Director - Retail Design

Role Overview

Director - Retail Design at Majid Al Futtaim, MAF Retail, Corporate Head Office.

Role Purpose

Lead and execute the overall design direction for retail stores, ensuring a consistent, innovative, and immersive in-store experience that resonates with customers. Create compelling environments that enhance customer engagement, increase satisfaction, and support business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Concept Development

• Develop long-term store design strategy and style by brand for the creation of new concepts and formats.
• Lead the creation and evolution of innovative retail concepts and immersive store experiences that enhance customer engagement and differentiate the brand.
• Design standardized customer journeys and customer-centric environments that improve navigation, interaction, and overall in-store experiences.

Standards & Governance

• Develop, maintain, and govern retail design standards, style guides, toolkits, and brand assets to ensure consistency across all locations.
• Define and oversee standardized store layouts, fixtures, signage, furniture, and graphics to optimize customer flow, product visibility, and operational scalability.

Implementation & Execution

• Support and oversee the implementation of new store concepts, brand takeovers, and design initiatives across markets, ensuring quality and consistency.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external design partners, ensuring alignment of retail design objectives and execution standards.

Team Leadership

• Drive performance management, talent development, succession planning, training programs, workforce planning, and policy implementation to build a high-performing team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in retail design, including concept development, store design, and brand execution.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing design teams, with at least 3 years in a management role.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong proficiency in CAD, SketchUp, 3D rendering, Adobe Creative Suite, architectural drawings, construction methods, fixture development, and visual merchandising.
• Deep understanding of global retail trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes.
• Ability to establish best practices and scalable design processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management, presentation, and collaboration skills.
• Strong multitasking ability with capacity to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluent English required; Arabic preferred.

Additional Information

• Work in a friendly environment where colleagues share positive vibes and enthusiasm for the company's future.
• Join over 45,000 diverse and talented colleagues guided by the company's Leadership Model.
• Majid Al Futtaim has built a reputation as a regional market leader over 27 years.