Creative Design Manager - Prestige Visual Merchandising & Store Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Creative Design Manager - Prestige Visual Merchandising & Store Design

Company: Coty

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Contract, Temporary

Category: Retail Design & Visual Merchandising

Date Posted: 2026-09-25

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative and technical design of visual merchandising and store environments for Coty's prestige beauty brands.

• Translate global brand visions into precise, buildable, and commercially impactful retail touchpoints that enhance the customer journey.

• Develop detailed technical drawings, fixture specifications, 3D visualizations, and supplier-ready documentation for retail spaces.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams (VM, Marketing, Sales, Procurement) and external partners (agencies, suppliers, retailers).

• Ensure premium execution and brand consistency across all permanent and temporary retail touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract position for 12 months, emphasizing a strong technical design capability alongside creative vision. The focus on "Prestige Visual Merchandising & Store Design" indicates a need for understanding luxury brand aesthetics and customer experience within the beauty sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Adapt global creative direction into locally relevant Visual Merchandising (VM) and retail design solutions for the UK market.

• Design and develop concepts for permanent and temporary retail environments, including counters, shop-in-shops, pop-ups, and promotional spaces.

• Create detailed technical drawing packs, elevations, fixture details, material specifications, and lighting references for manufacturing.

• Produce high-quality 3D renderings and visualizations to effectively communicate design intent, scale, and in-store impact.

• Review supplier drawings, prototypes, and samples to ensure dimensional accuracy, buildability, material quality, and design integrity.

• Apply strong technical judgment to resolve construction, fixture engineering, installation, and production challenges.

• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising, Store Design, Marketing, Sales, Procurement, Supply Chain, external agencies, suppliers, and retail partners.

• Recommend appropriate materials, finishes, and production techniques to achieve premium execution and long-lasting quality.

• Act as a guardian of brand standards, ensuring all retail executions are visually strong and technically sound.

• Balance creative aesthetics with functionality, operational needs, sustainability objectives, and value engineering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative conceptualization and rigorous technical execution, requiring a candidate who can bridge the gap between artistic vision and practical manufacturing requirements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not specified, but a degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or a related field is typically expected for this level of technical design role.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in Visual Merchandising Design, Store Design, or Retail Design, with a strong emphasis on technical design and execution. Experience within luxury beauty, premium retail, or luxury fashion environments is essential.

Required Skills:

• Strong creative design capability with excellent spatial planning skills.

• Clear understanding of retail construction principles and luxury retail environments.

• Proven experience in designing both permanent and temporary retail spaces from concept to production-ready detail.

• Strong technical design proficiency, including creating supplier-ready drawing packs, fixture details, elevations, and material schedules.

• Good understanding of fixture construction, materials, finishes, lighting, production methods, and installation requirements.

• Ability to critically review supplier drawings, prototypes, and samples for accuracy, quality, feasibility, and brand consistency.

• Strong knowledge of customer journey principles and luxury retail experiences.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple technical workstreams and priorities simultaneously. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with value engineering and sustainability objectives in retail design.

• Familiarity with material sourcing and supplier management within the luxury goods sector.

• Knowledge of emerging retail technologies and digital VM tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on technical documentation and supplier readiness suggests that candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing detailed technical drawings and manufacturing specifications will be highly favored.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects demonstrating end-to-end retail design, from concept to technical execution.

• Include examples of detailed technical drawings, including floor plans, elevations, fixture details, and construction notes.

• Present high-quality 3D renderings or visualizations that clearly articulate design intent and spatial experience.

• Provide examples of supplier-ready design documentation or technical packs used for manufacturing.

• Highlight projects within the luxury beauty, premium retail, or fashion sectors to demonstrate relevant experience.

• Include case studies or descriptions that detail the design process, material selection rationale, and problem-solving approach. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in developing and documenting design processes for retail environments.

• Illustrate how you translate global brand guidelines into specific, actionable design briefs for local markets.

• Showcase methods for collaborating with cross-functional teams and external suppliers to ensure design feasibility and adherence to brand standards.

• Provide examples of how you manage design revisions, feedback loops, and quality control throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, as it will serve as direct evidence of technical design capability and understanding of the production lifecycle for retail fixtures and environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the London location, experience level (5-10 years), and the specialized nature of luxury retail design with technical requirements, a competitive salary range for a 12-month contract would typically fall between £55,000 - £75,000 per annum pro-rata. This estimate considers the cost of living in London and industry benchmarks for contract design roles.

Benefits:

• Private medical insurance with fast access to specialists and mental health support.

• 8% pension fully contributed by Coty.

• Life assurance and income protection for peace of mind.

• Flexible hybrid working with Coty's Omni-Working model (up to 50% remote).

• Generous family-friendly policies including enhanced parental leave, birthday leave, volunteering days, and sabbatical options.

