Concept Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Concept Design Manager

Company: Ulta Beauty, Inc.

Location: Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Retail Operations & Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-03T20:30:00

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the end-to-end design development for new visual merchandising concepts, encompassing retail fixtures, displays, and store environments.

• Visualize and conceptualize innovative fixture and environmental designs using advanced 3D modeling and rendering software to enhance the customer experience.

• Translate creative visions and business requirements into tangible design concepts, ensuring form, scale, materiality, and functionality are optimized.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Store Design & Engineering Operations, Merchandising, Creative, and Marketing to ensure seamless integration and execution of design initiatives.

• Drive the transition of fully developed concepts to peer teams and international markets, maintaining design integrity and execution clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Concept Design Manager," the description heavily emphasizes visual merchandising and retail environment design. The role involves significant collaboration with "Store Design & Engineering Operations," suggesting a strong connection to the operational execution of design concepts. This role sits at the intersection of creative design and operational feasibility, requiring a candidate who can bridge these two critical areas. The mention of "international markets" and "promotional activations" indicates a broad scope beyond typical store design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design development process for all net-new Visual Merchandising initiatives, from initial ideation through to final concept approval.

• Create compelling visualizations of fixtures, displays, and environments using industry-standard 3D modeling and rendering tools (e.g., SketchUp, Rhino, Vectorworks, Revit), adapting detail level to project needs.

• Translate creative direction and business objectives into detailed design concepts, considering materials, fabrication feasibility, construction methods, and overall customer experience impact.

• Ensure clear communication of design intent, key details, and execution requirements when handing off concepts to engineering, production, and retail operations teams, both domestically and internationally.

• Develop and deliver impactful design presentations to leadership, effectively summarizing complex design strategies, development progress, and actionable recommendations.

• Proactively engage with Store Design & Engineering Operations to inform them of new projects, their progression, and potential operational impacts, identifying and prioritizing process improvements for enhanced collaboration.

• Champion the Visual Merchandising perspective in cross-functional discussions, making informed recommendations to achieve optimal design outcomes.

• Conduct market research on emerging design trends to inspire and develop innovative fixture concepts that maximize in-store visual appeal and guest engagement.

• Collaborate with supplier partners and industry peers to advance sustainability initiatives within store design, material selection, and production processes.

• Build and maintain a library of materials, inspirational imagery, and customer experience examples to inform future forward-thinking store designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design, technical visualization, and cross-functional operational coordination. The emphasis on "translating creative ideas and business needs into clear, compelling design concepts" and ensuring these concepts "can translate effectively through engineering, production, and ultimately in-store execution" underscores the need for a candidate with a strong understanding of operational constraints and possibilities in a retail environment. The specific mention of working with "SD&E Ops" points to a need for process orientation and a focus on mitigating "duplicative touch points."

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or certification in Industrial Design, Architecture, Environmental Design, or a closely related field. Experience:

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in design and/or engineering, with a strong preference for experience within the retail sector.

• Proven track record of developing and visualizing retail fixtures, displays, and environments.

• Hands-on fabrication experience is considered a significant advantage. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in 3D modeling and rendering software, including but not limited to SketchUp, Rhino, Vectorworks, Revit, or comparable platforms.

• Deep understanding of design principles, materials, construction methods, and retail fixture development processes.

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities autonomously.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, make sound decisions, and influence cross-functional partners at all organizational levels.

• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts and strategies clearly and concisely. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in international market design adaptation and rollout.

• Knowledge of sustainability best practices in design and material selection.

• Familiarity with retail operations and the practicalities of in-store execution.

• Ability to ideate and sketch concepts rapidly by hand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8-10 years, coupled with a degree in a design or architecture-related field, positions this as a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on advanced 3D modeling and rendering software suggests a need for technical expertise that goes beyond conceptualization, requiring the ability to produce detailed, presentation-ready visuals. The requirement to "influence cross-functional partners at all levels" and "navigate ambiguity" points to a need for strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills crucial in operations and project management contexts.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of visual merchandising and retail design principles.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end development of retail fixtures, displays, or store environments from ideation to execution.

• Visualizations that clearly articulate form, scale, materiality, functionality, and customer experience impact.

• Examples of 3D modeling and rendering work using industry-standard software.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., operations, merchandising, creative) in the design process.

• Documentation of how design concepts were translated for engineering, production, and in-store implementation. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design briefs were developed and translated into design concepts.

• Demonstrations of how design intent was communicated to manufacturing partners or other workstreams.

• Evidence of incorporating feedback and iterating on designs based on operational feasibility or stakeholder input.

• Documentation of how sustainability considerations were integrated into design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on design development with a strong operational component, the portfolio is critical. It needs to demonstrate not just aesthetic and conceptual design skills but also the ability to translate those concepts into practical, executable plans. The inclusion of "process improvements that facilitate collaboration" suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss how they streamline design-to-operations handoffs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $77,600.00 - $107,000.00 / Year

Benefits:

• Eligible associates can earn additional compensation through the Company’s bonus plan.

• Full-time positions are eligible for:

  • Paid time off
  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Disability benefits

• Part-time positions are eligible for:

  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Disability benefits

• Access to a comprehensive benefits portal: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $77,600.00 - $107,000.00 per year is a strong indicator for a Concept Design Manager role with 8-10 years of experience in the Bolingbrook, Illinois area. This range aligns with industry benchmarks for similar positions in major metropolitan areas, considering the cost of living and the specialized skill set required. The inclusion of a bonus plan and comprehensive benefits package is standard for full-time roles in large retail organizations. The note about hybrid work suggests flexibility may be available for certain days.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Beauty Retail

Company Size: Ulta Beauty operates over 1,400 stores across the U.S., indicating a large, established retail enterprise with significant operational scale. This size suggests complex internal processes and a need for robust operational management.

Founded: Ulta Beauty was founded with a vision to bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty, establishing itself as the largest North American beauty retailer. This history implies a company culture focused on innovation, customer experience, and growth.

Team Structure:

• The Concept Design Manager reports to the Sr. Manager, Concept Development, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the design and development team.

• Close collaboration is expected with Store Design & Engineering Operations, Merchandising, Creative, and Marketing teams, highlighting a matrixed and cross-functional operational environment.

• The role also interacts with international markets, suggesting a global operational reach and the need to adapt designs for diverse markets. Methodology:

• The role requires translating creative ideas and business needs into actionable design concepts, emphasizing a blend of strategic thinking and practical execution.

• A focus on "operational excellence" and "innovation" suggests a culture that values efficiency, continuous improvement, and embracing new ideas.

• The company's commitment to "reimagination" and "heightened guest experiences" points to a customer-centric approach embedded in their operational strategy.

Company Website: https://careers.ulta.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Ulta Beauty's positioning as the "largest North American beauty retailer" and its emphasis on "revolutionizing the beauty retail experience" suggest a dynamic and ambitious operational environment. The company's commitment to "innovation," "bold commitment to reimagination," and "heightened guest experiences" points to a culture that supports strategic initiatives and data-driven decision-making within its operational framework. The mention of "new stores coming online on a continual basis and the re-engineering of existing locations" indicates a constant state of operational evolution and project-based work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level individual contributor role, falling within the mid-to-late career stages for design professionals. It requires significant experience and the ability to lead complex design projects with a strong operational component.

Reporting Structure: The Concept Design Manager reports to the Sr. Manager, Concept Development, and works closely with various cross-functional departments, including Store Design & Engineering Operations. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while fostering broad exposure to different operational facets of the business.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the customer experience and brand perception through the design of in-store environments and visual merchandising. Successful concept development and execution can lead to increased customer engagement, brand loyalty, and ultimately, sales performance, demonstrating a clear link between design strategy and operational outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of retail design, visual merchandising, or sustainable design practices.

