Senior Associate, Retail Design and Experience, New York, NY

Santander is a global leader and innovator in the financial services industry, evolving from a high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization. Our people are at the heart of this journey, driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

About the role

As a Senior Associate, Retail Design & Experience, you will play a critical role in shaping and executing Santander’s retail experience strategy across the U.S. branch network. You will support the development and delivery of new branch formats and renovation programs, ensuring our physical locations deliver a consistent, customer-centered, and operationally effective experience aligned to Santander’s omni-channel strategy.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end execution of retail experience and format initiatives across the physical network
• Support design development and implementation for new builds and renovations
• Maintain visibility into project scope, timelines, risks, decisions, and dependencies
• Ensure retail formats and customer journeys are consistently implemented across markets
• Support space design, finish standards, furniture selection, and customer experience consistency
• Maintain and evolve design standards, playbooks, prototypes, and implementation guidance
• Review design packages for alignment to brand, experience standards, and operational requirements
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design standards based on pilot learnings and rollout feedback
• Coordinate with architecture/design firms, agencies, and contractors to ensure high-quality deliverables
• Support vendor meeting cadence, documentation, follow-ups, and decision tracking
• Ensure design quality, consistency, and completeness across projects
• Partner with Network Planning, Real Estate/Delivery, Construction, Marketing, and Operations
• Translate experience strategy into buildable solutions meeting cost, schedule, and implementation needs
• Drive alignment and progress across a matrixed organization
• Create executive-ready presentations to communicate concepts, progress, and recommendations
• Compile and communicate information aligned to governance processes
• Conduct research and benchmarking on retail experience trends and digital + physical integration

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design (or equivalent experience)
• 9+ years of relevant experience in financial services, retail, luxury retail, hospitality, or multi-site commercial design environments
• Ability to read and review architectural construction drawings and design documentation
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Strong communication skills (visual, verbal, written) with ability to clearly convey design intent
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Ability to collaborate across local and global teams and influence without direct authority
• Demonstrated ownership, urgency, and accountability, with sound judgment on escalation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design (required)
• Experience working with an in-house design team, financial services firm preferred
• Strong background in AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator/Photoshop); basic 3D modeling/rendering a plus
• Knowledge of finish and furniture vendors and experience supporting multi-site rollout programs
• Strong knowledge of building codes and ADA compliance
• Experience at the intersection of digital and physical customer experience
• Experience within complex global organizations and cross-functional delivery models

Pay

The base pay range for this position is $90,000.00 USD to $155,000.00 USD annually.

Benefits

Santander offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you, your family, and your well-being, now and into the future. For detailed information, visit Santander Benefits - 2026 Santander OnGoing/NH eGuide.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without requiring employer sponsorship to commence employment.