VM Environmental Designer Principal- Seattle, WA

Job Description Job Summary

The Principal Environmental Designer is a highly skilled, visionary leader responsible for setting the creative direction and strategic vision for environmental design across Nordstrom stores. This role drives innovation in store environments, and experiential design, ensuring alignment with brand identity and business objectives. The Principal Environmental Designer single handedly manages and executes over 500 projects annually that vary in scope, complexity, and detail.

This designer works to ensure the delivery of high-quality design solutions that align with business objectives and environmental considerations. In addition to leading cross‑functional collaboration, mentoring design teams, and influencing executive stakeholders, the Principal Designer partners closely with the Nordstrom Merchandising Group (NMG) and Nordstrom Leadership to co‑develop compelling visual and departmental concepts. This includes translating seasonal strategies and brand narratives into immersive in‑store experiences that resonate with customers and support business goals.

This role demands a keen ability to synthesize input from multiple stakeholders, define a clear creative direction, and lead the design process from concept to execution. As the Principal Designer, they not only transform ideas into tangible designs but also effectively communicate the Nordstrom vision to secure brand alignment and approval for new projects. Their leadership ensures consistency, innovation, and excellence across every customer touchpoint.

• Define and lead the creative vision for large‑scale environmental design initiatives, including store concepts, Scaled Events, and brand activations.
• Partner with senior leadership across Visual Merchandising, Brand Creative, Marketing, and Store Operations to align design strategies with business goals.
• Oversee the development of design systems, standards, and scalable solutions that ensure consistency across all physical and digital environments.
• Guide and mentor a team of designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Present design strategies and concepts to executive stakeholders and external partners, articulating the business impact and customer value.
• Lead innovation in materials, sustainability, and production methods to enhance design quality and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate and approve high‑impact design proposals, prototypes, and final executions to ensure alignment with brand and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with VM Engineers and Project Managers to ensure feasibility, budget alignment, and timely delivery of projects.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies to inform future‑forward design thinking.

Strategic Mindset:
Is aware of how own work connects to the broader organization’s strategy. Understands what actions to take to help the organization reach its goals. Drives Vision:
Takes steps to advance the organization’s vision and ensures that own efforts align with the team’s goals and priorities. Operates with a clear sense of purpose that gives meaning to everyday activities. Ensures clear connections between day‑today actions and the organization’s overall vision. Communicates Effectively:
Tailors communication content and style to the needs of others.

Takes steps to ensure effective communication between individuals and teams.

Pays attention to others’ input and perspectives; ask questions and summarizes input to confirm understanding. Builds Trust:
Demonstrates dependability and builds an organization with a reputation for living up to its commitments. Gains others’ trust and respect by showing consistency between what is said and what is…