• Leadership: Advance into senior management roles within the Concept Development or Store Design & Engineering Operations teams, potentially leading larger projects or teams.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into roles within Merchandising, Creative, or broader Retail Operations, leveraging design expertise in different strategic capacities.

• International Exposure: Gain experience managing design rollouts in diverse international markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within Ulta Beauty's large operational structure. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and the direct impact on customer experience suggests opportunities to develop strong business acumen alongside design expertise. The mention of "taking ownership of your career trajectory" implies a supportive environment for professional development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "Hybrid," indicating a mix of in-office work and remote flexibility. This setup is common for roles requiring both focused individual work and collaborative team interaction.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Bolingbrook, Illinois, at 1000 Remington Blvd. This location likely serves as a hub for design, operations, and corporate functions.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work, such as 3D modeling and design development, potentially from a home office.

• In-office days will likely involve significant collaboration with internal teams, including Store Design & Engineering Operations, Creative, and Merchandising, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

• Access to necessary design software and potentially physical resources for concept development would be available in the office.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the hybrid nature and the demands of project-based work may offer some flexibility in managing hours, especially around deadlines. The focus is on delivering results and meeting project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Hybrid" work arrangement is a key detail for operations professionals who value flexibility. It suggests a modern work environment that balances individual productivity with team synergy. The specific location in Bolingbrook, Illinois, places the role within a significant corporate hub, likely offering good connectivity and access to resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience alignment.

• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to present a design concept or solve a visual merchandising challenge, demonstrating their design thinking, visualization skills, and ability to articulate their process. This often involves a presentation to a panel.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Store Design & Engineering Operations, Merchandising, Creative, and potentially leadership to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and understanding of operational integration.

• Leadership Interview: A final discussion with the Sr. Manager, Concept Development, or other senior leaders to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly illustrate your design process, from initial brief interpretation and ideation to concept development, visualization, and consideration of production/execution.

• Highlight Operations Integration: Include examples where you've considered materials, fabrication, construction, and in-store operational constraints, demonstrating an understanding of feasibility.

• Emphasize Visualization Skills: Ensure your portfolio includes high-quality 3D renderings and sketches that effectively communicate your design intent and the customer experience.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any past projects had measurable outcomes related to customer engagement, sales, or operational efficiency, highlight these.

• Tailor to Ulta: Research Ulta Beauty's brand aesthetic, store formats, and current visual merchandising strategies to tailor your presentation and highlight relevant experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any case study or design challenge prompt, identifying key objectives and constraints.

• Think Operationally: Consider how your design would be implemented in a retail setting, including cost, materials, assembly, and maintenance.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your concepts clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your design choices and their operational implications.

• Be Prepared for Software Questions: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with specific 3D modeling and rendering software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a role like this will heavily weigh the portfolio. Candidates should be prepared to not only show their design work but also to articulate the "why" behind their design decisions, especially concerning operational feasibility and customer experience. The inclusion of "Store Design & Engineering Operations" in interviews emphasizes the need for a candidate who can bridge creative vision with practical execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 3D Modeling & Rendering Software: Advanced proficiency required in platforms such as SketchUp, Rhino, Vectorworks, Revit, or comparable industry-standard tools. Candidates should be able to produce detailed visualizations from quick sketches to presentation-quality renderings.

• Design Software: Familiarity with 2D design tools for concept development and presentation creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, the ability to interpret data related to customer behavior, retail performance, and market trends may be beneficial for informing design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but an understanding of how design concepts integrate with retail operations and customer journey mapping would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement revolves around advanced 3D modeling and rendering software. Proficiency in tools like SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit is non-negotiable. The ability to adapt visualization to different project needs (from "rapid live ideation" to "fully developed, presentation-quality renderings") is a key technical skill.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on elevating the customer experience through thoughtful and engaging store environments and visual merchandising.

• Innovation & Reimagination: A culture that encourages new ideas, creative problem-solving, and continuous improvement in design and retail execution.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasis on working effectively with diverse cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals and ensure seamless integration of design into operations.

