Design Director, 525 America

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and drive the creative vision and seasonal direction for the Women’s Sweaters category
• Design and develop trend-driven knitwear, with a focus on yarn development, stitch innovation, and silhouette evolution
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of designers, promoting creativity, collaboration, and high-quality execution
• Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, and Marketing teams to deliver cohesive assortments that meet brand and business goals
• Research and interpret market trends, yarn technologies, and knit techniques to inform design direction
• Oversee the creation of detailed tech packs, including knit specifications, gauge, stitch construction, and yarn details
• Participate in fittings, providing guidance on fit, proportion, and knit construction to ensure optimal garment performance
• Collaborate closely with mills and vendors to develop exclusive yarns and innovative knit structures
• Manage timelines and workflow to support on-time development and production

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field
• 8+ years of design experience, with a strong focus on sweaters/knitwear
• Proven experience leading and developing design teams
• Strong expertise in knit construction, yarn development, and sweater engineering
• Ability to translate brand vision into commercially successful knitwear collections
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office
• Excellent understanding of garment fit, construction, and manufacturing processes specific to knitwear
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Pay

Annual Salary: $175,000

The offered salary for this position will vary based on role requirements determined by NYC Alliance, skill set and years of experience.