• Everyday perks including employee discounts and salary sacrifice schemes.

• Opportunities to engage in DE&I, sustainability, and employee-led initiatives.

Working Hours: A standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours, with a hybrid arrangement requiring 2-3 days per week in the Wimbledon office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is estimated for a contract role and will be pro-rated for the 12-month duration. The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects Coty's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Luxury Beauty and Cosmetics. Coty is a global leader with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skincare.

Company Size: Coty is a large, publicly traded company with a significant global presence, employing thousands of individuals worldwide.

Founded: Coty was founded in 1904, bringing over a century of experience in the beauty industry.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Retail Design & Visual Merchandising team, specifically focused on the Prestige Division.

• This team likely collaborates closely with global and regional brand teams, marketing departments, and store operations.

• The reporting structure will likely involve a manager overseeing VM and Store Design for the Prestige portfolio. Methodology:

• Coty emphasizes translating global brand vision into locally relevant and commercially effective retail experiences.

• A data-driven approach is implied, focusing on customer journey optimization and commercial performance.

• The company values creativity, technical rigor, and premium execution in all brand touchpoints.

Company Website: https://www.coty.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for Coty offers the opportunity to contribute to globally recognized luxury brands, demanding a high standard of aesthetic and technical execution. The "Prestige Division" focus suggests an environment that values sophistication and premium quality.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level position, requiring significant technical expertise and independent project management. It's a "Manager" level role focused on specific design execution and technical detailing within the VM and Store Design function.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Design Manager will report to a higher-level manager within the Retail Design & Visual Merchandising department, likely a Head of VM or Senior Director. They will also collaborate heavily with brand managers and project leads.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts brand perception, customer experience, and commercial performance by creating compelling and functional in-store environments. Successful designs contribute to increased foot traffic, dwell time, and sales conversion for Coty's prestige brands.

Growth Opportunities:

• Visual Merchandising & Retail Design Career Progression: Potential to advance to Senior Creative Design Manager, Head of Visual Merchandising & Store Design, or broader Retail Experience leadership roles, managing larger portfolios or strategic projects.

• Local and International Opportunities: Coty has offices globally (New York, Amsterdam, Paris, etc.), offering potential for international exposure or relocation within VM, Retail Design, or Brand Experience teams.

• Cross-Functional Career Pathways: Opportunity to move into related fields such as consumer experience, retail strategy, innovation, sustainability, or project management.

• Develop Future-Ready Skills: Gain experience with emerging retail technologies, digital VM tools, AI-driven workflows, and data analytics for retail insights, as well as strengthening skills in sustainability and omnichannel retail.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a 12-month contract, Coty's emphasis on career acceleration suggests that strong performers may be considered for future permanent roles or other contract opportunities within the organization. The outlined growth paths are typical for large consumer goods companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Wimbledon, London, with a hybrid working model, meaning a mix of office-based and remote work. The office environment is likely collaborative, designed to facilitate teamwork and creative brainstorming.

Office Location(s): Wimbledon, London (SW19 4DR). This location provides access to transport links and amenities typical of a London business district.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a dynamic environment where collaboration with VM specialists, marketers, and brand managers is common.

• Access to design software and potentially 3D modeling tools will be standard.

• The office space will likely support creative presentations and project reviews.

• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions in the office.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility inherent in the hybrid model, allowing for efficient time management between office-based collaboration and remote focused work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requires self-discipline and strong communication skills to maintain seamless collaboration with colleagues and external partners, regardless of location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on technical design capabilities, project execution, and luxury brand understanding. Expect questions on CAD proficiency, construction knowledge, and problem-solving.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into experience, creative approach, collaboration style, and understanding of Coty's brands.

• Cross-Functional Interview (Potential): May involve meeting with stakeholders from marketing, brand, or procurement to assess collaboration and communication skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your technical drawing skills, 3D visualization capabilities, and experience with luxury retail environments. Prioritize projects with detailed technical documentation.

• Tell a Story: For each project, walk through the brief, your creative process, technical challenges encountered, solutions implemented, and the final outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., impact on customer flow, brand perception).

• Highlight Technical Detail: Emphasize your ability to produce precise, supplier-ready documentation. Show examples of fixture details, material call-outs, and construction notes.

• Showcase Software Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your use of AutoCAD, SketchUp, SolidWorks, and Adobe Suite, and how these tools aided your design process.

• Address Brand Alignment: Clearly articulate how your designs reflect the luxury ethos of Coty's prestige brands.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a technical design challenge or a case study where you might need to develop a concept or technical solution for a specific retail scenario.

• Practice articulating design decisions clearly and concisely, focusing on both aesthetic and functional/technical aspects.

