Store Planning Project Manager

Description

The Store Planning Project Manager, a pivotal corporate role based at our HQ in Milan and reporting to the Store Planning Senior Manager, is strategically responsible for coordinating the end-to-end execution of all store planning projects across the Americas region. This is not a local PM role, but a central position requiring a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented professional capable of managing complex projects, navigating different time zones, local regulations, and cultural contexts from a central oversight perspective. While primarily based in Milan, the position requires targeted on-site visits to project locations in the Americas during key phases of execution, primarily for strategic alignment, quality assurance, and critical problem-solving.

The Project Manager provides centralized oversight across the full project lifecycle, ensuring global alignment with established HQ store concepts, brand standards, and aesthetic objectives from initial layout development through design review, technical coordination, execution, and final punch list closure. This role is crucial for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, always adhering to local regulations and regional requirements across the Americas market. Acting as a primary liaison and coordinator between various HQ departments — including Retail, Wholesale, Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Finance, Legal, and IT & Security — and the local Americas teams, the Project Manager coordinates all project stakeholders to guarantee smooth execution and effective communication throughout all phases. This includes the centralized selection, onboarding, and management of external consultants and suppliers (architects, engineers, general contractors, direct vendors), alongside overseeing procurement, administration, and logistics activities from an HQ vantage point to ensure full project support. In addition, the Project Manager proactively identifies and resolves potential issues, monitors project risks and variations, and escalates key decisions or change requests to the Senior Manager when required. The position plays a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards from inception through final handover, maintaining strong connectivity between our Milan HQ and our Americas operations.

Les missions

• Manage the full lifecycle of retail projects, including new openings, expansions, renovations, relocations, and maintenance initiatives.
• Conduct and coordinate site due diligence activities, evaluating locations, defining preliminary budgets and timelines, and proactively identifying project risks and regional constraints.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor detailed project schedules and critical paths, implementing mitigation actions to ensure on-time and on-budget project delivery.
• Oversee design development phases in collaboration with designers and the local team, ensuring layouts and architectural solutions align with brand standards, commercial objectives, and local market requirements.
• Review architectural, technical, and consultant drawings/submittals to ensure compliance with approved concepts, project specifications, local regulations, and building codes.
• Prepare and maintain CAPEX trackers, cost reports, and financial updates, ensuring accurate budget control and expenditure monitoring throughout all project phases.
• Coordinate procurement activities and oversee the timely placement and tracking of vendor orders, including international shipments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local import requirements.
• Support tendering and bid management processes for consultants and contractors, including RFIs, bid analysis, clarifications, documentation review, and contractor selection recommendations.
• Coordinate general contractors, millwork vendors, consultants, and external partners throughout all project stages, ensuring alignment on scope, timing, quality, and deliverables.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project briefs, meeting minutes, risk and change logs, technical documentation, and drawing archives, ensuring proper filing and version control.
• Monitor project progress and proactively resolve issues, deviations, and cross-functional challenges arising during execution.
• Conduct site visits during key construction phases across the Americas, preparing detailed progress reports and ensuring compliance with project standards and local regulations.
• Act as the primary liaison between HQ departments and the local team, facilitating effective communication, operational alignment, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support the Senior Project Manager in the development of strategic project plans, budgets, and execution strategies, particularly for complex initiatives and new market entries.

Profil

Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent professional experience. Minimum 3 years of experience in store planning, retail construction, or project management, preferably within the luxury retail industry. Experience managing projects across the Americas is considered a strong plus. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously. Proactive and solution-oriented mindset, with strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to anticipate and effectively address project challenges. Strong architectural and design sensibility, with a keen eye for aesthetics, detail, and alignment with brand identity and luxury standards. Solid experience in budget planning, cost monitoring, and financial reporting, with a rigorous approach to expenditure control. Ability to make timely and well-balanced decisions while managing design expectations, budget constraints, project timelines, and operational priorities. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multicultural teams and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. High level of adaptability and flexibility, comfortable working across different markets, regulations, cultural contexts, and time zones. Strong coordination and leadership capabilities in managing consultants, contractors, suppliers, and cross-functional teams throughout all project phases. Analytical and results-driven approach, with the ability to interpret project data, identify risks, and support strategic decision-making. Detail-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to accuracy and quality across documentation, technical reviews, procurement activities, and reporting. Dynamic and collaborative team player, able to thrive in a fast-paced international environment. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel), AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite, including basic Photoshop Fluent in English, both written and spoken. Additional languages are considered a plus.