Design Director for Contemporary Women’s

Our client, a Contemporary Brand, is seeking a Design Director to drive the overall trend and design strategy for their leading women’s lifestyle brand. The ideal candidate has experience leading a team of designers to create products that are original, on-trend, end-use and function driven, are commercially viable, and aligned with the brand’s identity. The ideal candidate combines excellence in creativity, leadership, and technical expertise and is efficient with a strategic vision and a collaborative approach. Some experience in performance is helpful, but integrating fashion into the product and spirit is important. Five days per week in NY office required. The salary range for this role is $200,000.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with leadership to create quarterly concepts, product design roadmaps, and design strategy informed by the performance/active and wellness landscape via trends in activewear, fashion, and customer mindsets.
• Drive seasonal concepts through color palette and ensuring aesthetic and design storytelling is threaded throughout collection and print selection, creating a cohesive product assortment that is visually enticing to their customer.
• Lead, coach, and clear obstacles for all design team members, providing tools and support to help them reach success.
• Partner with Production team to lead all fabric and trim developments based on quarterly concept and execute on calendar and at price matrix.
• Be a fit expert to drive exceptional fit consistency in their product and partner with tech team to lead designers in their fit and garment construction development.
• Build strong and synergistic relationships with cross-functional partners: Merchandising, Marketing, and Production.
• Think innovatively at all stages of the creative, design, and development process. Be curious!
• Adhere to Product Development Calendar, closely aligning with the merchandise strategy to bring the right product in at the right time.
• Co-create with other brands and designers.
• Maintain and track seasonal development costs and ensure they are within budget.
• Lead the creation of mood boards, fabric boards and product related research.
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial attitude.

Qualifications:

• Experience managing a team of 6+
• 7-10 years cross-category fashion design experience
• Strong general management and leadership skills; ability to grow and manage a team and work well cross-functionally
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and prioritize and oversee multiple projects at once
• Successful track-record in building a line and storytelling, working closely with merchandising and adhering to and owning calendar milestones
• Strong taste level, a leader in what is on trend and exciting in the space
• Ability to present ideas and products in a simple and clear manner (to both partners and leadership)
• Strong understanding of consumer mindset, consumer empathy and a dedication to creating great consumer experiences
• Take ownership, problem solver

If you meet the required qualifications and are interested in this role, please apply today.

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