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Senior Lead - Retail Design Concepts

Location: Zurich

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In short

The Lead Retail Architect plays a key global role in translating retail design concepts into scalable, executable architectural solutions across all channels. Reporting to the Senior Lead of Retail Design Concepts, this role bridges creative intent and regional implementation by defining spatial frameworks, technical guidelines, and design standards that ensure consistency, feasibility, and premium brand expression at global scale. The Lead Retail Architect role will report to the Senior Lead of Retail Design Concepts on the Retail Design team supporting global DTC, B2B, and showroom environments.

Your Mission

  • Translate global retail design concepts into robust architectural frameworks, layouts, and technical standards across all channels
  • Create and own design briefs for new retail concepts and initiatives, aligning spatial direction with evolving brand priorities, product strategies, and business objectives
  • Own spatial planning, zoning principles, and architectural guidelines to ensure consistency and scalability across regions
  • Develop and maintain design documentation, toolkits, and implementation guides for internal and external partners
  • Partner closely with Construction, Real Estate, Retail Operations, and regional teams to ensure feasibility, cost efficiency, and executional excellence
  • Lead testing, prototyping, and validation of new store formats, fixtures, and materials against design intent and budget requirements
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    Your story

    • Degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or a related field
    • Strong experience in retail architecture or spatial design across multiple formats and regions
    • Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Archicad, SketchUp, and 3D rendering tools such as Enscape or V-Ray
    • Proven ability to translate creative concepts into clear, buildable architectural solutions
    • Experience developing design standards, technical guidelines, and implementation documentation
    • Confident communicator with the ability to collaborate across creative, technical, and operational teams

    Attributes of a successful candidate:

    • Strategic Thinking: Connects design decisions to brand, business, and operational impact
    • Executional Excellence: Translates vision into clear, precise, and build-ready outputs
    • Collaboration & Influence: Builds alignment across diverse stakeholders and regions
    • Structured Problem Solving: Breaks down complexity into clear frameworks and actions
    • Ownership Mindset: Takes accountability for architectural quality from concept through rollout
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    About the Team

    The Retail Design team defines how the brand comes to life across physical environments worldwide. Working across strategy, concept design, architecture, and implementation, the team partners closely with Brand, Product, Retail Operations, and Construction to deliver premium, consistent, and scalable retail experiences across all regions and channels.

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    What we offer

    On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

    On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

    Build the better you

    What to expect

    We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

    Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

    Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.