The role is likely to offer significant visibility and prestige, with opportunities for career advancement in the future.
- Networking opportunities with top global designers, architects, and leaders in the industry
- Opportunity to contribute to a key project part of the 2030 Saudi Arabia's Vision

Educational Background: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture, Interior
Design, or related field.

* Experience:
o 20+ years of experience in luxury retail design, with a significant focus on projects that incorporate cultural or heritage elements.
o Proven experience leading large-scale retail design projects for luxury brands or high-profile developments.
o International experience and understanding of Middle Eastern cultural sensitivities is a plus

* Creative Vision: Strong ability to blend modern luxury retail design with
historical and cultural preservation. Understanding of how to create immersive retail environments that are both visually striking and culturally respectful.

* Technical Skills: Proficiency in design software (AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).

*Leadership & Project Management: Proven ability to lead and inspire design teams, manage multiple high-end projects simultaneously, and collaborate with external stakeholders.

*Cultural Sensitivity: A deep understanding of Middle Eastern culture, specifically Saudi Arabian heritage, and a passion for preserving and integrating these elements into modern retail environments.

*Communication Skills: Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and confidently to both creative and non-creative stakeholders.

About the Company

Michael Page is one of the world's leading professional recruitment consultancies, specializing in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions with clients around the world.

The Group has operations in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. In the Middle East we focus on the areas of:

Finance & Accounting Banking & Financial Services Procurement Property & Construction Engineering & Supply Chain Oil & Gas Technical and Engineering Human Resources Sales Marketing Technology Secretarial Executive Search Legal

The Group operates through 161 offices in 33 countries and employs over 5,000 employees worldwide.