VP Design - Athleisure
About The Position
We are seeking an inspiring, forward-thinking Vice President of Design – Athleisure to lead the creative vision, product innovation strategy, and long-term design roadmap for our branded and private-label athleisure business. This executive leader will shape the future of our athleisure portfolio by driving concept creation, design excellence, and market differentiation across categories. This role oversees the full creative lifecycle, from high-level concept development through commercialization. This role will play a critical part in ensuring our collections deliver elevated style, modern functionality, superior quality, and strong financial performance. The VP will lead and develop a multi-disciplinary design organization while partnering closely with Product Development, Sourcing, Merchandising, Sales, and Production to bring compelling, consumer-first collections to market.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field; advanced credentials a plus.
- 10+ years of progressive design experience in athleisure, lifestyle apparel, or performance apparel, with 5+ years in a senior leadership or executive role.
- Deep expertise in garment construction, fabric innovation, stretch and knit technologies, and fit specific to athleisure.
- Mastery of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CAD platforms, and PLM systems.
- Demonstrated success leading both branded and private label collections from concept to market.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strategic mindset with a refined aesthetic sensibility and strong commercial acumen.
- Proven experience working with global supply chains, overseas vendors, and end-to-end product development calendars.
- Ability to lead in a fast-paced, matrixed environment while balancing creativity with business strategy.
Responsibilities
- Define and steer the overarching creative direction, aesthetic identity, and design strategy for the athleisure category across all brands, labels, and key retail partners.
- Build and communicate a long-term design vision aligned with company growth objectives, market opportunities, and evolving consumer behavior.
- Champion innovation in fabric, silhouette, color, sustainability, and product functionality to ensure ongoing brand relevance and competitive advantage.
- Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of designers, CAD artists, and technical creatives; establish a culture of creativity, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
- Set clear expectations, guide performance management, and ensure constant improvement in creative capabilities and processes.
- Oversee all phases of the design and development process, from concept ideation and color direction through proto review, fittings, and final sample approval.
- Ensure collections reflect brand DNA, market trends, margin requirements, and quality standards across all sizes and product categories.
- Develop and oversee seasonal line architecture, ensuring a cohesive and strategically balanced assortment that meets revenue and consumer goals.
- Collaborate closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development to align design intent with cost, margin, and timeline goals.
- Partner with factories, mills, and global vendors to drive innovation in materials, construction, and wash techniques while maintaining production feasibility.
- Support Sales in key customer presentations and align seasonal storytelling with market opportunities.
- Own the design organization’s budget including sampling, materials, tools, travel, and external resources.
- Oversee adherence to product calendars, ensuring all teams meet milestone deadlines with precision and clarity.
- Leverage market research, competitor insights, trend forecasting, and consumer analytics to inform design strategies and category growth.
Benefits
- Multi-brand merchandise discount, including Splendid, 7 For All Mankind, and PJ Salvage
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, as well as Basic Life/Voluntary Life/Disability/Critical Illness
- Financial Wellness: 401(k) Retirement Program with Company match and 529 College Savings Plan, as well as Tax-Advantage Health & Transit Accounts
- Personal and sick time off, vacation time, floating days, and company-observed holidays
- Paid Volunteer Time Off to dedicate your skills and time towards charitable activities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
