Anthropologie Design Director - Sweaters & Knits

Role Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal line planning to ensure product direction aligns with market trends, brand vision, and overall business strategy.
• Drive trend forecasting and market analysis to inform design direction and maintain the brand’s competitive positioning.
• Establish and guide the conceptual vision for product categories, translating inspiration into cohesive design strategies.
• Provide leadership and oversight to Assistant and Associate Designers, prioritizing initiatives and delegating responsibilities to optimize team performance and workflow.
• Oversee global sourcing strategies for raw materials, partnering with Product Development to innovate within cost and margin targets.
• Direct cross-functional collaboration with Product Development and Technical Design to ensure design intent, specifications, and product integrity are maintained throughout development.
• Lead and influence key design reviews, including fittings and cross-functional meetings, to ensure product quality and brand consistency.
• Partner with global vendors and factories to support product innovation, development, and successful program execution.
• Build, mentor, and develop design talent, fostering a high-performing team and strengthening the organization’s creative capabilities.

Role Qualifications

• Highly creative design leader with a proven ability to anticipate and translate global fashion and cultural trends into product strategies that resonate with the Anthropologie customer.
• Advanced understanding of global knit and woven manufacturing processes, enabling strategic collaboration with development and production partners to deliver high-quality, commercially viable product.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business objectives, customer insights, and market opportunities into compelling design direction that drives brand growth and category performance.
• Strong organizational and leadership capabilities with a track record of managing multiple initiatives, setting priorities, and guiding teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Collaborative and influential partner with exceptional communication skills, able to align cross-functional teams across Design, Buying, Product Development, and Production.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design and productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator; experience with WebPDM or similar PLM systems preferred.
• Excellent hand sketching and visual communication skills used to articulate design vision and mentor emerging design talent.
• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience in knitwear design, including leadership experience within contemporary or lifestyle brands.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Business, or a related field preferred.

The Perks

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees, including medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings, and much more!

EEO Statement

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment.