Design Director, Footwear

Marc Jacobs•New York, NY

1d•$190,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Marc Jacobs International, powered by the creative genius of Marc Jacobs, seeks a Design Director to join the Footwear Design team based in its New York City (SoHo) headquarters. This role will direct shoe design teams in creating product collections that embody the Marc Jacobs spirit, working alongside Creative Leadership to contribute innovative and highly creative ideas to enhance the design strategy. The Design Director will provide shoe design direction across a range of price points and distributions, including Runway, Mainline, and Outlet collections, fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation. They will develop impactful inspirational boards, deliver critical solutions throughout the creative design and development lifecycle while adhering to the merchandising plan and development calendar, and forge synergistic alliances with cross-category teams to create a unified collection. This role also involves selecting and reviewing materials and trims, collaborating with Product Development and Materials teams, and serving as a key participant in all critical product meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Art, Fashion Design, or other related field.
12+ years design experience with demonstrated success.
7+ years of team management.
Extensive knowledge and experience in the accessories market, specializing in shoe design and development.
Exhibit a refined eye for color, fashion, and product combined with a comprehensive awareness of current market trends.
Possess a comprehensive understanding of the design and product development lifecycle.
Demonstrate a strong aptitude for both design execution and conceptual design development.
Proficient in organization, time management, and both written and verbal communication, with a proven ability to deliver engaging presentations.
Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Office applications.
Excellent taste level & brand awareness.

Responsibilities

Direct shoe design team in creating product collections that embody the Marc Jacobs spirit.
Work alongside the Creative Leadership to contribute innovative and highly creative ideas to enhance the design strategy.
Shoe Design Direction across a range of price- point and distributions, and adapt creative approach accordingly: Runway, Mainline and Outlet collections.
Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation to maximize creative potential.
Develop impactful inspirational boards that guide and shape the seasonal design aesthetic.
Deliver critical solutions throughout the creative design and development lifecycle while adhering to the merchandising plan and development calendar.
Forge synergistic alliances with cross category teams to create a unified collection.
Select and review materials and trims, collaborating with Product Development and Materials teams.
Serve as a key participant in all critical product meetings.
Guide and motivate the design team to develop original, solution-oriented products that capture the essence of the Marc Jacobs brand.
Partner with Design Directors on other categories.
Inspire creative thinking within the team and encourage the development of novel concepts that build upon the brand's defining products.
Mentor, inspire, and develop the design team to achieve exceptional performance.
Ensure the organization and archiving of development samples.
Sketch, spec, and precise handoff detailing for launches.
Review and correct development samples to maintain comprehensive product knowledge, monitoring all modifications.
Provide technical expertise for new constructions/lasts.
Communicate technical information to factories for design goals and tech pack clarity.
Develop detailed technical specifications using Adobe Illustrator for accurate tech packs.
Provide technical feedback during line reviews for consistency.
Identify and resolve technical challenges, collaborating with PD team.
Recognize cost-effective engineering and material optimization opportunities.
Maintain timely communication with factories.
Organize AI and PDF files of sketches, artwork, color ups and tech packs in the archiving system.
Develop and maintain Illustrator component libraries.