Associate, Retail Design Management (New York)
We are currently looking for our: Associate, Retail Design Management What We Offer At URW, we are shaping the future of retail destinations through our Better Places 2030 agenda, a commitment to creating exceptional places that meet the highest environmental standards while enhancing the communities we serve. At the forefront of innovation, our 2,600 talented professionals collaborate across disciplines to create vibrant destinations and memorable customer experiences. Our success is driven by our people, their expertise, and a shared commitment to excellence, sustainability, and innovation. Job Summary The Associate, Retail Design Management supports tenant design initiatives across assigned assets within the U.S. retail portfolio. Reporting to the Senior Design Director, this role is responsible for managing tenant design projects, supporting redevelopment initiatives, and helping elevate design standards across flagship assets while ensuring alignment with Westfield's design vision and customer experience objectives. The role oversees the review of storefronts, interiors, signage, materials, lighting, merchandising, and other customer-facing design elements to ensure compliance with URW design criteria, asset strategies, and brand standards. Working collaboratively with Leasing, Tenant Coordination, Asset Management, Operations, Design & Construction, and external tenant design teams, the Associate helps advance projects from initial concept through design approval, construction, and store opening. This position balances design excellence with commercial objectives, project schedules, and successful project execution. The Associate manages a portfolio of tenant projects with increasing levels of responsibility while supporting the Senior Design Director and broader RDM team on complex, high-profile assignments. The role is designed to build technical expertise, design judgment, stakeholder management skills, and project leadership capabilities that support future advancement within the Retail Design Management organization. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Tenant Design Review & Approval Review tenant concept, preliminary, and final design submissions for compliance with landlord design criteria and project-specific requirements. Evaluate storefront design, signage, materials, finishes, lighting, merchandising, interior environments, and customer experience elements. Prepare clear and comprehensive design comments, markups, presentations, and recommendations. Provide design direction to tenant architects, designers, consultants, and retailers under the guidance of RDM leadership. Independently manage design reviews for small to mid-size tenant projects. Support Design Directors on flagship, redevelopment, and strategically significant tenant design initiatives. Project Management & Coordination Manage an assigned portfolio of tenant design projects from initial review through store opening. Track design submissions, approvals, outstanding comments, and critical project milestones. Participate in tenant meetings and communicate design expectations clearly and professionally. Partner with Leasing and Asset Management teams to support leasing objectives through thoughtful and elevated design solutions. Collaborate with Tenant Coordination to ensure approved design concepts transition successfully into construction documentation and execution. Partner with Operations and center teams as projects progress toward construction completion and opening. Design Excellence & Innovation Promote and uphold a high standard of retail design across assigned projects. Research emerging retail, hospitality, food & beverage, merchandising, material, and experiential design trends. Develop design studies, concept renderings, presentations, and recommendations that support strategic decision-making. Assist in coordinating design strategies across multiple assets and regions. Identify opportunities to enhance storefront visibility, tenant branding, customer engagement, and overall design quality. Support sustainability initiatives and innovative design solutions that align with URW's Better Places objectives. Store Opening & Quality Assurance Participate in construction site walks, punch walks, and store opening reviews. Evaluate completed tenant work against approved design intent and landlord requirements. Identify design deviations and collaborate with Retail Design Management and Tenant Coordination teams to achieve resolution. Document lessons learned and contribute to the ongoing enhancement of design standards and approval processes. Demonstrated Skills & Competencies Strong design judgment and understanding of retail, restaurant, and mixed-use environments. Working knowledge of architectural documentation, storefront systems, signage, lighting, materials, and customer experience design. Ability to clearly articulate the rationale behind design decisions and recommendations. Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously. Ability to prioritize effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable collaborating with tenants, architects, consultants, Leasing, Construction, Operations, and cross-functional partners. Ability to balance design excellence with commercial objectives and operational considerations. Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Environmental Design, or a related discipline. Professional licensure or certification (Registered Architect, NCIDQ, or equivalent) preferred. Understanding of building codes, accessibility standards, tenant delivery processes, and retail design best practices. Additional education or certifications in Project Management, Sustainability (LEED/WELL), or Real Estate Development are advantageous. Two to four years of professional experience in retail, restaurant, hospitality, mixed-use, or commercial design management. Experience in architectural review, design development, tenant coordination, or project management within a multi-site environment. Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and navigate complex project environments. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, SketchUp and other industry-standard design software. Join an Industry-Leading Team If you've ever wanted to be part of an innovative organization at the forefront of transforming the retail experience, this is your opportunity. At the heart of our culture is PACE . These values unite us, guide our decisions, and shape the future we are building together: Passion – We bring energy, commitment, and enthusiasm to everything we do, always striving to create exceptional experiences. Act as One – We collaborate across teams and disciplines, leveraging our collective strengths to achieve shared success. Curiosity – We embrace innovation, challenge conventional thinking, and continuously seek new ways to improve and grow. Excellence with Impact – We pursue the highest standards while delivering meaningful results that create lasting value for our customers, partners, and communities. We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a collaborative environment, brings positive energy to every challenge, and is eager to grow within a global organization. In return, we offer a dynamic, innovative, and results-driven culture where your contributions are valued, your ideas are encouraged, and your career development is supported. We believe in empowering our people through autonomy, fostering innovation, and harnessing the collective strength of our teams. If you're looking for meaningful work, exciting challenges, exceptional colleagues, and opportunities to make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply and join us on our journey. Compensation This is an exempt-level position. Salary range: $87,000 to $108,000, plus a discretionary annual bonus. Primary Location This position is based on-site at World Trade Center.