• Prepare to discuss your understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and value engineering in the context of retail design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize your technical acumen and ability to translate creative concepts into manufacturable designs. Your portfolio is your primary tool for demonstrating this.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: AutoCAD (essential for technical drawings), SketchUp (for 3D conceptualization), SolidWorks (for detailed 3D modeling and fixture engineering).

• 3D Visualization: Proficiency in rendering engines associated with SketchUp or SolidWorks, or standalone tools like V-Ray, Lumion, or Twinmotion.

• Graphic Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop for image manipulation and mood boards, Illustrator for vector graphics and icons, InDesign for presentation layouts).

• Project Management: Microsoft Office Suite (Word for documentation, Excel for specifications and budgeting, PowerPoint for presentations). Familiarity with project management software like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how design impacts sales, customer flow, and brand perception is key. Familiarity with retail analytics dashboards or reporting tools that track store performance could be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how store designs integrate with broader retail operations and CRM strategies might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and SolidWorks is explicitly required. The ability to create high-fidelity 3D visualizations and professional presentation decks using Adobe Creative Suite is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Driving fresh, engaging, and brand-aligned retail experiences.

• Technical Excellence: Commitment to precision, buildability, and high-quality execution in all designs.

• Brand Stewardship: Deep respect for brand DNA and ensuring consistent, premium representation across all touchpoints.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse internal and external teams to achieve shared goals.

• Customer Centricity: Designing with the luxury consumer's journey and experience at the forefront.

• Efficiency & Pragmatism: Balancing creative ambition with operational feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with VM, Marketing, Sales, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams.

• Effective communication with external agencies and manufacturing suppliers is paramount to ensure design intent is realized.

• A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to share knowledge and feedback within the team are valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Coty's emphasis on "Prestige" suggests a culture that values meticulous attention to detail, sophisticated aesthetics, and a results-oriented approach to brand building through physical retail spaces.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Vision with Local Execution: Adapting high-level global brand directives into precise, manufacturable designs that resonate with local market nuances and regulations.

• Technical Rigor under Creative Pressure: Ensuring designs are not only aesthetically appealing but also technically sound, cost-effective, and feasible for production and installation within tight timelines.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Navigating diverse opinions and requirements from brand teams, marketing, sales, and retail partners, while maintaining design integrity.

• Supplier Collaboration & Quality Control: Ensuring suppliers accurately interpret and execute designs, managing prototypes, and maintaining high-quality standards.

• Value Engineering vs. Brand Integrity: Finding cost-saving measures without compromising the luxury feel and brand standards of the prestige portfolio.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Technical Expertise: Further hone skills in advanced CAD, 3D modeling, and manufacturing process understanding specific to retail fixtures.

• Brand Immersion: Gain in-depth knowledge of Coty's diverse prestige beauty brands, understanding their unique visual identities and target audiences.

• Project Management Skills: Enhance capabilities in managing complex, multi-stakeholder retail design projects from inception to completion.

• Sustainability in Design: Learn and apply sustainable materials and manufacturing practices in retail environments.

• Exposure to Global Best Practices: Understand international retail design trends and standards through collaboration with global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This contract role offers a significant opportunity to tackle complex technical design challenges within the luxury beauty sector, providing valuable experience for future career growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate a global brand concept into a locally relevant retail design. What were the key considerations?"

• "Walk us through your process for creating a technical drawing pack for a retail fixture. What are the critical elements?"

• "How do you ensure your designs are both aesthetically impactful for a luxury brand and technically feasible for manufacturing within budget?"

• "Describe a challenging situation where you had to resolve a design or production issue with a supplier. How did you approach it?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Coty and our portfolio of prestige beauty brands?"

• "How do you stay updated on luxury retail design trends and innovations?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and how you maintain collaboration and productivity."

• "What does 'premium execution' mean to you in the context of visual merchandising?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Technical Detail: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your technical drawings, fixture details, and supplier-ready documentation. Explain the rationale behind your material choices and construction methods.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, present data or qualitative feedback on how your designs have performed in terms of customer engagement, sales, or brand perception.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Highlight instances where you overcame technical challenges or value-engineered a design without sacrificing quality or brand integrity.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Ensure your presentation is well-structured, easy to follow, and respects the allocated time. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your design choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to demonstrate not just creative flair but a robust understanding of the practicalities of retail design and manufacturing, especially for high-end products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Creative Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the Coty careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in visual merchandising, store design, technical drawing, 3D visualization, and work within the luxury beauty or premium retail sectors. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio that prominently features detailed technical drawings, 3D renderings, and examples of supplier-ready documentation for retail projects, especially those in luxury environments.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your technical design process, problem-solving skills, and understanding of luxury brand execution.

• Research Coty: Familiarize yourself with Coty's brand portfolio, particularly their prestige beauty brands, and understand their current retail presence and brand messaging.

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