Director, Apparel Design

SanMar Employee Board • Issaquah, WA

7d • $160,000 - $235,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Design defines and drives the creative future of a multi-brand portfolio spanning private label and licensed retail brands. This role sits at the intersection of culture, consumer insight, and product innovation, shaping brand-defining creative direction that is trend-relevant, commercially impactful, and brand right. This senior creative leader sets a clear and compelling creative point of view—translating consumer needs, market shifts, and consumer signals into forward-thinking seasonal concepts and elevated product execution across apparel, bags, and headwear. They inspire teams to push beyond the expected, challenging conventions while delivering design that is purposeful, differentiated, and scalable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent design experience
• 10+ years of progressive creative leadership experience within apparel, accessories, or consumer lifestyle brands
• Demonstrated success leading multiple brand identities with distinct creative strategies
• Strong portfolio showcasing concept-led design, seasonal storytelling, and innovation across product categories
• Proven ability to mentor, inspire, and elevate creative teams
• Deep understanding of apparel, bag, and headwear design, materials, and production processes
• Exceptional storytelling, presentation, and stakeholder-influencing skills

Responsibilities

• Establish and champion a powerful creative vision across multiple brand identities, ensuring each brand is distinct, authentic, and consumer relevant.
• Translate macro trends, consumer insights, and market dynamics into meaningful creative direction and product storytelling.
• Define clear seasonal frameworks—concepts, narratives, color, materials, graphics, and silhouettes—that guide ideation through execution.
• Drive innovation in design, materials, and construction while honoring brand DNA and commercial realities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing creative team, fostering a culture of curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead with a deep understanding of the consumer—anticipating needs, behaviors, and emotional drivers to create product that resonates and performs.
• Identify and leverage emerging trends, cultural movements, and competitive insights to keep brands ahead of the curve.
• Elevate ideation and design output across apparel, bags, and headwear, setting a high bar for concept, craft, and storytelling.
• Ensure product lines feel cohesive, intentional, and differentiated across seasons and brand portfolios.
• Guide the refinement of concepts into best-in-class execution, from initial inspiration through final product approval.
• Establish best in class design processes that evolve to meet future business objectives.
• Partner closely with product, merchandising, marketing, and leadership teams to align creative vision with business objectives.
• Ensure resources and budgets are planned and utilized effectively to meet evolving business needs.
• Present and articulate creative direction with clarity and conviction to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Ensure creative processes support speed, consistency, and scalability across multiple brands and categories.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

Benefits

• You`ll earn between $160,000 - $235,000 annually, depending on experience.
• You`ll be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus up to 20% of base salary.
• You`ll accrue paid time off on a bi-weekly basis based on hours worked up to 152 hours per year to start. Employees also receive 8 paid holidays and 1 paid family day off.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401k plan and matches $1 for $1 up to 4% of earnings, matched & vested at every pay cycle
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pet insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director