Manager of Technical Design - Dresses

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced technical designer to head our Women’s Dresses team and uphold the brand’s standards for fit, construction, and quality. In this role, you’ll drive technical excellence across the full development process—from fit sessions to factory communications—while mentoring a team and collaborating closely with Design, Production, and Merchandising.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Technical Designers and Associate Technical Designers, fostering growth and ensuring high-quality execution of the design vision.
• Collaborate with Design, Production, and Merchandising teams to ensure seamless project execution and adherence to the PLC and production calendar.
• Manage comprehensive technical documentation, including tech packs, fit comments, specs, and bill of materials, while maintaining detailed data history for samples and patterns.
• Provide innovative solutions for fit challenges by conducting independent fit sessions, evaluating problems on live models, and translating corrections to patterns across a range of silhouettes, drapes, and linings.
• Coordinate information flow across fit processes, including sample tracking, tech log updates, and factory communications, while partnering with field representatives and vendors to resolve technical issues and ensure production feasibility.

Qualifications

Required:

• 9+ years of technical design experience with demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of grade rules, sewing techniques, and garment construction methods specific to dress product, including draping, linings, closures, and varied silhouettes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator with strong technical documentation skills.
• Strong communication, organizational, and mentoring abilities with sharp attention to detail and team training skills.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate fit problems and conduct independent fitting sessions on live models.

Preferred:

• Experience with multiple product classifications and FlexPLM or similar PLM system experience.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Technical Design, Fashion Design, or equivalent experience is a plus, but not required.
• Patternmaking experience is preferred, with the ability to translate fit corrections directly into pattern adjustments.

Benefits

• Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
• Associate Discount - Great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
• Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
• Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
• Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

Note: Availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to work location & employment type and may have