Job Title
Urban Outfitters – Design Director
Overview
The Design Director is responsible for creating a seasonal collection of innovative product appropriate for the Urban Outfitters customer while leading and mentoring the Design team.
Responsibilities
- Function as leader, mentor, and manager for the design team.
- Create innovative and trend-driven collections as well as ongoing fast turn product.
- Collaborate with Design and cross-functional leadership teams to ensure outstanding design execution while meeting business objectives.
- Partner with Executive Leadership on seasonal inspiration, concept direction, and trends.
- Guide the Designers in the development of styles that support the seasonal design concepts and fulfill the needs of the business.
- Work closely with other category Design Directors to cross-pollinate ideas, outfitting, assortment balance, and maintain seasonal design direction.
- Collaborate with Print & Color team on seasonal print & color direction and assortment.
- Facilitate the seasonal development calendar in collaboration with the Design Manager.
- Prepare for and participate in all relevant product meetings.
- Manage the teams’ budgets, ensuring monthly budget requirements are met.
- Oversee branding of the seasonal assortment and work to build, improve, and elevate brand identity.
Skills
- Creative Vision: Have the vision to identify trends in their early stages and understand their impact on fashion, so we can be one step ahead for the aspirational customer.
- Provide Creative Direction that gives Urban a point of difference in the market without being too obscure.
- Ability to articulate ideas clearly and inspire.
- Excellent communication skills to communicate ideas and inspirations to others and to collaborate with all cross-functional partners.
- Organizational skills necessary to manage multiple tasks and projects, and complete them within deadlines.
- Leadership skills to inspire, motivate, lead, develop, and coach people, recognizing that building a team is critical to the Company’s success.
Qualifications
- 10+ years Design experience.
- Exceptional knowledge of relevant culture, trends, and the Urban Outfitters customers.
- Outstanding level of taste evidenced in professional design portfolio.
- Demonstrated understanding of the retail industry and ability to identify product opportunities and offer innovative design solutions.
- Expert-level technical knowledge of apparel construction.
- Expert-level knowledge of fabric and trims as well as strong relationships with resources.
- Extensive knowledge of fabric treatments as well as wash and dye techniques.
- Extensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques and processes.
- Willing to relocate and reside in or within a commutable distance to Philadelphia, PA.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design or related field preferred.
Location
On-site Philadelphia, PA
Travel
Some travel may be required.
Salary Range
If Applicable
Urban Outfitters, Inc. 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. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair, and respectful work environment.
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