Manager - Retail Design Development

Who we arelululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.
about this teamThe Manager, Retail Design Development leads technical design excellence within lululemon's Store Design organization, ensuring retail concepts are translated into high-quality, buildable, and code-compliant environments. This role oversees design development, technical standards, architectural documentation, and consultant coordination for store projects in North America while leading and developing a team of two direct reports. The ideal candidate combines strong architectural and technical expertise with people leadership, driving consistency, innovation, and continuous improvement across lululemon's North America store portfolio.
core responsibilities
Owns the planning, prioritization, and distribution of project workload across the Retail Design Development team, effectively managing team capacity and resources in partnership with the Senior Manager, Retail Creative & Design Development.
Leads team in developing design strategies and deliverables that translate concepts into innovative design and experiences for implementation.
Leads and mentors team members in collaborative design processes and development methodologies, ensuring a clear understanding of the design intent (“why”) and its translation into technically sound, constructible solutions (“how”).
Champions excellence in technical detailing, documentation, and execution, providing leadership on Tier 1, Tier 2, and other high-profile North America projects to ensure design concepts are accurately translated into buildable construction documents.
Coaches and develops the broader Store Design team on best practices for buildability, technical design, documentation standards, and drawing accuracy through ongoing design critiques, studio reviews, and drawing reviews.
Fosters a Design Studio environment and delivers critical feedback as well as encouragement and celebration.
Manages and develops a team of 2+ direct reports responsible for quality assurance, technical design development, materials research and specification management across high-profile projects, custom storefronts, millwork programs, and net-new design initiatives throughout the North American region.
Provides technical leadership and quality oversight to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to brand standards, design intent, and construction requirements across all project deliverables.
Partners cross-functionally with Global Store Design, Retail Creative, Mainline, Construction and external consultants to proactively identify technical risks, resolve design challenges, and support successful project execution.
Develop, maintain, and evolve lululemon's retail technical design standards, prototype details, documentation processes, and design systems to drive consistency, efficiency, and quality, fostering innovation in tools, processes, and technical execution.
qualifications
Bachelor's degree or diploma in Architecture, Architectural Technology, Industrial Design, Engineering, or a related discipline.
8+ years of progressive experience in architecture, technical design, retail design, or commercial project delivery, with experience leading complex projects from concept through construction.
3+ years of people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, and team development.
Strong expertise in architectural detailing, construction documentation, building systems, and consultant coordination.
Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and other industry-standard design and documentation tools.
Thorough understanding of building codes, accessibility standards, life safety requirements, and retail construction practices.
Proven ability to establish and evolve technical standards, processes, and design documentation frameworks.
Demonstrated success partnering with cross-functional teams and external consultants to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
Strong communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence decisions across multiple levels of the organization.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on technical leadership in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.
preferred qualifications
Professional designation or eligibility through a recognized architectural or architectural technology association (AIBC, AAA, OAA, RAIC, or equivalent).
Experience leading Technical Designers, Architectural Technologists, or similar technical design teams.
Experience developing retail prototypes, design standards, and scalable documentation systems across multiple markets.
Knowledge of fixture design, millwork fabrication, and retail construction methodologies.
Experience working within a global retail, hospitality, or branded environments organization.
Familiarity with BIM management, digital design workflows, and emerging technologies that improve project delivery and team effectiveness.
must haves
Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same.
Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously.
additional notesAuthorization to work in
Canada
is required for this role.
compensation and benefits packagelululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and teamperformance. Thetypical hiring range for this position is from
$116,200 - $152,600 CAD
annually
;
the base pay offered isbased on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.
At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:
Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans
Paid time off
Savings and retirement plan matching
Parenthood top-up
Extensive catalog of development course offerings
People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few)
Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.
workplace arrangementIn-person collaboration and connection is important to our culture. Work is performed onsite, minimum 4 days per week.
Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. Lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that Lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.
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