Design Manager

Design Manager

Location: CHANEL Toronto Offices, ON

Reports to: President of Canada

Contract: Temporary for a maternity-leave replacement (16 months as of February 2025), and 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 Jewellery (WFJ), 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 and WFJ builds and renovations throughout all phases.
• Be responsible for the local adaptation of drawings and concept renderings received from the 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 their needs and implement their operational requirements into the design.
• Prepare the planning, budgeting, and forecasting of assigned projects and review with the CFO and President.
• Monthly reporting to the President on all active projects.
• When needed, perform 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 thorough understanding of all fields is 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 walkthroughs 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 installation 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 border. Arrange for delivery of goods from the border to a local storage facility or to the 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 & Leasing

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

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 an asset.
• Use of AutoCAD and Sketchup are mandatory.
• Use of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Excel is an asset.
• Experience with COUPA is an asset.

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.

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 a 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.

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.