Free People Director of Technical Design

About the role

URBN is looking for a Director of Technical Design for Free People. The Director will run the Free People collection technical design (TD) team, which includes all technical design levels from Associate Managers to Assistant TDs. This role will have regular TBs with cross‑functional partners in Product Development, Production, Design, and Buying, as well as working closely with URBN regional office partners. The Director also partners closely with other TD brands, participating in regular meetings with the Senior Director of URBN Technical Design and TD Directors and Managers from FP Movement, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters to review department goals, resources, and technical design practices across URBN. The leader will build great teams, develop, coach, set expectations, provide feedback, set team goals, make management decisions, and proactively mentor and coach others. They will monitor team workload and pivot as needed, including directly covering and processing work when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the FP TD team into continued digital transformation, building and growing 3D knowledge and refining best practices while keeping brand fit and quality standards as top priorities.
• Closely monitor both digital and virtual samples.
• Work cross‑functionally with team members at all levels to develop strategy for the FP collection and execute projects.
• Regularly solicit and integrate supplier, process, and team feedback from stakeholders.
• Drive decisions and manage output of the team to ensure all calendar deadlines are met or exceeded.
• Determine solutions and arrange resources to fulfill plans of action.
• Identify operational weaknesses or roadblocks and proactively improve quality and velocity of the team’s work.
• Exhibit high‑quality feedback skills with cross‑functional and regional partners; help others mature their feedback skills.
• Set an example for cross‑functional and regional collaboration, sharing relevant information and knowledge widely.
• Build and develop great teams—coach, set expectations, provide feedback, set goals, and make management decisions.
• Monitor team workload and pivot as needed, including directly covering and processing work when required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior technical design manager experience or higher.
• Proven people‑management experience; a leader of leaders.
• Extreme flexibility and adaptability in a fast‑paced environment, with the ability to handle rapid changes in priorities.
• Expertise in fit standards, construction, and tolerances across a variety of knit and woven apparel, including denim, intimate apparel, structured wovens, outerwear, heavyweight knits, and soft wovens.
• Expert‑level experience with multiple washes in both woven and knit fabrics.
• Advanced knowledge of garment testing and the effects of washes on specific woven & knit fabrics, fiber content, and trims.
• Experience handling multiple overlapping calendars (wholesale, retail, chase, late add).
• Experience with pattern making, CLO 3D software, and coaching teams to conduct 3D fittings live with design and buying teams.
• Proactive, excellent communicator able to work with large teams and individuals at all levels.
• International travel experience, including factory/production line exposure and QA processes.

Benefits

URBN offers comprehensive perks and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, generous employee discounts, retirement savings, and more. Availability and eligibility may depend on location and employment status. For additional information, visit URBN Benefits.