Lead Store Concept Planner

Role Specific Information

Job Description

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

Essential Functions 

The requirements listed below are representative of functions you will be required to perform, however you may be required to perform additional functions. Kohl’s may revise this job description from time to time. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, absent undue hardship.

• Ability to perform the accountabilities listed in the “What You’ll Do” Section

• Ability to maintain prompt and regular attendance as set by the company 

• Ability to work at least 8 hours per day, occasionally longer when necessary to meet business needs, 5 days per week

• Ability to comply with dress code requirements

• Ability to learn and comply with all company policies, procedures, standards and guidelines

• Ability to give direction and receive, understand and proactively respond to direction from leadership and other company personnel

• Ability to work as part of a team and interact effectively and appropriately with others

• Ability to maintain composure and work in a fast paced environment while accomplishing multiple tasks within established timeframes

• Ability to satisfactorily complete company training programs

• Perform work in accordance with the Physical/Cognitive Requirements section

Physical/Cognitive Requirements 

• Ability to use a personal computer for tasks such as communicating, preparing reports, etc.

• Ability to plan, prioritize and monitor activities across business units

• Ability to complete or oversee the completion of assigned projects in a timely manner

• Ability to comply with health and safety standards