Design Director, Kids Fashion & Athletic Footwear

About the role

We are seeking a highly creative, strategic, and commercially driven Design Director, Kids Fashion & Athletic Footwear. This role requires a balance of creative leadership, trend forecasting, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative direction and seasonal design strategy across kids fashion, athletic, casual, and licensed footwear categories
• Develop innovative product concepts that align with brand positioning, customer needs, and market trends
• Drive trend research, consumer insights, competitive analysis, and seasonal storytelling to inform product direction
• Oversee the design process from concept through commercialization, ensuring design integrity throughout development
• Create and direct footwear concepts, materials, color palettes, constructions, and silhouette direction across multiple product categories
• Partner closely with Product Development, Merchandising, Sales, Sourcing, and Production teams to execute seasonal assortments
• Lead collaboration with licensors to ensure products align with brand standards and approval processes
• Manage communication with overseas factories and development partners regarding prototypes, sample revisions, and commercialization timelines
• Review prototypes and wear-test feedback to refine fit, function, comfort, and performance attributes
• Drive material innovation, construction improvements, and cost engineering initiatives while maintaining design intent
• Present seasonal concepts, line reviews, and product strategies to senior leadership and external partners
• Build, mentor, and develop design talent while fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment
• Ensure calendar adherence and manage multiple categories and deadlines simultaneously

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of footwear design experience with significant experience in kids footwear, athletic footwear, or licensed product categories
• Proven experience leading footwear design teams and managing multiple product categories simultaneously
• Strong understanding of kids consumer behavior, fashion trends, athletic performance trends, and marketplace dynamics
• Expertise in footwear construction, materials, fit, costing, and development processes
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop with strong sketching and visual storytelling skills
• Experience creating tech packs, specifications, and product documentation for global development teams
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence across departments
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with shifting priorities

Preferred Experience

• Experience working across licensed brands and approval processes
• Experience partnering with overseas factories and global sourcing teams
• Background within mass market, off-price, fashion footwear, or high-volume retail environments
• Understanding of sustainability initiatives, innovative materials, and emerging footwear technologies
• Passion for kids product, storytelling, trend forecasting, and consumer-first design