Job Description
Design Director _ Outerwear
Direct Reports: Senior Designer(s), Designer(s), Associate Designer(s), Assistant Designer(s)
Overview
The Design Director will define and oversee the strategy, vision, and execution for an independent business unit or department.
Responsibilities
- Partner with cross functional management to drive company’s strategic initiatives
- Direct the overall design process to ensure that the design team is successfully meeting business needs according to the design time-and-action calendar
- Work closely with licensor to understand the brand aesthetic and seasonal strategy to effectively lead and present concept and strategy to the design team in developing clothing lines that are trend right, meet sales needs and are brand appropriate
- Conduct market research and identify current trends and competitive data as it relates to their assigned brand to establish key objectives for the season
- Partner with Sales and Merchandising teams to conceptualize and launch clothing lines for several levels of distribution
- Partner with Materials, Product Approval and Sourcing to ensure execution of samples and production matches design intention as closely as possible while navigating costing and execution challenges
- Partner with Creative Servies team as needed to refresh the showrooms accordingly
- Attend trade shows and industry events to remain current in the market
- Supervise design staff and provide direction and management throughout the design process
- Recruit top talent, train, develop and motivate team members
- Travel to factories to oversee development of samples and production
- Special projects as assigned
Required Skills/Abilities/Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design
- 10+ years of experience in the fashion Industry plus knowledge of childrenswear a MUST
- Ability to travel as needed
- Strong communication, presentation, and organizational skills
- Must be a strategic thinker, persuasive and collaborative
- Proven ability to lead and develop a team of designers
- Brand appropriate aesthetic
First 3 months 5 days in office. Accrued WFH days at 2 per month to be used each month or saved.
Salary Range $125,000- $175,000
