Designer, Footwear
About the role
Anchored in the casual elegance of American sportswear, Tory’s design philosophy is defined by effortless silhouettes, innovative materials, eclectic juxtapositions of color, and the tension of past and present. Empowering women is the company’s guiding principle, expressed through Tory’s collections and reflected in the company culture as well as the work of the Tory Burch Foundation. Established in 2009, the Foundation provides women entrepreneurs in the United States with access to capital, education and community.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Sr. Design Director to develop and refine seasonal footwear concepts, materials, hardware, and color palettes.
- Create sketches and product prototypes throughout the conceptual design process.
- Develop clear, concise, and thoughtful tech packs, including style details, panels, hardware, construction, and all necessary components.
- Manage timelines and ensure designs are completed accurately and delivered to Product Development on time; ensure prototypes are available for product presentations and finalization.
- Proactively follow up with Product Development and Merchandising partners, providing updates and clarifications throughout the process to maintain design intent and ensure proper execution.
- Uphold design integrity and ensure high-quality execution throughout the entire development process, from concept through engineering and commercialization.
- Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Product Development, and Technical Design teams and actively participate in regular meetings.
- Travel internationally on a seasonal basis and partner with colleagues and factories overseas.
- Adhere to seasonal product milestone calendars and ensure the category meets all key deadlines.
Requirements
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of footwear design experience, preferably within a luxury or premium fashion environment.
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- Strong hand-sketching and Illustrator skills.
- Ability to independently build detailed, organized, and clear tech packs and pass specifications to factories for prototype development.
- Experience developing product directly with factories, with a strong understanding of the process from concept through engineering and commercialization.
- Strong understanding of footwear materials, hardware, leather, and construction.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Willingness to learn, grow, and take on new challenges.
- Resourceful problem-solver with the ability to apply creative thinking to challenges.
- Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple product seasons simultaneously.
- Must provide a digital portfolio showcasing relevant work.
Why you’ll want to join our team
Every style has a story and that story begins in Design. Our wildly creative team of dreamers and doers works together to bring Tory Burch’s unique vision to life. At every stage of the design process, our focus is on exciting our customer with pieces that are beautiful, timeless and exquisitely crafted. Along the way, we work with world class suppliers and artisans, and partner with premier mills and manufacturers to ensure that our designs meet our exacting standards for quality.
How we work together
- Adaptable – We change before we have to
- Entrepreneurial – We own it
- Collaborative – There’s no “I” in Tory
- Client & Brand Focused – We put ourselves in Tory’s shoes
- Live the Values – We show up for each other
- Functional Expertise – We’re constantly learning and growing
#TeamTory values
We show up with honesty & kindness, act with integrity & compassion, work with passion & humility and lead with excellence & humor.
Compensation range
The compensation range for this position is $95,000.00 – $125,000.00 USD. Our offer will be based on your relevant experience and work location.
Benefits information
- Generous benefits to help you take care of your mental and physical health, create financial security, and achieve wellness in all areas of your life.
- Employee discount and access to exclusive sample sales.
- Free executive coaching on-demand.
- Opportunities to give back through the Tory Burch Foundation and paid volunteer days.