Design Director

Description

The Director of Design is responsible for leading the execution of all product design across apparel and graphics. This role owns the front-end of the product creation process, translating merchandising strategy and product direction into compelling, market-relevant assortments that drive revenue and brand differentiation.

The Director of Design establishes and operationalizes seasonal design direction, oversees apparel and graphic design teams, and delivers complete, commercially viable product lines ready for development. This role partners closely with Merchandising, Product Development, to ensure alignment from concept through execution.

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.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Direction & Trend Execution

Execute and operationalize seasonal creative direction established by VP Product and Design, including color, fabric, silhouette, and graphic trendsTranslate consumer insights, market trends, and competitive landscape into relevant product executionMaintain a clear and consistent design language across all categories and channelsDrive innovation within established brand positioning and product directionProduct Design & Line Development

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

Oversee all graphic design execution, including licensed, branded, and custom artworkEnsure graphics align with brand standards, customer requirements, and licensing guidelinesDrive innovation in graphic applications, embellishments, and decoration techniquesPartner with Sales and Licensing to deliver market-relevant graphic solutionsTeam Leadership & Development

Lead and develop apparel and graphic design teamsSet clear expectations, priorities, and accountability for design deliverablesFoster a high-performance, collaborative, and solutions-oriented team environmentBuild organizational capability to support future growthProcess & Calendar Ownership

Own all front-end design milestones within the product creation calendarEnsure all designs are completed, vetted, and aligned prior to handoff to Product DevelopmentDrive discipline in line readiness for milestone meetings and cross-functional reviewsMinimize late-stage changes through strong upfront alignmentProduct Presentation & Market Engagement

Lead internal design reviews and milestone product presentations, ensuring product lines are clearly articulated, intentional, and commercially soundSupport and co-lead product presentations with VP Product and Sales leadership, translating design into clear, compelling product storiesParticipate in customer and retailer meetings to gather feedback, refine assortments, and support business development opportunitiesRepresent the Design function in cross-functional presentationsCross-Functional Collaboration

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

Strong creative vision with the ability to translate ideas into commercially viable productExcellent leadership and team development skillsHigh level of organization and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight timelinesStrong communication and presentation skillsStrategic thinker with a results-oriented mindsetAbility to balance creativity with business and financial objectivesKey Performance Indicators

On-time delivery of complete and aligned product linesCommercial performance of new product introductionsReduction in design related delays or reworkStrength and consistency of brand and product identityEffectiveness of cross-functional alignmentWork Environment / Travel

Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed for market research, customer engagement, and vendor collaboration

Requirements

Qualifications

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