Sr. Design Director - Women's Accessories

J.Crew • New York, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Sr. Design Director of Women's Accessories, you will work closely with the Creative Director of J.Crew Women's Design to define and execute the creative and strategic direction for our Women's Accessories product assortments. Your expertise in handbags, footwear, and small leather goods, coupled with strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, will ensure the success of our accessories collections as a key driver of the brand. Leading a team of designers, you will inspire creativity while delivering commercially successful, beautifully crafted products that embody the J.Crew aesthetic.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in accessories design, with deep knowledge of handbags, footwear, and jewelry including materials, construction techniques, and product development.
• Proven ability to create accessories collections that blend core, timeless styles with trend-forward innovation, enhancing the overall product line.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building, managing, and leading high-performing design teams.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Marketing teams to achieve business objectives.
• Advanced understanding of materials, construction methods, and quality standards specific to handbags, footwear, and accessories.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Accessories Design, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design vision for Women's Accessories across handbags, footwear, and small leather goods, creating cohesive assortments that balance trend-forward innovation with timeless J.Crew style and brand authenticity.
• Develop compelling assortments that ensure alignment with the broader Women's ready-to-wear product line and reinforce the brand identity.
• Design collections that complement and enhance the overall product offering while responding to market demands, customer insights, and emerging trends.
• Drive innovation by identifying opportunities for new silhouettes, materials, craftsmanship techniques, and brand-defining hero products across all accessory categories.
• Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of designers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and creative environment.
• Build and develop a talented design team, ensuring continuous growth, professional development, and design excellence.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Marketing teams to ensure seamless execution of the accessories assortment.
• Work closely with Sourcing to ensure the integrity of materials, construction, and fit while adhering to budget and timelines.
• Partner with Marketing to create compelling storytelling and campaigns that highlight the accessories collection's unique features, craftsmanship, and value.
• Stay ahead of market trends, competitor analysis, and consumer insights to position J.Crew as a leader in the accessories space.
• Translate market and customer insights into commercially successful designs that elevate the brand's accessories portfolio.

Benefits

• medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance
• family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support)
• fitness discounts
• medical travel
• associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell)
• Summer Fridays
• Community Impact
• Winter Break

What This Job Offers

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