2026-2027 Design Leadership Development Program – Full Time and Summer Internship

Abercrombie & Fitch•Columbus, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The A&F Leadership Development Programs are highly competitive initiatives, unique for their entrepreneurial structure, and provide immediate exposure to senior level leaders. With a “promote from within” mentality, these programs have been designed to shape top candidates into the future leaders of our company. We want students who are motivated, creative, and strategic – natural leaders seeking to drive results in a team-based environment. The comprehensive programs will include: Combination of classroom sessions and on-the-job training Relationship with a mentor to guide learning in the new role Interactive presentations from a variety of senior leaders in the company An open and inclusive learning environment with fellow associates Integrated social activities to help transition to Columbus and the unique corporate culture at A&F Preparation to effectively manage a portion of the business in one of our critical areas at Home Office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or junior status working towards a bachelor’s degree
Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Passion for the A&F brands and the role
Ability to identify and interpret relevant fashion trends
Solid technical skills with an impeccable taste level and eye for color
Detail-oriented with excellent time management and organizational skills
Career-driven, strong work ethic and high-performance standards
Strong communication and presentation skills
A collaborative approach to working with cross-functional partners to achieve the vision of the brand
A strong desire for adventure & curiosity
Ability to adapt and work in a fast-paced, structured environment
Desire to learn & hunger for more!
Students must also submit their unofficial transcripts, portfolios and resumes, complete with cumulative GPA.

Responsibilities

APPAREL DESIGN (Full-Time & Internship): A&F Apparel Designers create high quality, aspirational product for each of our unique lifestyle brands. The designer's role at A&F is to take the product from the initial concept through the production of the garment. Designers stay on top of emerging trends through shopping the market, researching vintage, and staying in tune with our customers. This creative research fuels the big picture trend and mood direction at the beginning of each season. Designers focus on every aspect of product development, from fabric and trim selection to editing how the garment fits on live models.
TECHNICAL DESIGN (Full-Time ONLY): A&F Technical Designers translate flat sketches and trim sheets into physical garments by building detailed tech packs and constructing garments. They are responsible for creating detailed technical illustrations, editing paper patterns, and creating patterns from scratch when necessary. Our technical designers lead cross-functional fit sessions and communicate with vendors and factories to bring our vision to life. They work closely with Apparel Designers, Merchants, and Sourcing Specialists to protect quality construction and fit for each product category.
CAD DESIGN (Full-Time & Internship): A &F CAD Designers create seasonal print, pattern, and embroidery work for all product categories within one of our brands. CAD designers bring their inspiration and research to life at our state-of-the-art Innovation & Design Center and partner with Apparel Designers and Merchants to keep prints and patterns ahead of the competition and right for our customer. CAD Designers are highly creative and possess a keen eye for trend and color.
GRAPHIC APPAREL DESIGN (Full-Time & Internship): A&F Apparel Graphic Designers bring our brands to life through layout, typography, color, and overall great graphic design. They develop seasonal graphic concepts for a range of apparel categories and develop cutting edge print, applique, and embroidery techniques in each brand’s handwriting. Collaborating with merchants and apparel designers, Apparel Graphic Designers bring our apparel to life through their trend right graphics.