Design Director Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Design Directors can secure H-1B visa, O-1 visa, or L-1 visa sponsorship with U.S. employers, particularly in tech, media, and consumer brands. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in design, architecture, or a related field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsWhy You Belong Here
At Victoria’s Secret & Co, you’ll join a world-leading specialty retail brand recognized globally for innovation and excellence in lingerie and fashion. You’ll work alongside industry leaders to set the standard for what a retail brand can achieve, placing customers at the center of everything we do to create products and experiences that bring them joy.
We believe everyone deserves a place where they truly belong. We celebrate individuality and know that your passion, experience, and unique perspective strengthen our team and business. Here, you’ll be empowered to perform, grow, and engage through unmatched opportunities to develop your skills, gain real-world experience, and learn from the best in the business.
Description
The Store Design Director – Domestic Rollout is responsible for leading the successful delivery of all retail store projects across the United States and Canada. This role oversees the rollout of all store formats, including flagship stores, shopping center locations, outlet stores, relocations, remodels, partial refurbishments, and strategic capital projects.
Your Impact
Store Rollout & Project Delivery:
- Lead the design rollout and delivery of all domestic retail projects across the United States and Canada.
- Manage projects across all store formats, including flagship stores, shopping center locations, outlet stores, relocations, remodels, partial refurbishments, and new store openings.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within approved budgets, and in accordance with established tier parameters.
- Balance design quality, operational requirements, program schedules, and commercial objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
- Maintain and continuously improve design standards, templates, libraries, and best practices to promote consistency, efficiency, and knowledge sharing across the Store Design organization.
Design Leadership:
- Translate approved design concepts into technically robust, buildable store designs that respond to individual site conditions while maintaining brand integrity.
- Review store layouts, schematic designs (in house), design development packages, and technical documentation to ensure quality and consistency.
- Present design solutions confidently to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, clearly articulating design rationale, commercial considerations, and project outcomes.
- Apply strong retail design principles while considering customer experience, operational efficiency, cost, and constructability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner closely with Real Estate during site evaluation and lease review to assess opportunities and constraints.
- Collaborate with Construction throughout project delivery to resolve site-specific design and technical issues while maintaining design intent.
- Work with Procurement to ensure material selections, fixtures, finishes, and specifications align with approved budgets and sourcing strategies.
- Collaborate with Operations and Visual Merchandising to ensure stores support operational excellence and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
- Build trusted partnerships across cross-functional teams and consistently influence stakeholders through clear communication, sound judgment, and collaborative problem solving.
Team Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and develop the domestic Store Design team, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
- Manage workloads, establish project priorities, and allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects.
- Conduct regular design reviews, provide coaching and constructive feedback, and support succession planning within the team.
- Identify project risks and proactively develop solutions to minimize impacts on schedule, budget, design quality, and operational objectives.
- Promote a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and design excellence.
Consultant & Stakeholder Management:
- Manage relationships with external architects, consultants, landlords, and specialist design partners throughout project delivery.
- Review consultant work to ensure compliance with company standards, project requirements, and technical expectations.
- Coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to maintain project momentum and achieve successful project outcomes.
Continuous Improvement:
- Support the implementation of evolving brand standards in partnership with the Design Concepts team.
- Identify opportunities to improve design processes, documentation standards, project delivery methods, and value engineering initiatives.
- Drive consistency across all domestic projects while remaining responsive to individual market and site requirements.
Working within the Store Design team, the Director ensures that each project is delivered in alignment with the company's design standards, commercial objectives, budget parameters, and program timelines. The role translates approved retail concepts into buildable, market-appropriate store designs while maintaining the integrity of the brand across every customer touchpoint.
As a key cross-functional leader, the Director partners closely with Real Estate, Construction, Procurement, Operations, and Visual Merchandising to drive efficient project delivery and resolve challenges throughout the project lifecycle. The role is also responsible for leading and developing the domestic design team while managing external architects and consultants to ensure consistent quality across all projects.
Click here for benefit details related to this position.
Minimum Salary: $152,300.00
Maximum Salary: $216,090.00
VS&Co provides a range of compensation for this role as shown. Your actual salary will be determined by a number of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic region, or other relevant factors.
Qualifications
Your Experience
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or a related discipline.
- Registered Architect preferred.
- Minimum 8–10 years' experience in retail architecture, store design, or retail project delivery, including experience leading multi-site retail rollouts.
- Demonstrated experience delivering flagship, shopping center, outlet, and refurbishment projects within a multi-unit retail environment.
- Experience managing internal design teams, external architects, and multidisciplinary consultants.
- Strong understanding of retail construction, documentation, procurement, building codes, and project delivery.
Technical Skills
- Advanced proficiency in:
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- Adobe Creative and Microsoft Suite
- SketchUp
- Working knowledge of Rhino and BIM workflows is advantageous.
Key Competencies
- Retail design and technical expertise
- Store rollout and project management
- Leadership and people development
- Commercial awareness and financial acumen
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Stakeholder management and influencing
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Problem solving and decision making
- Planning and organizational excellence
- Attention to detail and commitment to quality
Success Measures
- Successful delivery of all domestic retail projects on schedule and within approved budgets.
- Consistent implementation of brand standards across all store formats throughout the United States and Canada.
- Strong collaboration with Real Estate, Construction, Procurement, Operations, and Visual Merchandising.
- High-performing and engaged Store Design team with strong technical capability and ongoing professional development.
- Effective management of external architects and consultants, delivering high-quality, buildable design solutions.
- Delivery of commercially successful retail environments that balance brand integrity, operational functionality, customer experience, and financial objectives.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.
Why You Belong Here
At Victoria’s Secret & Co, you’ll join a world-leading specialty retail brand recognized globally for innovation and excellence in lingerie and fashion. You’ll work alongside industry leaders to set the standard for what a retail brand can achieve, placing customers at the center of everything we do to create products and experiences that bring them joy.
We believe everyone deserves a place where they truly belong. We celebrate individuality and know that your passion, experience, and unique perspective strengthen our team and business. Here, you’ll be empowered to perform, grow, and engage through unmatched opportunities to develop your skills, gain real-world experience, and learn from the best in the business.
Description
The Store Design Director – Domestic Rollout is responsible for leading the successful delivery of all retail store projects across the United States and Canada. This role oversees the rollout of all store formats, including flagship stores, shopping center locations, outlet stores, relocations, remodels, partial refurbishments, and strategic capital projects.
Your Impact
Store Rollout & Project Delivery:
- Lead the design rollout and delivery of all domestic retail projects across the United States and Canada.
- Manage projects across all store formats, including flagship stores, shopping center locations, outlet stores, relocations, remodels, partial refurbishments, and new store openings.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within approved budgets, and in accordance with established tier parameters.
- Balance design quality, operational requirements, program schedules, and commercial objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
- Maintain and continuously improve design standards, templates, libraries, and best practices to promote consistency, efficiency, and knowledge sharing across the Store Design organization.
Design Leadership:
- Translate approved design concepts into technically robust, buildable store designs that respond to individual site conditions while maintaining brand integrity.
- Review store layouts, schematic designs (in house), design development packages, and technical documentation to ensure quality and consistency.
- Present design solutions confidently to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, clearly articulating design rationale, commercial considerations, and project outcomes.
- Apply strong retail design principles while considering customer experience, operational efficiency, cost, and constructability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner closely with Real Estate during site evaluation and lease review to assess opportunities and constraints.
- Collaborate with Construction throughout project delivery to resolve site-specific design and technical issues while maintaining design intent.
- Work with Procurement to ensure material selections, fixtures, finishes, and specifications align with approved budgets and sourcing strategies.
- Collaborate with Operations and Visual Merchandising to ensure stores support operational excellence and deliver an exceptional customer experience.
- Build trusted partnerships across cross-functional teams and consistently influence stakeholders through clear communication, sound judgment, and collaborative problem solving.
Team Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and develop the domestic Store Design team, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
- Manage workloads, establish project priorities, and allocate resources across multiple concurrent projects.
- Conduct regular design reviews, provide coaching and constructive feedback, and support succession planning within the team.
- Identify project risks and proactively develop solutions to minimize impacts on schedule, budget, design quality, and operational objectives.
- Promote a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and design excellence.
Consultant & Stakeholder Management:
- Manage relationships with external architects, consultants, landlords, and specialist design partners throughout project delivery.
- Review consultant work to ensure compliance with company standards, project requirements, and technical expectations.
- Coordinate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to maintain project momentum and achieve successful project outcomes.
Continuous Improvement:
- Support the implementation of evolving brand standards in partnership with the Design Concepts team.
- Identify opportunities to improve design processes, documentation standards, project delivery methods, and value engineering initiatives.
- Drive consistency across all domestic projects while remaining responsive to individual market and site requirements.
Working within the Store Design team, the Director ensures that each project is delivered in alignment with the company's design standards, commercial objectives, budget parameters, and program timelines. The role translates approved retail concepts into buildable, market-appropriate store designs while maintaining the integrity of the brand across every customer touchpoint.
As a key cross-functional leader, the Director partners closely with Real Estate, Construction, Procurement, Operations, and Visual Merchandising to drive efficient project delivery and resolve challenges throughout the project lifecycle. The role is also responsible for leading and developing the domestic design team while managing external architects and consultants to ensure consistent quality across all projects.
Click here for benefit details related to this position.
Minimum Salary: $152,300.00
Maximum Salary: $216,090.00
VS&Co provides a range of compensation for this role as shown. Your actual salary will be determined by a number of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic region, or other relevant factors.
Qualifications
Your Experience
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, or a related discipline.
- Registered Architect preferred.
- Minimum 8–10 years' experience in retail architecture, store design, or retail project delivery, including experience leading multi-site retail rollouts.
- Demonstrated experience delivering flagship, shopping center, outlet, and refurbishment projects within a multi-unit retail environment.
- Experience managing internal design teams, external architects, and multidisciplinary consultants.
- Strong understanding of retail construction, documentation, procurement, building codes, and project delivery.
Technical Skills
- Advanced proficiency in:
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- Adobe Creative and Microsoft Suite
- SketchUp
- Working knowledge of Rhino and BIM workflows is advantageous.
Key Competencies
- Retail design and technical expertise
- Store rollout and project management
- Leadership and people development
- Commercial awareness and financial acumen
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Stakeholder management and influencing
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Problem solving and decision making
- Planning and organizational excellence
- Attention to detail and commitment to quality
Success Measures
- Successful delivery of all domestic retail projects on schedule and within approved budgets.
- Consistent implementation of brand standards across all store formats throughout the United States and Canada.
- Strong collaboration with Real Estate, Construction, Procurement, Operations, and Visual Merchandising.
- High-performing and engaged Store Design team with strong technical capability and ongoing professional development.
- Effective management of external architects and consultants, delivering high-quality, buildable design solutions.
- Delivery of commercially successful retail environments that balance brand integrity, operational functionality, customer experience, and financial objectives.
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws. Please see links: California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Philadelphia Fair Chance Law, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance
An equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate in hiring or terms and conditions of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. We only hire individuals authorized for employment in the United States.
See all 835+ Design Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Design Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Design Director Jobs
Target companies with in-house creative teams
Large tech companies, consumer brands, and media organizations maintain dedicated design functions and have established immigration programs. These employers file H-1B petitions regularly and understand the specialty occupation requirements for senior creative roles.
Document your degree-to-role connection clearly
USCIS scrutinizes creative leadership roles more than engineering positions. A degree in graphic design, industrial design, architecture, or fine arts directly supporting your Director-level responsibilities strengthens the specialty occupation argument significantly.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates business impact
Consular officers and USCIS adjudicators respond to evidence of measurable outcomes. Quantify how your design leadership drove revenue, product adoption, or brand recognition. This evidence also supports O-1A petitions for candidates with exceptional ability.
Consider the O-1A if you have industry recognition
Design Directors with awards, publications, speaking engagements, or critical roles at distinguished organizations may qualify for O-1A status. This visa bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely and can be filed any time of year.
Prepare for specialty occupation RFEs proactively
Design Director roles attract USCIS Requests for Evidence questioning whether the position truly requires a specific degree. Your employer's attorney should submit detailed position descriptions, organizational charts, and industry standards documentation upfront.
Leverage internal transfers if you work for a multinational
Design Directors employed by companies with U.S. offices may qualify for an L-1A intracompany transferee visa as a manager or executive. This route skips the lottery and is particularly strong for those in senior leadership abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Design Director role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS expects the position to normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as graphic design, industrial design, or a related discipline. Roles that accept any degree field or treat the degree as optional are vulnerable to denial. Your employer's petition should include a detailed job description and evidence that the industry norm for this position requires specialized design education.
What visa options exist for Design Directors beyond the H-1B?
Design Directors with significant recognition, awards, or industry influence may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa, which has no lottery or annual cap. Those employed by multinational companies may pursue the L-1A as a manager or executive. Australians with a qualifying job offer can apply for the E-3 visa, which also bypasses the H-1B lottery. Canadians and Mexicans may qualify under TN visa status, though Design Director is not a listed TN occupation and this path is rarely viable.
How likely is H-1B approval for a Design Director?
USCIS approved roughly 87% of H-1B petitions overall in FY2024, but design and creative roles historically receive more Requests for Evidence than STEM fields. Approval likelihood depends heavily on how the position is framed in the petition, the specificity of the degree requirement, and whether the employer's attorney anticipates adjudicator concerns about specialty occupation eligibility. Roles at companies with a track record of sponsoring design talent are generally well-positioned.
Do I need a specific degree to get sponsored as a Design Director?
You need a bachelor's degree or higher in a field directly related to the design discipline the role requires. A degree in graphic design, industrial design, human-computer interaction, architecture, or fine arts typically supports the specialty occupation argument. A general business or unrelated degree is harder to defend unless paired with significant graduate coursework or three years of progressive experience per year of missing education under the H-1B equivalency rules.
Where can I find Design Director jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking sponsored roles in the U.S. The platform filters for employers actively open to visa sponsorship, so you can focus on Design Director opportunities without sorting through listings that won't support your immigration status. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the process.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Design Director jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.