Tapestry Director of Architecture

About Tapestry

Tapestry is a New York–based house of modern luxury, uniting the distinctive worlds of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. As an employer, the group offers the scale and sophistication of a global fashion leader while preserving the creative spirit and heritage of its iconic brands. Tapestry cultivates an inclusive, purpose-driven culture where design, craftsmanship, digital innovation, and commercial excellence intersect. Its teams are encouraged to think boldly, grow continuously, and contribute to a more responsible future for fashion, making Tapestry a compelling environment for talent seeking impact, creativity, and international opportunity.

Role & Responsibilities

• Define and lead global architectural design strategy across retail formats and markets.
• Integrate visual merchandising, merchandising, construction, and operations inputs into a cohesive, future-focused design direction.
• Drive innovation in store design, materials, and execution methods to evolve the store experience.
• Lead and inspire teams across New York and Asia, fostering local alignment, collaboration, and accountability.
• Oversee fixture designers and regional design managers responsible for store-specific project delivery.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on confidence and continuous learning; mentor and develop team members, strengthening leadership capability and expertise across regions.
• Establish and maintain global design standards, guidelines, and toolkits to ensure brand consistency and design excellence.
• Implement processes that ensure design quality in line with global guidance.
• Partner with construction and procurement to align standards with cost, timelines, and operational requirements.
• Guide regional design managers on store layouts and designs.
• Ensure projects maintain design integrity and are delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for critical decisions affecting design outcomes.
• Champion experimentation and forward-thinking design solutions.
• Lead initiatives incorporating new materials and technologies into store environments.
• Drive adoption of improved workflows, tools, and design technologies, including Monday.com.
• Evaluate and refine design processes to improve speed, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Challenge assumptions, advocate for strong design and business outcomes, navigate ambiguity, make informed decisions in complex or evolving situations, and lead transparent stakeholder conversations.
• Balance global standards with local needs, and creative ambition with operational and budgetary realities.
• Apply emerging and advanced technologies, including digital tools, data, and automation, to enhance design outcomes and support business objectives.
• Identify new or untapped opportunities, advance innovation, and develop strategic initiatives within store design.
• Connect people, customer experience, operations, and financial considerations to inform design direction.
• Build and lead high-performing, inclusive teams across regions, clarifying roles, expectations, and shared accountability.
• Develop talent through coaching, feedback, and stretch opportunities, strengthening technical expertise and leadership capability.
• Foster trust, collaboration, and continuous learning so teams can work confidently and independently.
• Identify and address capability gaps to prepare the organization to scale and adapt to future business needs.
• Take accountability for outcomes and drive decisions and actions that deliver measurable business and design results.
• Balance speed and quality, making appropriate trade-offs to meet timelines, budgets, and strategic goals.
• Own the full project lifecycle, from concept through execution and post-opening performance.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and adaptability, refining leadership approach to maximize individual and team impact.
• Champion and evolve a distinctive global store design identity that strengthens brand equity and customer experience.
• Make strategic, data-informed decisions balancing creative vision with commercial performance and scalability.
• Ensure design outcomes reinforce brand positioning and deliver measurable business value.
• Align design direction with long-term brand and business strategy while anticipating future customer and market needs.
• Build influential partnerships across functions, regions, and external stakeholders to drive alignment and outcomes.
• Scale design impact across markets and formats, ensuring consistency while enabling local relevance and flexibility.
• Navigate organizational complexity and influence senior-level business decision-making.
• Extend Architecture’s impact beyond design delivery, positioning it as a strategic driver of growth and innovation.

Skills

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k); paid parental leave; commuter benefits; disability insurance; tuition assistance.

Culture

Tapestry fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace where creativity, craftsmanship, and consumer insight come together across its portfolio of iconic fashion and lifestyle brands. As an employer, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking, global perspective, and continuous growth, empowering teams to shape meaningful brand experiences while contributing to a culture of innovation and belonging.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.