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Job Description

Job Summary

The Principal Designer serves as a senior-level creative and environmental design expert, acting as a strategic advisor and technical subject-matter expert (SME) across Creative Marketing, VM, NMG, and Brand partners. This role leads complex, large-scale design initiatives, elevates creative strategy, and shapes environmental design standards that influence broader functional goals. The Principal Designer provides expert counsel, drives innovation, and ensures alignment with Nordstrom’s brand and long-term creative direction.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the design, development, iteration, and execution of environmental, experiential, and 360 creative concepts that support merchandising, Brand collaborations, events, scaled experiences, and Creative Marketing projects.

- Serve as the functional SME for environmental and 3D design, providing strategic and technical guidance to cross-functional leaders and partners.

- Drive high-impact, large-scale projects independently, determining creative direction and ensuring solutions align with business, marketing, and brand objectives.

- Influence and refine environmental and experiential design standards to elevate consistency, innovation, and scalability across Creative Marketing and VM.

- Present complex concepts confidently to all levels of leadership, clearly articulating creative intent, strategic rationale, and business impact.

- Provide coaching, mentorship, and developmental support to junior designers and cross-functional partners, strengthening creative capabilities across the function.

- Collaborate deeply with Creative Marketing Leadership, VM NMG, and Brand partners to assess business needs, identify design opportunities, and deliver impactful experience-based solutions.

- Develop original design frameworks and new creative approaches using analytical and evaluative thinking to solve complex design and operational challenges.

- Produce detailed drawings, renderings, and documentation to support planning, prototyping, and execution of environmental concepts.

- Create proposal decks that communicate ideas visually and strategically, enabling partners to understand and align on the creative direction.

- Oversee vendor proposals, specifications, production files, and material guidelines to ensure design intent is preserved through fabrication.

- Evaluate and approve prototypes, ensuring accuracy, quality, and adherence to timelines and project goals.

- Manage project timelines, deliverables, and workflows with autonomy, ensuring successful outcomes across multiple concurrent initiatives.

- Guide and oversee external design or production partners as needed, providing expert review and final approvals.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, Visual Merchandising, Industrial Design, Architecture, or related field.

- 7–9+ years of progressively responsible experience in environmental, experiential, retail, or 3D design.

- Demonstrated expertise in developing and delivering innovative, large-scale experiential and environmental design concepts.

- Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills with the ability to articulate complex creative intent.

- Advanced proficiency in Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, CAD applications, and other relevant design software.

- Deep knowledge of VM, NDC specifications, materials, and production methodologies for 3D and environmental projects.

- Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and complex multi-phase projects.

- Strong strategic planning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

We’ve got you covered…

Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:

+ Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away

+ Life Insurance and Disability

+ Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources

A few more important points...

The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.

For Los Angeles or San Francisco applicants: Nordstrom is required to inform you that we conduct background checks after conditional offer and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements per Los Angeles, Cal. Muni. Code 189.04 and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional state and location specific notices, please refer to the Legal Notices document within the FAQ section of the Nordstrom Careers site.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com.

Please be mindful that there may be legal notices and requirements related to this job posting that are specific to your state. Review the Career Site FAQ’s (https://careers.nordstrom.com/#/contact-us/faq) for relevant information and guidelines.

• 2022 Nordstrom, Inc

Current Nordstrom employees: To apply, log into Workday, click the Careers button and then click Find Jobs.

Nordstrom keeps job postings open for at least one day after the posting date.

Pay Range Details

The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations. Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

$92,000.00 - $155,000.00 Annual

This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Learn more in the Nordstrom Benefits Overview by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: https://careers.nordstrom.com/pdfs/Ben\_Overview\_17-19.pdf

About Us

We’re a fast-moving fashion company that started as a shoe store in 1901. This heritage of service is the foundation we’re building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers. We empower our people to be innovative, creative and focused on providing the best service to our customers. Through it all, we remain committed to leaving the world better than we found it.

Whether you’re a genius engineer, a phenomenal salesperson or a supply chain pro, we invite you to bring your unique talents and join our team. We reward great work, promote from within and celebrate diversity.

CUSTOMER OBSESSEDWe strive to know our customers better than anyone else. We listen, anticipate, build trust and move with speed to deliver on their needs.

OWNERS AT HEARTWe treat every interaction as an opportunity to make an impact and deliver excellence.

CURIOUS AND EVER CHANGINGWe approach problems with curiosity and create solutions. We unlock potential to be bold, think big and inspire innovation.

HERE TO WINWe’re committed to delivering results, both today and tomorrow. We win as a team by supporting and challenging one another to be better every day.

WE EXTEND OURSELVESWe treat each other with respect and kindness. We do the small things that make a big difference. We create a welcoming environment, helping people feel connected, valued and part of one community.

Come on! Join us!