Vice President Design (temporary/interim)
About The Position
The Interim Vice President of Design is responsible for managing the design team and ensuring development execution of the Creative Director’s seasonal design vision and strategy across the handbag, SLG, and apparel collections. This role translates the Creative Director’s vision into commercially successful collections while balancing creativity, innovation, operational efficiency, and business objectives. The Interim VP of Design partners closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Planning, and Executive Leadership to ensure collections align with brand strategy, calendar milestones, profitability goals, and customer needs. This is an interim appointment from mid-October 2026 to mid-March 2027, including a defined overlap period at both the commencement and conclusion of the term to facilitate a comprehensive transition with the full-time VP. Clare V. is seeking a candidate with established familiarity with the brand and a thorough understanding of product development processes, enabling them to contribute meaningfully from the outset.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree in Fashion Design, Fine Arts, or related design field
- Minimum 15+ years of relevant industry experience designing and developing handbags/accessories
- Progressive experience in handbag, accessories, or fashion design, including leadership experience managing creative teams
- Strong understanding of the full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization
- Expert knowledge of handbag construction, leather, materials, sourcing, and manufacturing processes
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing creative teams
- Strong strategic thinking, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional leadership abilities
- Demonstrated experience balancing creative vision with business objectives and profitability goals
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Excel, and PLM systems
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working with domestic and international factories and development partners
- Familiarity with WFX PLM or similar product lifecycle management systems
- Strong understanding of the Clare V. brand aesthetic and customer lifestyle
Nice To Haves
- Established familiarity with the Clare V. brand
- Experience in luxury, contemporary, or accessories-focused fashion brands
- Experience with assortment planning, merchandising strategy, and SKU optimization
Responsibilities
- Implement the seasonal design direction for handbags, small leather goods, apparel, and accessories in partnership with the Founder and Creative Director
- Translate creative vision into commercially viable assortments aligned with brand positioning and business objectives
- Drive strategic thinking around product assortments, category growth, customer needs, and long-term brand evolution
- Partner with Product Development, Production, Merchandising, and Planning teams to establish annual and seasonal calendars, milestones, and development priorities
- Ensure design concepts are aligned with cost targets, margin expectations, development ratios, and operational capabilities
- Oversee the design development lifecycle, including sketches, CADs, tech packs, fittings, sample reviews, and market presentations
- Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize assortments, SKU productivity, and seasonal product strategies based on sales analysis and business performance
- Lead collection reviews, milestone meetings, and market presentations with clarity, organization, and strategic direction
- Lead, coach, and mentor the Design team to ensure strong performance, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth
- Foster and maintain a creative, inclusive, collaborative, and solution-oriented team culture
- Manage internal and freelance design resources, ensuring workload optimization and efficient execution across categories
- Drive operational efficiency and profitability through optimization of development ratios, sample counts, budgets, timelines, and resource allocation
- Ensure teams are working effectively against calendar deadlines while maintaining design integrity and quality standards
- Balance creative innovation with financial responsibility and operational execution
Benefits
- Bi-Weekly salary range of $5,000 to $7,700
- Generous employee discounts
- A fully stocked kitchen with healthy snacks and beverages
- Monthly catered lunches
- Quarterly team-building events, including meaningful volunteer outings
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Manager
