Design Director

This role executes against the seasonal vision and product direction set by the VP of Product and Design and is accountable for delivering complete, market-ready assortments aligned to that direction. Lead the design and development of seasonal assortments across all business segments (Licensed B&M & Ecom, Golf, Corporate, E-commerce)Translate merchandising strategies into cohesive, commercially viable product linesOwn silhouette creation, fabric direction (in partnership with Product Development), and styling detailsBuild assortments that align with merchandising strategy and VP Product direction; **escalate and align on any proposed deviations**Ensure assortments align with price architecture, margin targets, and channel needsGraphic Design Leadership Partner with Merchandising to align on assortment strategy, lifecycle, pricing, and channel segmentationPartner with Product Development to ensure seamless transition from design to executionSupport Sales and Marketing with product storytelling, presentations, and key product calloutsScope & Decision Rights Responsible for execution of product design and line development; does not own company-level product strategy or financial targetsOperates within the product vision, assortment strategy, and guardrails established by VP Product and MerchandisingAccountable for delivering complete, aligned product lines; final decisions on product direction sit with VP ProductPartners cross-functionally but does not override Merchandising strategy or Product Development execution ownershipSkills & Competencies Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or related field10+ years of experience in apparel design, with at least 5 years in a leadership roleMinimum 5+ years of experience in sports licensed apparel design (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NCAA or similar licensing environments)Direct experience working with major licensees and partners (e.g., Fanatics, leagues, collegiate licensing entities), including navigating approval processes and timelinesStrong experience across both apparel design and graphic designProven ability to build and execute commercially successful product linesDeep understanding of licensing requirements, approvals, and brand guidelines within licensed product environmentsStrong knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, and product development processesStrong understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapeExperience working in a multi-channel business (wholesale, retail, e-commerce, licensed)Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence decision-makingExperience presenting product lines to internal leadership, sales teams, and external customers/retailersAbility to operate effectively within a defined product strategy while elevating execution and creative output #J-18808-Ljbffr