WHAT IS THE JOB?The
Director of Design will serve as one of the Company's leads in Design and Product Development for our Ann Mashburn Products. This person will also be the primary owner of the planning and execution of all Design and Product Development for Ann Mashburn products. This position reports to the EVP of Design & Product. This position is ideal for a highly multi-functional, "roll up your sleeves," entrepreneurial creative professional who has demonstrated excellent thought, people, and process leadership.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES?- Collaborate with EVP of Design in the development and execution of product designs to achieve overall product strategy and merchandise objectives for Ann Mashburn Brand
- Responsible for creating designs, big ideas, sketches, and prototypes.
- Responsible for upholding design integrity, high-quality execution, and timeliness throughout the entire development process from concept through engineering and commercialization.
- Manage the design process from market research, concept boards, colors, fabric selection, designing to final fittings
- Accountable for calendar adherence throughout the entire development process
- Give feedback to design team members in developing seasonal mood boards, color palettes, and themes that represent the seasonal storytelling.
- Work closely with Technical Design partner to ensure fit consistency and raise quality
- Manage and mentor a team of Associate Designers, foster creative development, collaboration, and performance.
- Partner with merchandising to analyze performance and guide future product assortments.
- Maintain excellent partnerships and clear communication with internal cross-functional and external teams, including Merchandising, Product Development /Technical Design
- Attend fittings and provide clear design direction and comments to ensure fit and aesthetic alignment standards in production.
WHAT ARE THE SKILLS?- A 10+ year track record as a creative professional at a high-growth consumer brand, preferably in the retail, apparel, and hospitality space
- Distinctive people, process, and thought leadership capabilities and deep cross-functional influencing skills
- Strong understanding of garment construction, fabric behavior, and patternmaking.
- Excellent hand sketching and/or digital sketching ability.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), PLM systems, and Microsoft Office.
- Experience developing product directly with factories; understanding of development from concept through engineering
- Excellent sense of style, color and ability to conceptualize a collection
- Strong communication, presentation, and organizational skills; ability to form partnerships to collaborate, influence and drive change.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Team player
- Excellent work ethics, passion for excellence
- Strong portfolio of work is required
