Group Director, Boutique Architecture Operations

Group Director - Boutique Architecture - Operations

At Chanel, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of everyone increases the diversity, complementarity, and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience, and potential you could bring to CHANEL. 

About the role:

CHANEL is looking for a Project Manager to join our Boutique Architecture Team in New York. This role is part of an in-house regional team of professionals that manages the design and construction of CHANEL fashion boutiques in the US. Your immediate task will be to play a leading role in implementing process improvements and tracking the Capex spend for our new and renovated boutiques. Future responsibilities will be managing the workflow of the boutique architecture team and looking for opportunities to streamline the way we work. The Group Director Operations will report to the Head of US Boutique Architecture. Our ideal candidate will have 8+ years of experience in cost estimating, project management, architectural design, construction management or related industry with a passion for architectural construction and the process of creation, project management, and problem solving.  

What impact you can create at CHANEL: 

• Analyze budgets, project spend, vendors and consultants
• Bring rigor and transparency to the bidding and construction process
• Manage large number of projects simultaneously  
• Ensure compliance and quality standards
• Maintain great accuracy of information within current and future data sets 
• Evaluate, evolve, and maintain processes
• Advise on carbon footprints and sustainability
• Elevate Brand Image at point of sale

You are energized by:

• Working in a highly collaborative environment with passionate teammates
• Attention to detail, cost management, project tracking and scheduling
• Navigating complexity and supporting consistent transformation and change 
• Connecting the dots on problems, bringing a keen eye for details and problem perception 
• Process improvement and continuous development in a fast-paced environment
• Reducing environmental impact and lowering operating costs by creating more sustainable and energy efficient buildings 

What you will bring to the team:

• An understanding of architectural design and construction process workflows
• Ability to build and control construction budgets, estimate costs and facilitate future scenario planning
• Strategic thinking to bridge the gap between finance, technical architecture teams and business stakeholders, ensuring design and project goals align with overall company strategy
• A desire to collaborate with internal and external resources 
• You are autonomous, curious, and rigorous.  A self-motivated, diplomatic communicator with excellent interpersonal skills & social fluency.
• Exceptional organization and analytical abilities 
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize projects and deadlines, have adept project management skills, attention to detail
• Fluency in Microsoft Teams, Excel, Smartsheet  
• Experience using project management tools and architectural software (AutoCAD, Sketchup) a plus 

What skills you will learn? What experiences might you have?  

• You will learn to interpret and apply Architectural Designs to various luxury retail environments, from highly experienced Architectural experts  
• You will encourage collaboration to help build a highly organized workgroup   
• Build CAPEX budgets based on historical project information within projected design parameters
• Design and implement process workflows, standard operating procedures and manage key performance indicators
• Manage financial and contractual aspects of our construction projects, ensuring they are completed within budget and offer value for money.  Responsibilities Include project cost tracking, budgeting and estimating, and value-engineering initiatives
• Compile US Boutique Architecture team needs and evolve briefing process. Ensure US design brief has been completed accurately by field, business, corporate teams and that documentation and project request information is submitted to design architect  
• Partner with the US Boutique Architecture team to ensure store designs are aligned with the needs of the Global Boutique Architecture Team and the US business teams  
• Create process documents, schedules, and a responsibility overview for the various projects,