John O'brien
About John O'brien
John O'Brien is the Director of New Store Planning, Prototype and Architecture at Kohl's Department Stores, overseeing architectural planning and managing a team of 25 members.
Title and Role at Kohl's
John O'Brien currently holds the position of Director of New Store Planning, Prototype, and Architecture at Kohl's Department Stores. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the architectural planning and entitlement process for both new store exteriors and remodels. He manages a team that includes 4 direct reports and 21 planners. Additionally, he is responsible for the communication and document production related to Kohl's prototype and change management programs.
Previous Roles at Kohl's
Before his current role, John O'Brien served as the Director of Innovation, Fixture Design, and Capital Projects at Kohl's from 2007 to 2011. During this time, he directed innovation initiatives and managed design and capital projects within the company. His contributions in this role supported the evolution of store design and operational efficiencies.
Career at Macy's
John O'Brien has an extensive background at Macy's, where he worked in various capacities from 1992 to 2007. He began his career at Macy's as a Senior Store Planner, holding that position until 1998. He then became the Senior Store Planning Manager and held the role for one year before being promoted to Director of Store Planning, a position he held from 1999 to 2007. His work at Macy's involved critical store planning projects that contributed to the retailer's development and expansion.
Early Career and Federated Department Stores
John O'Brien started his career at Federated Department Stores, where he worked as a Store Planning and Design Administrator from 1988 to 1992. In this capacity, he was involved in the early stages of store planning and design, laying the foundation for his future roles in store architecture and planning at major retail companies.
Education and Expertise
John O'Brien earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1978. His educational background provided him with the foundational skills in design and planning, which he has effectively applied throughout his career in the retail industry.