Senior Design Manager

Location: CHANEL Toronto Offices, ON

Reports to: Head of Store Planning

Contract: Permanent & Full-Time

Your role @ Chanel:

Lead all phases of design coordination, construction project management, procurement, and financial reporting for all new projects and existing asset renovations relating to Fragrance and Beauty (F&B), Watches and Fine Jewelry (WFJ), Fashion and CHANEL Corporate offices within Canada. Demonstrate a command of the brand’s image, adhere to CHANEL global guidelines and work hand in hand with other business units within the Canadian team.

What impact you can create at Chanel

Management of Design Process

• Project management and execution for all new F&B, Fashion and WFJ and Corporate builds and renovations throughout all phases.
• Be responsible for the local adaption of drawings and concept renderings received from UK regional Store Planning team.
• Design and coordinate all back of house stockrooms and operational spaces.
• Hire and work with local professionals to prepare full working drawing packages for permit, tender, and construction.
• Work closely with internal cross functional teams to understand and their needs and implement their operational requirements into the design.
• Prepare the planning, budgeting and forecasting of assigned projects and review with the Head of Store Planning, CFO and President.
• Monthly reporting to the Head of Store Planning on all active projects.
• When needed, preform site visits, and collaborate with CHANEL’s Repair and Maintenance Manager to ensure CHANEL’s brand image standards are being maintained across the Canadian portfolio.
• Obtain relevant approval for proposed design and ensure subsequent detailing, specification and overall project management is of the highest standard.
• Update the Project Critical Path, ensuring that the design is both on time and on budget.
• Manage and ensure rapid and efficient work output.
• Responsible for managing, reviewing, and implementing the design of audio visual, security, information technology, lighting, and loss prevention systems. A through understanding all of fields are required.
• Work with the landlord’s tenant coordination team and negotiate best outcomes for the brand.
• Ensure landlord’s handover conditions meet brand standards and executed lease document.
• Select and award general contractors, suppliers and consultant team.
• Lead walk throughs on the construction site with external and internal team members as required.
• Ability to identify discrepancies between approved drawings and site conditions. The candidate will find resolutions for such variances to not affect timeline and budget.
• Issue status reports to regional and local teams during the construction process.
• Inspect quality of all finishes, furniture, materials, and products that arrive on site. Will work with suppliers on replacements if required.

Management of Shop fitters and Installation

• Effective management of the selected shop fitters to ensure timely, high-quality and correct delivery and instillation of all CHANEL millwork.
• Oversee site control and inspection of installation where necessary and ensure compliance with relevant local building and health and safety regulations.
• Review and approval of shop drawings.
• Ensure timely and appropriate delivery to site of all necessary components for installation as well as timely distribution of relevant drawings to Merchandising Manager, Display Representatives and other relevant parties.

Administrative and Procurement

• In collaboration with the CFO, ensure all design works fall within agreed upon budgets.
• Timely, accurate and efficient management and coding of incoming and outgoing invoices as well as payments related to each project, in conjunction with other members of the team.
• Write POs using COUPA and issue them to vendors, track invoices and coordinate with finance for payment.
• Manage directly procured product shipments from various suppliers. Work with customs agent brokers to clear goods at the boarder. Arrange for delivery of goods from boarder to a local storage facility or to construction site.
• Ensure negotiated quotes with suppliers are of the best value and quality. Ensure insurance and warranties are included when possible.
• Adhere to CHANEL’s procurement policy, green guidelines and sustainability efforts.
• Travel within Canada for 30% of the role.

Legal and Leasing

• Support legal and leasing teams with lease documents in relation to store design and construction.

Although comprehensive, the job description is not exhaustive and additional duties may be added according to the needs of the business and as requested by the President and/or CHANEL Head Office.

What you will bring to the role

• Minimum of 10+ years retail store design experience on client or agency side.
• Degree in Interior Design or Architecture or equivalent experience working on similar luxury retail projects for a minimum of 10 years.
• Strong comprehension of architectural and engineering drawings (required).
• Confidence and practical understanding of a construction site (required).
• PMP designation or LEED accreditation is as asset.
• Use of AutoCAD and Sketchup are mandatory.
• Use of Photoshop, Indesign, Ilustrator and Excel is an asset.
• Experience with COUPA is as asset.

You are energized by

• Fast-paced design/architecture projects.
• Thinking outside of the box.
• Collaborating with people.

What you would gain from this experience

• The opportunity to develop and be part of dynamic team and work environment .
• An understanding of how the company operates to such high standards.
• An environment in which to express both your curiosity and your abilities, to contribute to your long-term personal and professional growth.
• Competitive base salary: $125,000-$135,000 + bonus

Benefits at CHANEL

Our employee benefits have been created to support you across your professional and personal life by offering you:

• Health & Wellness – Private medical and dental insurance, long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Plus, the option to add family members. Financial Security – A strong company pension plan and bonus program to help you plan for the future.
• Time to Recharge – Enjoy generous vacation days, sick leave, CSR (volunteering) days, and even a day off for your birthday!
• Parental Support – A robust global parental leave policy to support you during life’s important moments.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – 24/7 access to resources, including counseling, legal support, wellness services, and financial guidance.
• Professional Growth & Development – We are committed to your success. From mentorship programs and learning opportunities to career advancement within the company, we provide the tools and resources to help you grow.
• Benefits are eligibility dependent and subject to change at any time.

At Chanel, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity, complementarity and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience and potential you could bring to CHANEL.

CHANEL CANADA ULC. welcomes all applicants for this position. We are committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.