• Operational Excellence: A commitment to practicality, efficiency, and quality in design development and implementation, ensuring concepts are feasible and impactful.

• Sustainability: Growing importance placed on environmentally conscious design choices and material selection.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Proactive engagement with teams like Store Design & Engineering Operations, Merchandising, and Creative to ensure design intent is understood and executed.

• Design Advocacy: Effectively communicating and championing the visual merchandising perspective to influence decisions and achieve the best design outcomes.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: Openness to feedback from various stakeholders, including operational teams and international partners, to refine designs and ensure successful implementation.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the development of design libraries and best practices that benefit the broader team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ulta Beauty's stated values of "innovation," "bold commitment to reimagination," and "heightened guest experiences" directly translate into the expected culture for this role. Professionals in this position should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment that prioritizes both creative vision and practical operational execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Constraints: Developing innovative designs that are also cost-effective, manufacturable, and executable within existing retail operations and store formats.

• Global Adaptation: Adapting core design concepts for diverse international markets with varying regulations, customer preferences, and logistical challenges.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and seamless integration of design concepts across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously researching and incorporating emerging design and retail trends while maintaining brand consistency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific 3D modeling and rendering platforms.

• Retail Operations Immersion: Gaining a deeper understanding of store operations, merchandising strategies, and the challenges faced by front-line teams.

• Sustainability in Design: Developing expertise in sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, and eco-friendly retail design practices.

• Project Leadership: Taking on larger, more complex projects with increased strategic responsibility and potential for team leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge lies in the intricate balance between creative aspiration and operational reality. Candidates who can demonstrate a history of successfully navigating these trade-offs, particularly in a large retail setting, will be highly valued. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering a clear path for career advancement within the design and operations functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a highly creative design concept with significant operational or budget constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, compromise, and operational awareness.)

• "How do you ensure your design concepts are effectively communicated and executed by teams in different regions or departments, particularly those focused on operations and production?" (Focus on communication clarity, process documentation, and stakeholder management.)

• "Walk us through a visual merchandising concept you developed from ideation to presentation. What were the key considerations, and how did you visualize it?" (Focus on design process, visualization skills, and strategic thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Ulta Beauty's approach to retail design and customer experience?" (Research Ulta's brand, recent store designs, and strategic initiatives.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to Ulta Beauty's mission of 'bringing possibilities to life through the power of beauty'?" (Connect your design philosophy to the company's purpose.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or fast-paced retail environment. How do you manage your workload and collaborate effectively?" (Highlight adaptability, time management, and teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the initial brief or problem, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the final outcome or impact.

• Highlight Operational Considerations: Explicitly mention how you factored in materials, construction, cost, and in-store execution. Use visuals that demonstrate these aspects.

• Demonstrate Software Proficiency: Be prepared to briefly discuss your use of 3D modeling and rendering tools and showcase the quality of your output.

• Focus on Customer Experience: Explain how your designs enhance the customer journey and brand perception.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, alternative solutions, and how you handle feedback or challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should strongly focus on demonstrating the ability to translate creative ideas into actionable, operationally sound plans. Candidates should be ready to discuss their process, software skills, and how they collaborate with operational teams. The portfolio is the primary tool for showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Concept Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Ulta Beauty careers portal: https://careers.ulta.com/careers/jobs/524877

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most relevant projects that showcase your visual merchandising, retail design, and 3D visualization skills. Prioritize projects that demonstrate consideration for operational feasibility and customer experience.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with specific 3D modeling/rendering software (SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, etc.), retail design projects, cross-functional collaboration, and any experience with international rollouts or sustainability initiatives. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on your design process, key decisions, visualization techniques, and how you addressed operational requirements. Be ready to discuss challenges and solutions.

• Research Ulta Beauty: Familiarize yourself with Ulta's brand, store formats, recent campaigns, and their overall approach to customer experience and retail innovation. Understand their operational scale and commitment to growth.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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