Description
The company
At Swatch, we thrive on surprise. Whether it’s with our collections, action sports or artistic collaborations, we don’t stay inside the box. We’re here to shake things up with our striking designs, which always reflect the zeitgeist but never fail to catch the eye. That’s what we do best, and that’s what we’ve done since 1983.
Our team is a collective of passionate people, headquartered in Switzerland and present worldwide. We are visionaries and revolutionaries – unwaveringly true to ourselves and unafraid to do things differently. Together, we are here to make the world a little more colorful and exciting by embracing newness and boldness. You might even say that we’re more than just a watch company.
Are you one of us? Join our team.
In order to reinforce the Retail Environment Design team at its Headquarters in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, SWATCH is currently recruiting for a
RETAIL DESIGN PROJECT LEADER 100% (F/M)
Job description
The Retail Design Project Leader has an eye for the unusual and brings ideas adapted to trends, innovation and lifestyle for our Swatch Stores worldwide. You lead projects from design inception and construction management to delivery completion in collaboration with the Head of Retail Design and the different involved departments of our company.
Typical activities include:
• Lead the design and implementation of retail concepts for SWATCH POS in accordance with the brand's corporate identity and global design standards.
• Manage the entire store design lifecycle, from concept development through technical review of supplier and local architect drawings, construction coordination, and project completion, ensuring full compliance with Swatch design guidelines.
• Plan, manage, and control project budgets, including capital expenditure, cost tracking, and financial reporting throughout all project phases until final close-out.
• Negotiate and manage relationships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers to ensure cost-effective and high-quality project execution.
• Independently oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery within established timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Collaborate closely with external stakeholders, including architects, consultants, contractors, landlords, and suppliers, as well as internal departments such as Visual Merchandising, Retail Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales and Logistics.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of external architects, consultants, engineers, and vendors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain clear, effective, and proactive communication with management, providing regular project updates and reporting on key milestones, risks, and opportunities.
• Handle sensitive or complex situations with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Identify, address, and escalate project challenges in a timely and solution-oriented manner.
• Ensure all project documentation is accurate, complete, up to date, and properly maintained in accordance with company standards.
• Validate and benchmark investment proposals prior to project initiation, ensuring alignment between initial estimates and actual costs throughout the development process.
• Monitor project performance continuously and implement corrective actions when necessary to optimize efficiency, quality, and cost control.
Profile
• University Degree in Architecture/Interior design and a min. of 5 years of Retail experience or in related fields or in Project Management
• Min. 5 years professional experience in the Retail field
• Computer skills: Proficiency in CAD (preferably AutoCAD) - Abilities in working with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Package
Professional requirements
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining brand standards.
• Effective communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Financial acumen with experience in budget management and cost control.
Languages
• Fluent in English. French, German, or any additional language is a plus.
