Anthropologie is hiring a Design Director to lead the vision and strategy for Sweaters and Knits, with a focus on the Maeve brand. In this role, you will set the overall design direction each season, supervising a team to ensure all product aligns with our customer and brand vision.
What You'll Do
- Lead seasonal line planning to align product direction with market trends, brand vision, and business strategy.
- Drive trend forecasting and market analysis to inform design direction and maintain competitive positioning.
- Establish and guide the conceptual vision for product categories, translating inspiration into cohesive design strategies.
- Provide leadership and oversight to Assistant and Associate Designers, delegating responsibilities to optimize team performance.
- Oversee global sourcing strategies for raw materials, partnering with Product Development to innovate within cost targets.
- Direct cross-functional collaboration with Product Development and Technical Design to maintain design intent and product integrity.
- Maintain alignment with Product Development on development milestones to ensure on-time delivery and design standards.
- Lead key design reviews, including fittings and cross-functional meetings, to ensure product quality and brand consistency.
- Partner with global vendors and factories to support product innovation, development, and program execution.
- Build, mentor, and develop design talent, fostering a high-performing team.
What We're Looking For
- Highly creative design leader with a proven ability to translate global fashion and cultural trends into product strategies.
- Deep technical expertise in knitwear and woven garment construction, yarn development, trims, washes, and fabrications.
- Advanced understanding of global knit and woven manufacturing processes.
- Demonstrated ability to translate business objectives and customer insights into compelling design direction that drives growth.
- Strong organizational and leadership capabilities with a track record of managing multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Collaborative and influential partner with exceptional communication skills, able to align cross-functional teams across Design, Buying, Product Development, and Production.
- Proficiency in industry-standard design and productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator.
- Excellent hand sketching and visual communication skills used to articulate design vision and mentor emerging talent.
- Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience in knitwear design, including leadership experience within contemporary or lifestyle brands.
Nice to Have
- Experience with WebPDM or similar PLM systems.
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Business, or a related field.
Technical Stack
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- WebPDM or similar PLM systems
Team & Environment
You will supervise a team of Assistant and Associate Designers.
Benefits & Compensation
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Generous employee discounts
- Retirement savings
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
