POSITION PURPOSE

The position will support the Retail Design Manager through the project management of new doors in the Japan region. 

Interfaces

Regional: Retail Design Team North Asia, local teams Retail Operations, Visual Merchandising, Finance

External: Architects, shopfitters and building consultants

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Design

- Preparation of architectural briefs, specific to projects

- Take a collaborative approach to design, through engaging in conversations around stakeholder comment.

- Embed self within the global design world, by remaining informed on captivating contemporary and historical design precedents and imparting this knowledge to the wider team.

Project Management

- Project manage creative solutions for street and shopping mall retail stores and also department stores in the Japan region

- Project manage creative solutions for specialised projects including office spaces, temporary stores and projects in collaboration with other departments.

- Demonstrate exceptional multi-tasking skills, in order to bring multiple creative solutions to fruition and within expected timeframes.

- Manage the expectations of key stakeholders for each project – including design and commercial expectations.

- Lead project management of stores and special projects that are assigned to an external or Internal Architect.

- Survey prospective locations, providing architectural and construction feedback to Aesop HO and Region Asia and also external Architects when needed.

- Provide Aesop feedback to external Architects through written and visual communication

- Monitor budgets and construction schedules reporting back to North Asia Office 

- Drafting, review and approving of design & construction contracts

- Organise permitting, engineering and all other external services required for building and occupancy permits.

- Conduct internal post-mortem on projects outlining successes and areas of development with regards to all aspects of the project – sharing this with the wider team.

- Liaise with all external consultants and contractors involved on a project – e.g. Lighting consultants, engineers, building surveyors, etc.

- Procure Aesop supplied fixtures and fittings relative to each project

Construction Management

Attend site handover meetings, to ensure that conditions are as per signed Aesop lease agreement 

- Tender out assigned projects to builders and negotiate through the pricing process.

- Review shop drawings and ensure these are as per documentation approved by Aesop

- Responding to RFIs from contractors

- Conduct factory and local site visits to monitor ongoing quality and report progress back to North Asia.

- Accept completed store from external construction team and complete detailed build defects list.

- Lead rectification process of all build defects, ensuring these are completed in a timely manner.

Store Maintenance & Small Works

- Design and document thoughtful and practical small-scope solutions in response to retail and maintenance needs as needed. 

- Work with the Retail Design Specialist in charge of maintenance to implement these works.

Reporting & Communication

- Monitor total CAPEX spend for projects with weekly reporting back to Retail Design Manager

- Monitor timings of projects, ensuring these are running to schedule – reporting back to the Retail Design Manager

Communicating and project progress and outcomes to wider Aesop brand business.

- Manage internal stakeholder expectations with regards to assigned projects.

- Maintain interest and knowledge in the skin care, product and retail industries

Requirements:

- Experience in project management for construction work related into a retail, hospitality, housing related industries

- Ability to use English in a business setting with internal and external stakeholders 

- Ability to travel on site across Japan to verify the advancement of construction / maintenance related work

- Interest in art / architecture / interior design