Associate Director, Styling

About the role

The Associate Director of Styling is responsible for defining, evolving, and executing the overall styling identity across all touchpoints, including e-commerce studio, editorial campaigns, social channels, marketing assets, and in person retail experiences. This role blends exceptional creative taste with operational excellence, leading a team of in-house and freelance stylists.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and story-telling of all seasonal outfitting for lifestyle campaigns
• Establish, maintain, and continually evolve the styling guidelines and visual identity for the brand
• Translate high-level seasonal brand concepts, merchandising and marketing strategies into easy yet aspirational outfitting that inspires the customer conversion
• Oversee the styling for all major campaigns, lookbooks, e-commerce product imagery, video content, and social media channels
• Ensure absolute consistency in aesthetic, fit, and trend relevance across all styling teams and studio locations
• Be able to execute an exquisite level of fit integrity in order to maintain no retouching brand standards
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of full-time stylists, assistants, and coordinators
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and highly creative culture that encourages innovation and stays ahead of industry trends
• Partner closely with Studio Operations, Production and Photographers to optimize workflow, ensuring high-volume e-commerce turnarounds meet strict deadlines without sacrificing aesthetic quality
• Collaborate with merchandising and buying teams to ensure key products and seasonal trends are strategically prioritized and styled to maximize commercial impact
• Oversee at a high level and support the lab store styling team across all formats on the execution of key looks that maintain styling and merchandising big ideas and strategies
• Work alongside Art Directors, Marketing Leads, and Digital teams to create cohesive multi-channel campaign looks for all seasonal marketing needs
• Interface with the Design and Merchandising teams to deeply understand product stories, fabrication, and intended fit, translating that knowledge seamlessly onto set

Requirements

• 8–10+ years of professional styling experience within e-commerce, retail, fashion media, or agency environments
• 3–5 years in a leadership role managing a team of stylists and creatives
• Diverse portfolio showcasing expertise in both high-volume e-commerce and elevated editorial/campaign styling
• Intuitive understanding of current market trends, luxury vs. commercial styling techniques, and digital/social consumer behavior
• Proven track record of managing and developing creative teams, navigating fast-paced environments, and giving constructive, clear visual feedback

Qualifications

• Exceptional creative taste and operational excellence
• Ability to lead and inspire a team of stylists and creatives
• Experience in creating and maintaining styling guidelines and visual identity
• Strong ability to translate high-level brand concepts into compelling outfitting
• Experience in managing and developing creative teams
• Understanding of current market trends, luxury vs. commercial styling techniques, and digital/social consumer behavior
• Proven track record of managing and developing creative teams, navigating fast-paced environments, and giving constructive, clear visual feedback

Skills

• Exceptional creative vision and branding
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of current market trends and consumer behavior
• Experience in managing and developing creative teams

Benefits

• Generous Associate Discount
• Summer Fridays (For Pittsburgh, NYC and Remote Corporate Associates)
• Casual Dress Code
• Hybrid Schedule
• In-Person Connection
• FOMO (Fun Office Moments Only) Events
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service
• Health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental)
• Wellness benefits
• 401(k) retirement benefits
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee stock purchase program
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Parental leave and benefits
• Discretionary bonuses and other incentives at the discretion of AEO

Pay

Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location. Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits. Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service.

Schedule

Full time

Contact

To apply, please visit [Apply Before date if applicable] or contact [Contact information]