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Retail Design Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

... specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom ... About the Role The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for ...

Support retail teams in guiding customers to create thoughtful, cohesive homes * Support new store openings and key initiatives with interior design expertise * Shape the interior design direction of ...

Design Director, Platform UI

San Diego, CA · On-site

$164K - $202K/yr

At CourtAvenue, the Design Director, Platform UI leads the visual interface layer of our most ... retail, manufacturing, and other regulated enterprise environments. This is not consumer brand or ...

At CourtAvenue, the Design Director, Platform UI leads the visual interface layer of our most ... retail, manufacturing, and other regulated enterprise environments. This is not consumer brand or ...

Art Director & Design

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$87K - $117K/yr

Saks Global is the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, comprising Saks Fifth Avenue ... Present creative references, mood boards, and design solutions that support the Creative Director ...

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Showing results 1-20

Retail Design Director information

See California salary details

$63.3K

$112.1K

$168.6K

How much do retail design director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for retail design director in California is $112,080.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,800.00 and $132,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a retail design director do?

A Retail Design Director oversees the creative and strategic direction of retail spaces, ensuring that store layouts, visual merchandising, and brand experiences align with the company's goals. They lead design teams, collaborate with architects and marketers, and manage the execution of design concepts from idea to implementation. Their work involves staying updated on trends, optimizing customer flow, and creating engaging environments that drive sales and enhance brand identity.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a retail design director?

To thrive as a Retail Design Director, you need expertise in spatial design, branding, and project management, typically supported by a degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field. Mastery of design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with familiarity with building codes and retail systems, is essential. Strong leadership, creativity, and effective communication skills help you inspire teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These competencies ensure that retail environments are both visually compelling and commercially effective, driving brand success and customer engagement.

How does a retail design director collaborate with cross-functional teams during store concept development?

As a Retail Design Director, you will frequently collaborate with marketing, merchandising, operations, and construction teams to ensure the store concept aligns with brand identity and business goals. This involves leading design workshops, presenting concepts, and gathering feedback to refine designs. You’ll also coordinate with vendors and architects to manage timelines, budgets, and technical requirements, ensuring a seamless transition from concept to execution. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for successful collaboration and project delivery.

What are the most commonly searched types of Retail Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Retail Design jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Retail Design Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,080 per year, or $53.9 per hour.

Design Director

Hayward, CA • On-site

COYUCHI
Retail • 11 - 50 employees

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

About Coyuchi

For over 30 years, Coyuchi has been connecting people to the restorative power of natural textiles and premium organic home goods. Coyuchi created a market for luxury organic home textiles before there was one by crafting luxurious, coastal, and vintage-inspired bedding, bath, and home goods. Coyuchi sources the finest 100% certified organic fibers and continues to innovate its products and practices to move the industry and the consumer toward sustainability and circularity, pioneering conscious luxury without compromise.

The Coyuchi brand can be experienced across multiple channels including Coyuchi.com, our store in Point Reyes Station, a robust network of specialty retailers, hospitality accounts and partners like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Amazon.


About the Role

The Design Director owns the design vision, direction, and hands-on execution for the Coyuchi brand — across every product category, from concept through development to launch. This is a player-coach role: you will set the creative strategy and cultivate the team that brings it to life, while staying personally close to the work. We're looking for a designer who leads with genuine passion for organic and luxury Home textiles — someone who wants to shape the design language of a category-defining brand.


Creative Vision & Design Leadership

  • Refine and evolve Coyuchi’s design DNA — a home design point of view that is cohesive, differentiated, and recognizable and honors the brand’s heritage as a leader and innovator
  • Amplify Coyuchi’s authority in organic practices, sustainable design innovation, exceptional quality, and California-inspired luxury
  • Direct creative strategy across all categories (Bedding, Bath, Décor, Dining, Apparel), including direction for expansion into new categories to achieve the Company’s growth goals
  • Monitor the competitive landscape in home furnishings and adjacent categories; translate trends and inspiration into Coyuchi’s point of view


Team Leadership & Talent Development

  • Directly manage and develop the Design team — set priorities, coach craft, and hold a consistent creative bar
  • Direct freelancers and partners (fit models, technical designers, vendors, print and design studios)
  • Set design guidelines to own consistency of design and construction detail across all product specs;


Hands-On Design & Process Ownership: Concept → Development → Launch

  • Design product personally alongside the team — this is a hands-on role, not direction-only
  • Prepare inspiration boards, develop color, pattern and print and test construction techniques to deliver briefed product and intended performance
  • Complete specs and manage tech packs through to hand-off, in close collaboration with Merchandising, Sourcing and Product Development
  • Review development samples, protos, swatches, and lab dips; evaluate strike-offs for color, print, and weaving against Coyuchi’s standards and asks
  • Attend fit meetings and manage sample revisions through to final approval
  • Travel to trade shows and vendor partners – for inspiration, reviews, vendor meetings (Global Travel)
  • Manage the seasonal design process end to end — off-calendar innovation, seasonal assortments, and updates to existing programs — delivering inspiration, concept, color palette, materials, print, and pattern
  • Own the Design and Development calendar, sequencing activities and timely hand-offs against business objectives and cross-functional accountabilities
  • Partner with Sourcing and Merchandising, vendors, and suppliers on R&D and innovation — new products, finishes, treatments, substrates, and weaving/knitting techniques that meet Coyuchi’s standards (GOTS/GOLS/Fair Trade), quality, and commercial goals
  • Communicate directly with vendors to execute new designs and products, including in-person meetings and vendor visits as needed


Cross-Functional Partnership

  • Provide design inspiration and philosophy to Marketing to maintain a consistent point of view across the company, including input on product copy and photography and “big ideas” story telling
  • Support Marketing initiatives that establish Coyuchi as a design authority — copy, photography, video, social, and media interviews as needed.


What We’re Looking For

  • 7+ years of design experience in home textiles or home furnishings, ideally within a luxury or premium brand, including experience leading a design team
  • Proven experience managing and developing a design team — including Go-to-Market calendar process accountabilities and hand-off management
  • In-depth knowledge of material construction, weaving, knitting techniques, and dyeing processes
  • Working knowledge of organic and sustainable practices and certifications (GOTS/GOLS/Fair Trade)
  • Strong sense of style and color, with the ability to work across a range of materials and product types and translate market trends into Coyuchi’s DNA and aesthetic lenses
  • Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Working knowledge of global sourcing and production processes
  • Bachelor’s degree in Art or Design, or equivalent experience
  • Genuine passion for home textiles, natural fiber, and craft
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed