Daniel Gutierrez

Retail Development & Construction Leader

I am a retail development and construction leader with strong expertise in retail design and experience delivering more than 100 projects across luxury retail environments, including freestanding boutiques, department store counters, shop-in-shops, renovations, and pop-ups.

My expertise spans the full project lifecycle, from concept development, retail design, and CAPEX planning through procurement, contractor management, construction execution, and store opening. I manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing design quality, financial accountability, construction schedules, and stakeholder expectations across diverse retail environments.

What distinguishes my approach is the integration of hands-on construction leadership, creative design expertise, and business discipline, supported by a background in architecture and international business. I have personally designed and delivered retail environments while also managing the execution of global design concepts, bringing a comprehensive understanding of how design decisions influence construction feasibility, project costs, brand experience, and long-term operational performance.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CLARINS USA

Senior Manager, Store Design & Construction

Lead retail development, design, and construction initiatives across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, managing multiple concurrent projects and annual capital expenditure responsibilities.

Oversee store build-outs, relocations, renovations, and department store environments, directing project planning, budgeting, contractor bidding, procurement, construction schedules, technical coordination, and delivery.

Manage two direct reports while coordinating architects, consultants, general contractors, international vendors, and internal business partners to maintain alignment across project scope, cost, schedule, and quality.

In addition to construction leadership, personally develop retail designs for selected projects, integrating brand identity, architectural detailing, construction feasibility, and financial considerations.

LA PRAIRIE GROUP

Senior Project Manager, North America & Latin America

Managed luxury retail construction projects across North America and Latin America, including flagship counters, renovations, relocations, and retail expansions.

Oversaw capital budgets, contractor procurement, construction scheduling, technical coordination, and project turnover, translating global design concepts into locally executable construction solutions.

Worked closely with global design teams, retailers, landlords, general contractors, and specialty vendors to address site conditions, manage construction risks, and maintain brand standards.

Also contributed to operational improvements through store lifecycle and facilities management systems, supporting greater coordination between project delivery and ongoing store operations.

L'OCCITANE GROUP

Store Development Project Manager

Managed new store construction, renovations, and relocations from preconstruction planning through final handover.

Oversaw contractor bidding, scope negotiations, procurement, budget tracking, change orders, and construction scheduling, working across internal departments and external project teams to support successful retail openings.

Collaborated with architects, consultants, contractors, supply chain, IT, and store operations to coordinate construction requirements and ensure operational readiness.

LEADERSHIP APPROACH

I believe successful retail development requires more than executing an approved design. It demands financial discipline, technical judgment, effective team leadership, and accountability throughout the construction process.

My approach combines structured project management with hands-on involvement in critical decisions. From negotiating construction scopes and evaluating value engineering opportunities to resolving unforeseen site conditions and coordinating international vendors, I focus on practical solutions that protect project budgets, schedules, and design quality.

I also recognize that successful construction delivery extends beyond opening day. Maintainability, operational efficiency, and effective turnover are essential to protecting the long-term value of a retail investment.

EDUCATION

Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Global Business

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), International Management