Store Construction Specialist

Columbia Sportswear, a global outdoor‑apparel brand headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, is expanding its retail footprint across Europe. Based at the EMEA headquarters in Geneva, the company seeks a Store Construction Specialist who will act as Project Manager for the design, build, opening and refurbishment of a variety of retail environments, from flagship stores to partner‑run shop‑in‑shops. The role involves steering roughly 35 construction projects each year across multiple countries. You will gather initial data such as plans and photographs, collaborate with architects to adjust AutoCAD drawings, and ensure that external partners respect Columbia's design guidelines. Daily tasks include requesting and negotiating supplier quotes, monitoring site progress and costs, protecting opening schedules, and travelling to locations to meet local stakeholders. You will also contribute to improving internal processes to boost team efficiency and support key performance targets like budget per square metre and concept consistency. Successful candidates are expected to have a proven background in managing multi‑country construction, store opening or refit projects, with a solid record of meeting deadlines, budgets and brand standards. Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise under pressure are essential, as is clear communication with diverse audiences ranging from internal retail teams to architects and landlords. Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory, and you must be comfortable using AutoCAD, Excel and collaborative platforms such as SharePoint or Smartsheet to track budgets and contracts. Regular travel throughout Europe is a core part of the job. The position offers a hybrid work model with two days per week remote, generous product discounts, health‑insurance support for Swiss employees, and access to wellness activities and unlimited LinkedIn Learning. Columbia promotes an inclusive culture, continuous learning and internal mobility, allowing you to develop expertise across the company's multinational environment. The role sits within a dynamic Store Construction team that reports to the Principal Real Estate Specialist and works closely with Retail, Marketing and Finance colleagues. What the role asks for: - Proven experience managing construction, store opening or refit projects across countries - Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on time, within budget and to brand standards - Strong time‑management and budget‑control capabilities - Fluent English, spoken and written - Very good command of AutoCAD for reading and adjusting plans - Proficiency with Excel and collaborative tools (SharePoint, Smartsheet) - Ability to interpret technical details in construction and fit‑out contracts - Willingness to travel regularly across Europe