The Retail Change Manager - Visual, leads the execution of all Retail Change initiatives — including new store openings, remodels, resets, and closures — ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to brand standards. Serving as the field-based liaison between Central Operations, Construction, Commercial, Facilities, and Field Operations, this role ensures flawless project delivery and operational readiness from build to business transition.
Pay Range : $7 0,000- 110,000 annually
Location : This role requires being based within 30 miles of a US priority airport or the ability to self-relocate by January 31, 2026. (NY Metro, DC, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, California, Colorado, Arizona)
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Execution
- Lead and coordinate all phases of new store openings, remodels, resets, and closures across assigned locations.
- Drive operational readiness, ensuring all pre- and post-opening activities meet WHSmith standards.
- Partner cross-functionally with Construction, Facilities, and Field Operations to monitor timelines, budgets, and readiness milestones.
- Lead on-site project execution and completion of punch lists and Day 2 actions.
- Provide hands-on leadership and oversight during key project stages to guide teams and vendors through setup and merchandising.
Operational Excellence & Process Management
Maintain visibility to project budgets, vendor performance, and progress against plan.Develop, implement, and maintain standardized Retail Change processes, checklists, and playbooks to ensure consistency.Support continuous improvement through post-project evaluations and best practice sharing.Identify and resolve field-level challenges quickly, escalating as necessary to maintain schedule and quality.Cross-Functional Partnership
Collaborate with Commercial, Merchandising, and Operations teams to ensure readiness for turnover.Partner with Facilities and external contractors to align on delivery standards, timelines, and compliance.Provide clear communication and updates to all stakeholders throughout each project lifecycle.Key Metrics
On-time project completion rate.Budget adherence (% variance from plan).Operational readiness and audit scores.Punch list closure rate within defined timeline.Transition effectiveness (store performance in first 90 days).