Lead Store Concept Planner

Lead Store Concept Planner About the Role This role translates the brand strategy into scalable store concepts and systems that shape the customer experience across the fleet. Acting as a senior thought partner, it drives concept leadership, cross-functional alignment, and clear recommendations that balance creativity, feasibility, and long-term business goals What You’ll Do • Lead the development and evolution of scalable store concepts, systems, fixture strategies, and brand-level standards that support enterprise brand, customer experience, and business goals, all with critical self-management • Serve as a senior cross-functional partner to Merchandise Presentation, In-Store Marketing, Brand Creative, and Store Operations to integrate brand environment design strategy into the broader brand ecosystem • Shape strategies by defining design intent, frameworks, and principles that guide designers and cross-functional partners, creating and issuing necessary materials to allow coordination, implementation and execution within core team • Own the creation and ongoing refinement of store design standards, playbooks, and toolkits, ensuring they are scalable, actionable, and aligned with brand strategy • Develop prototype development and fixture concepts from ideation through recommendation, partnering with internal teams and external consultants and vendors to validate design, functionality, and feasibility • Support priorities for consistent, compelling customer experiences while balancing creativity, operational feasibility, and long-range business priorities • Mentor and task-lead team partners, providing creative direction, feedback, and prioritization while elevating overall team capability and output • Represent team in key project forums, participating in routine status meetings while maintaining momentum and clarity • Identify opportunities to evolve the store environment with a long-range perspective, contributing to multi-year concept roadmaps and future-state thinking in partnership with leadership • Develop executive-ready presentations and narratives that clearly articulate design strategies, tradeoffs, and recommendations for senior leadership review • Additional tasks may be assigned What Skills You Have Required • 4+ years of experience in retail store design, architectural environments, or concept development within a multi-unit or national retail context • Demonstrated ability to lead concept development, standards creation, or system-level design work that scales across a fleet • Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate brand and business objectives into physical environments • Proven experience influencing cross-functional partners and building alignment across merchandising, operational, and marketing teams • Advanced communication skills, including the ability to create concise, executive-level presentations and clearly articulate recommendations • Proficiency collaborating with architects, designers, vendors, and consultants to develop and validate design concepts and prototypes • Proficient skills in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office / Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) • Working experience in 3D modeling/rendering, including both SketchUp and Lumion or V-Ray software platforms Preferred • Bachelor's Degree in related field • Experience contributing to or leading the development of fixture systems, modular kits of parts, or brand environment standards • Familiarity with retail capital planning considerations, constructability, and operational impacts of design decisions • Prior experience mentoring or task-leading creative professionals in a matrixed environment For other Kohl's jobs, click here here!