Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Cora Polesovsky

Summary

Professional Store Development leader with strong track record in managing large-scale projects from inception to completion to lease end. Known for fostering team collaboration and delivering impactful results under changing conditions. Expertise in impactful and thoughtful design, project management, budget oversight, and regulatory compliance. Adaptable and reliable, bringing strategic vision and leadership to every project.

Work History

Director of Construction, Design, and Facilities

Ascend Wellness Holdings
07.2024 - Current
  • Onboarding Facilities/Maintenance software, streamlining process, improve efficiency, transparency
  • Transitioning to scale position with scale of Company, build team as company grows
  • Analyzing current process and implementing better procedure, create SOPs for all teams
  • Create prototype design details and specifications, create brand standards and market unification
  • Review current merchandising strategies, implement fixture rollouts to increase sales

Director of Facilities

Ascend Wellness Holdings
04.2024 - 07.2024
  • Promoted to Director, Design, Construction, Facilities
  • Increased safety standards by developing and enforcing comprehensive safety protocols for all facilities.
  • Enhanced facility efficiency by implementing cost-saving measures and streamlining operations.
  • Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations through diligent oversight of facility operations and documentation processes.
  • Managed multi-million-dollar budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and optimal resource allocation.

Sr. Director of Design and Store Development

EssilorLuxottica
06.2022 - 04.2024
  • Managing high volume retail stores from site selection to lease termination, across multiple brands, streamlining process, improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability
  • Raising the bar on internal construction talent and capabilities, developing internal and external resources to manage construction projects with high demands (quality, time, budget)
  • Managed diverse teams (Special Projects, Design, Architecture, Engineering, Technology Systems, Jurisdictional Approvals) ensuring that schedules, budgets, and superior quality were attained
  • Multiple brand management: LensCrafters, RayBan, Oliver Peoples, SunglassHut, Bass Pro / Cabela's, Oakley, Pearle Vision, SIS for SGH Military Bases, LC and SGH Macy's, Target Vision, in addition to special roll-outs
  • Managed Special Projects for all of North America
  • These were projects that were facilities/maintenance projects up to complete remodels, roll-outs of fixturing across stores, signage/branding upgrades across stores, all temporary stores, all kiosks
  • Serve as the expert for all store development issues for issues relative to design, engineering, equipment, code, jurisdictional requirements, construction schedules, budgeting, rebates and tax incentives

Director of Design and Construction

Party City
02.2020 - 10.2021
  • Actively managed the implementation of a web-based construction scheduling and cost management program the team to scale to enable NXTGEN capital rollout initiatives
  • Sourced and onboarded specialty fixture vendors, during a global pandemic, avoiding interruption of NXTGEN rollout initiatives and ensuring business continuity
  • Led fixture development and initiatives to value-engineer specialty fixtures and store design
  • Developed standardized procedures and process guides for fixture development, store design
  • Led the store design and construction team for all retail projects to include NXTGEN design layouts, architectural design drawings, construction permitting, fixture development and production

Store Development Director

Warby Parker
11.2016 - 11.2019
  • Implemented a web based construction scheduling and cost management program improving overall project accountability, transparency, and streamlining process
  • Responsible for Complete Construction Management and Contract Administration, including bid, contract, payments, procurement including contracts, construction, punchlist, close out, tenant allowance, warranty
  • Submitted required documentation and collected +$8M in Tenant Allowance
  • Managed day-to-day Development team, including schedules, buildouts, budgets, process, purchasing
  • Onboarded new vendors, helping to achieve significant cost savings in store construction and renovations
  • Developed template MSAs and SOWs, creating new, streamlined processes to prepare company to scale

Store Development Senior Manager

New York & Company
10.2014 - 08.2017
  • Implemented a web based construction scheduling and cost management program improving overall workflow
  • Roll out fixtures from design to install for 600+ stores, strategically planning and increasing merch capacity
  • Value-engineered new prototype design, achieving cost savings while maintaining design integrity
  • Responsible for lease review, cost models, and scheduling construction projects
  • Worked with architects to complete Construction Documents, GCs and Vendors to complete construction
  • Complete Construction Management and Contract Administration, including bid, contract, payment, construction, punchlist, close out, tenant allowance, warranty
  • Integral in company initiatives: Specialty fixture roll-outs, development and construction of Eva Mendes concept Pop Up Shops, reworking layout/merchandising concepts, implementing high capacity fixtures

Project Manager, Designer

Retail Design Services, LLC
06.2011 - 10.2014

Marketing, Business Development

GlobalArch
02.2002 - 11.2003

Senior Management, Operations Controller, Project Administrator

The Tricarico Group, PC
04.1994 - 01.2002
  • Opened stores nationwide from design schematic to punchlist, acted as client maintenance department
  • Directly responsible for a staff of 14 and ensuring quality control, meeting deadlines, and profitability
  • Managed multiple National Accounts (construction documents and/or project management)
  • Executed Operations / Sr
  • Mgmt
  • Duties, including HR, website, quality control, corporate standards
  • Responsible for risk management based on research and implementation of policy/procedure
  • Corporate marketing representative - new business meetings, trade shows, etc
  • Reviewed and assisted in negotiation of client Tenant Leases (including Construction Exhibits)
  • Retailers included: Mothers Work, Inc., For Eyes, United Retail, Gateway, Sunglass Hut, Armani Exchange, Lechters, Cost Plus, The Rag Shop, Modells, L'Occitane, Mandees, Zara, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bruno Magli, Garden Botanika, Au Bon Pain / Choices, Xando/Cosi, Godiva, Yankee Candle

Education

Bachelor of Architecture -

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ

Skills

  • Analytical Problem Solving
  • Strategic Decision-Making
  • Effective Team Leadership
  • Network Development
  • Project Planning and Development

Timeline

Director of Construction, Design, and Facilities

Ascend Wellness Holdings
07.2024 - Current

Director of Facilities

Ascend Wellness Holdings
04.2024 - 07.2024

Sr. Director of Design and Store Development

EssilorLuxottica
06.2022 - 04.2024

Director of Design and Construction

Party City
02.2020 - 10.2021

Store Development Director

Warby Parker
11.2016 - 11.2019

Store Development Senior Manager

New York & Company
10.2014 - 08.2017

Project Manager, Designer

Retail Design Services, LLC
06.2011 - 10.2014

Marketing, Business Development

GlobalArch
02.2002 - 11.2003

Senior Management, Operations Controller, Project Administrator

The Tricarico Group, PC
04.1994 - 01.2002

Bachelor of Architecture -

New Jersey Institute of Technology

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Cora Polesovsky