Director - Design Studio Operations
At Gap Inc., we create culture as much as we create clothes. Our ambition is to become a high‑performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture. Our portfolio—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta—each brings a distinct point of view to how we show up in the world and serve our customers. Old Navy democratizes style with quality and value for all. Gap champions originality through essential pieces that celebrate individuality. Banana Republic is rooted in a spirit of discovery, creating modern pieces inspired by craftsmanship and travel. Athleta champions the Power of She through confidence, strength, and movement. We’re driven by a shared purpose: to bridge gaps—between people, perspectives, and possibilities—to create a better world.
About the Role
The Director of Design Studio Operations drives clarity and execution across the Accessories design organization. This role owns the operational backbone of the Design team—partnering closely with the VP of Design and the broader team to manage seasonal workflows, timelines, tools, meeting outputs, and key milestones. While embedded in Design, the role operates across Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Planning, and other cross‑functional partners to ensure design intent is clearly communicated and executed. The goal is to elevate how Design operates and to strengthen how it partners across the Accessories cross‑functional team.
Responsibilities
- Lead and drive predictable, efficient, and scalable design execution across seasonal workflows, timelines, milestones, and decision points.
- Own design priorities, inputs, deliverables, follow‑ups, and communication across the Accessories cross‑functional team.
- Proactively identify and resolve process, communication, and execution gaps that impact the team’s effectiveness, speed, and delivery.
- Translate creative direction into clear documentation, decks, recaps, and meeting outputs.
- Lead the organization and evolution of seasonal design decks, collaborative tools, materials, trim, and color resources.
- Ensure design intent—materials, trims, color, and development priorities—is captured and communicated.
- Lead preparation for key design reviews, milestone meetings, and cross‑functional touchpoints.
- Act as the connective tissue between Design and cross‑functional partners—Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Planning, and related teams.
- Own agendas, attendees, recaps, action items, and follow‑ups for key design‑related meetings.
- Continuously refine ways of working to improve speed, clarity, and cross‑functional alignment.
Qualifications
- Exceptional organizational leadership and follow‑through.
- Strong strategic communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to create structure in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments.
- Strong understanding of the design process and how Design connects to product development.
- Ability to influence and keep cross‑functional partners aligned.
- Strategic problem‑solving skills with the ability to anticipate risks and drive resolution to protect product pipeline deliverables.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Executive presence and comfort working with senior Design leaders and cross‑functional teams.
Pay
Salary Range: $160,800.00 – $209,100.00. Employee pay will vary based on qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies, and work location. We will meet minimum wage or the minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county, and state requirements.
Benefits
- Merchandise discount: 50% off regular‑priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta; 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
- Up to five “on the clock” volunteer hours each month.
- One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.
- Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to 4% of base pay.
- Employee stock purchase plan.
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
- Additional benefits available (see more of the benefits we offer).