Senior Visual Merchandising Designer

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Senior Visual Merchandising Designer to lead 3D spatial concepts, fixture design, and seasonal rollouts across our specialty-multi retail footprint as well as experiential pop-ups and trade events.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between creative storytelling and physical execution. You will translate brand campaigns and new product launches into high-impact, compliant retail environments, handling everything from initial 3D renderings and tech packs to prototype approvals and vendor QA.

Key Responsibilities

• 3D Retail Design & Prototyping: Develop photorealistic 3D renderings, elevations, and detailed technical mechanicals/spec packs for gondola endcaps, wall bays, towers, glorifiers, and tester trays across retail partner doors.
• Retailer Guideline Compliance: Master and design directly to strict specifications (gondola depths, acrylic tolerances, illumination, universal tester unit standards, electrical access) for key prestige retail partners (e.g., Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom).
• Temporary & Experiential Activations: Design immersive physical activations, high-volume trade show booths, pop-up shops, and press preview installations from initial concept to fabrication review.
• Planograms & Graphic Updates: Oversee seasonal planogram (POG) rollouts, strip copy layouts, shade-matching guides, and graphic update kits, ensuring seamless cross-functional alignment with Regulatory, Brand, and Retail Ops.
• Production & Vendor Management: Partner directly with external fabrication vendors and print houses. Review material samples, structural mock-ups, injection molding details, and first-off prototypes to maintain cost efficiencies and finish quality.
• In-Store Audit & Maintenance: Establish practical VM guidelines, store associate setup manuals, and maintenance instructions to preserve merchandising integrity across all doors.

Qualifications & Core Competencies

• Experience: 4–7+ years of dedicated visual merchandising and retail display design experience, specifically within prestige beauty, cosmetics, or luxury consumer goods.
• Software Proficiency:
• Advanced 3D modeling/rendering tools
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for large-format print production and graphic updates.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep working understanding of retail manufacturing materials and processes: acrylic fabrication, vacuum forming, sheet metal, injection molding, wood joinery, and LED illumination/cabling.
• Retailer Fluency: Demonstrated familiarity with North American and international specialty retail fixture guidelines and compliance matrices.
• Cross-Functional Execution: Proven ability to manage tight production calendars, track vendor lead times, and deliver clean mechanicals on deadline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Scenic Design, or a related discipline.
• On-site trade show/activation build-out and strike management experience.
• Working knowledge of sustainable design practices, closed-loop material recycling, and low-VOC acrylic/print alternatives.

What we offer

This role offers the opportunity for interested candidates to work in an ever-changing growing company that is passionate about its products. Operating within a fast-moving industry and dynamic category, the successful candidate will find at Sunday Riley the open, creative and collaborative work environment that everyone seeks for themselves.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sunday Riley actively creates a culture of inclusivity and respects that diversity in the workplace leads to a positive and stronger team. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity for all employees, contractors, and prospective employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other criteria protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.