Senior Manager, Design Studio

Senior Manager, Design and Studio 

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

In this position... 

Ford Motor Company is redefining the future of its global retail and dealer environments to create more engaging, customer-centered brand experiences. As Ford continues to evolve its retail ecosystem, design plays a critical role in shaping how customers connect with the brand across physical and digital touchpoints worldwide. The Studio Director – Global Retail & Experiential Design will help lead this transformation, guiding the development and implementation of design systems and retail programs that elevate the customer experience, strengthen dealer partnerships, and bring Ford’s brand to life across its global network.

Design Mission 

The Global Dealer Excellence Design team shapes the future of Ford’s retail and experiential environments worldwide. Our mission is to translate Ford’s brand and customer strategy into compelling, human-centered environments that elevate the dealership experience, strengthen dealer partnerships, and create meaningful connections between customers and the Ford brand. 

Through design excellence, research-driven thinking, and multidisciplinary collaboration, the team develops scalable global design systems that support Ford’s evolving retail ecosystem across physical and digital customer touchpoints. 

What you'll do...

Ford Motor Company is seeking a Studio Director – Global Retail & Experiential Design to lead the governance, design direction, and implementation of retail and experiential brand environments across Ford’s global dealer network. 

Reporting to the Global Design and Brand Director, this role serves as a senior design leader responsible for the operational leadership of the studio and execution of global design initiatives within the Global Dealer Excellence team. The Studio Director will guide multidisciplinary design programs, oversee design system implementation, and ensure alignment between brand strategy, dealer operations, and customer experience. 

This individual will play a critical role in advancing Ford’s retail transformation by translating brand strategy into scalable design frameworks and customer-centered environments across global markets.

Design Leadership & Governance 

• Lead design governance and oversight of global retail and experiential initiatives across Ford’s dealer ecosystem. 
• Establish and maintain global design standards, frameworks, and guidelines to ensure consistent brand expression across markets. 
• Guide the assignment and management of studio resources and external partners supporting retail and experiential design programs. 
• Ensure design excellence, clarity, and consistency across global implementation. 

Retail Experience Strategy 

• Translate Ford’s evolving brand strategy into integrated retail and experiential design solutions. 
• Shape the future of Ford’s dealership and brand environments through customer-centered design thinking. 
• Advance innovative retail concepts that strengthen customer engagement and brand storytelling. 
• Integrate design strategy with business objectives, ensuring retail environments support dealer success, operational efficiency, and measurable improvements in customer engagement and sales performance. 

Multidisciplinary Design Integration 

Lead the integration of multiple design disciplines including: 

• Architecture 
• Interior Design 
• Graphic and Environmental Design 
• Landscape Architecture 
• Industrial Design 
• Furniture and Fixture Design 
• Art and Brand Content 
• Digital Experience 
• Signage and Wayfinding 
• Design Research and Human-Centered Design 

Ensure cohesive design outcomes across physical and digital customer touchpoints. 

Stakeholder & Program Leadership 

• Lead complex design programs involving multiple stakeholders across global markets. 
• Partner closely with Ford Brand, Marketing, Product Design, and Dealer Network leadership to align retail design with brand strategy and customer experience objectives. 
• Develop and maintain a communication framework for global retail network leaders, ensuring clarity of design standards, program updates, and implementation guidance. 
• Work directly with the global dealer network, integrating dealer perspectives into the design process to ensure solutions that are both brand-driven and operationally successful

Team & Studio Leadership 

• Provide day-to-day leadership for the design studio supporting Global Dealer Excellence initiatives. 
• Mentor designers and guide multidisciplinary teams toward high-quality design outcomes. 
• Oversee collaboration with external consultants, agencies, and implementation partners. 
• Support the Global Design and Brand Director in advancing the strategic vision for Ford’s global retail environments. 

Industry Insight & Innovation 

• Apply insights from hospitality, healthcare, and other customer-focused industries to inform the evolution of Ford’s retail environments. 
• Monitor emerging trends in experiential retail, mobility, and customer engagement. 
• Champion research-driven design approaches that continuously elevate the Ford customer experience.

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or interior design from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of professional design experience in architecture, interior design, experiential design, or retail environments.
• 5+ years of experience in global commercial practice.
• 2+ years of experience with project governance and team leadership.
• Portfolio is required demonstrating Human Centered project outcomes.

Even better, you may have...

• Master’s degree in architecture or interior design from an accredited institution.
• Experience delivering design programs across global markets or large retail networks preferred

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service 
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day 
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. 

This position is leadership level 5 and ranges from $138,240-261,720.

Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL5

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-MK1