Free People Director of Technical Design

URBN•Philadelphia, PA

10d

About The Position

URBN is looking for a Director of Technical Design for Free People. The Director of Technical Design will run the Free People collection TD team which includes all Technical design levels from Assoc Managers to assistant TD’s. This role will have regular TB’s with cross functional partners in PD, Production, Design and Buying as well as working closely with URBN regional office partners. This role also partners closely with other TD brands, participating in regular meetings with the Senior Director of URBN Technical Design and TD Directors and Managers from FP Movement, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters brands to review department goals, resources and technical design practices across URBN. This leader will build great teams and actively engages them (develops, coaches, sets expectations & provides feedback). Sets team goals and makes management decisions. Proactively mentors and coaches others. Monitors team workload and pivots as needed to adjust to business demands including directly covering and processing as needed. The FP TD director will lead the FP TD team into continued digital transformation where they will continue to build and grow their current 3D knowledge and build and refine best practices so that all teams can make decisions digitally while still keeping brand fit and quality standards the highest priorities. The director will closely monitor both digital and virtual samples. Works cross-functionally, with team members at all levels, to develop strategy for FP collection and execute on projects. Regularly solicits and integrates supplier, process, and team feedback from stakeholders as appropriate. Expected to drive decisions and manage output of team to ensure all calendar deadlines are met or exceeded. Determines solutions and arranges resources to fulfill plans of action. Recognizes operational weaknesses or roadblocks and proactively identifies opportunities to improve quality and velocity of team's work. Exhibits high quality feedback skills in dealing with cross functional partners and regional office partners; helps others mature their feedback skills. Sets an example for cross-functional and regional collaboration. Shares relevant information and knowledge widely.

Requirements

10+ years of Senior Technical Design Manager experience or higher.
An experienced people manager. Leader of leaders.
Extremely flexible and adaptable to handle a fast-paced work environment.
Ability to deal with quick changes in priorities.
Ability to guide and mentor direct reports in handling change management.
Expert in fit standards, construction and tolerances in a variety of knit and woven apparel including denim, intimate apparel, structured woven's, outerwear, heavy weight knits and soft woven's.
Expert level experience in dealing with multiple washes in both woven's and knits.
Advanced knowledge of garment testing and the effects of washes on specific woven & knit fabrics, specific fiber content and trims.
Experience in handling multiple overlapping calendars including wholesale and retail, chase and late add.
Experience with pattern making.
Experience with Clo 3D software.
Experience coaching teams using software to conduct 3D fittings live with design and buying teams.
Proactive and excellent communicator who can handle working with multiple members of large teams and individuals of all levels.
Experience in traveling internationally, factory/production lines and QA processes.

Responsibilities

Run the Free People collection TD team, including all Technical design levels from Assoc Managers to assistant TD’s.
Have regular TB’s with cross functional partners in PD, Production, Design and Buying.
Work closely with URBN regional office partners.
Partner closely with other TD brands, participating in regular meetings with the Senior Director of URBN Technical Design and TD Directors and Managers from FP Movement, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters brands to review department goals, resources and technical design practices across URBN.
Build great teams and actively engages them (develops, coaches, sets expectations & provides feedback).
Set team goals and make management decisions.
Proactively mentor and coach others.
Monitor team workload and pivot as needed to adjust to business demands including directly covering and processing as needed.
Lead the FP TD team into continued digital transformation, building and growing 3D knowledge and refining best practices for digital decision-making while maintaining brand fit and quality standards.
Closely monitor both digital and virtual samples.
Develop strategy for FP collection and execute on projects, working cross-functionally with team members at all levels.
Regularly solicit and integrate supplier, process, and team feedback from stakeholders.
Drive decisions and manage team output to ensure all calendar deadlines are met or exceeded.
Determine solutions and arrange resources to fulfill plans of action.
Recognize operational weaknesses or roadblocks and proactively identify opportunities to improve quality and velocity of team's work.
Exhibit high-quality feedback skills in dealing with cross-functional and regional office partners.
Help others mature their feedback skills.
Set an example for cross-functional and regional collaboration.
Share relevant information and knowledge widely.