Director – Outdoor Apparel Design
:
: CCS / Outdoor
Direct Reporting Line:Senior Design Director
Indirect/secondary reporting line:
: China
Number of Personnel Managed:see org. chart
Responsibilities
- Create and direct the seasonal creative narratives, ranges, and product stories, ensuring alignment across product type, colour, materials, and graphics
- Oversee the complete creative process, identifying industry trends in colour, materials, and graphics, and influence merchandising and assortment strategies
- Distil abstract business concepts and customer needs into creative solutions
- Take responsibility for the creative vision and the standard of output across team members who work under her/him
- Pitch ideas confidently and present the creative vision clearly to stakeholders, as well as communicate in the same manner to members of the design team
- Have strong people management and leadership skills to hire, develop, and inspire the design team
- Ensure that all the team’s creative output/visuals are consistent with the overall brand’s identity and qualitative level
- Lead multiple projects from conception to completion in accordance with deadlines
- Agility to manage and supervise unexpected projects, feedback, and people factors
- Collaborate with other team membersrelevant functions to ensure alignment with the strategic priorities of the brands
- Champion new ideas, ask smart questions, take risks
- Drive the identification of long-term and seasonal trends within the industry, contributing to innovative retail strategies that keep the brand ahead of the curve
- Guide and optimize the creative process to ensure that final products not only align with brand image but also meet commercial objectives
- Develop and implement Design and Creation strategies for key projects, setting a high standard for design excellence and expectations throughout the organization
- Lead and mentor the design team both creatively and organizationally, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration
- lead and inspire a team of talented designers, creating meaningful and engaging experiences for users, and growing and developing your own skills and career
- Ensure the correct execution of Corporate Identity guidelines and against legal restrictions within the category
Key Stakeholders
- Product Marketing (PM)
- Product Development (DA)
- Business Unit (BU)
- Senior Design Director
- Design Team members
- Brand Marketing & Retail Marketing
- External Resources
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree / Masters / Fashion Design,or equivalent professional experience
- A minimum of 8 or more years of experience as a senior-level designer. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience directing outdoor brands,with a proven track record of successful projects
- A minimum of3-5 years of management and leadership experience, demonstrating the ability to drive teams toward achieving strategic goals
- Exceptional creative vision and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team
- Excellent knowledge and solid hard skill over outdoor/technical wear (e.g. Goretex, Pertex, Polartec, seam-sealing, insulation, etc.)
- Strong Industry knowledge and high sensitivity of trend that able to conduct and incorporate it into the design work
- Experienced in collaboration projects (crossover fashion & functional outdoor) with external partner is preferable
- Ability to work with stakeholders to understand detailed requirements and determine a plan that will ensure they are met or exceeded, be open to receiving feedback and constructive criticism
- Excellent interpersonal skills to clearly and effectively communicate the creative vision, concepts, ideas, and solutions to stakeholders, internal teams, and clients
- Ability to work effectively in a team setting, including synthesizing abstract ideas into concrete design implications
- Extensive supervisory experience (including leadership, team-building, and delegation) leading and managing a creative team
- Be excited about collaborating and communicating closely with teams and other stakeholders via a distributed model to regularly deliver design solutions for approval
- With Performance wear experience is desirable and prioritized
- Fluency in English/ Mandarin with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficient in Adobe Suite and MS Office.
- Suitable candidates should also apply with their portfolios