Senior Director, Men's Design
About Us
vineyard vines is a highly successful, privately held, American clothing and accessory retailer founded in 1998 on Martha’s Vineyard by brothers, Shep & Ian Murray. With Shep & Ian still at the helm today, vineyard vines has experienced exponential year over year growth and now operates over 120 retail locations including an outlet division, a successful e-commerce business, domestic distribution center, and expanding corporate headquarters. In addition, vineyard vines is carried in major department stores such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales as well as numerous specialty boutiques across the US.
Overview
The Senior Director, Men’s Design is a highly creative, strategic design leader responsible for setting the overall vision, aesthetic, and direction of vineyard vines’ men’s product. This role leads the Men’s Design team from concept through production, ensuring product is authentic to the brand’s optimistic, coastal lifestyle while remaining commercially compelling and trend-relevant.
Key Responsibilities
Partner with Leadership to set and own the overall creative direction for Men’s apparel and accessories, from seasonal concept through final execution
Translate global trends, cultural insights, and market research into brand-right, wearable designs
Ensure product aligns with vineyard vines’ heritage, lifestyle positioning, and business strategy
Establish and maintain consistency of look, style, and fit across men’s and related categories
Provide clear point-of-view and leadership during line reviews, fittings, and presentations
Lead the creation of concepts, sketches, flats, fabric stories, trims, and color palettes
Oversee initial and ongoing fittings, providing detailed direction on style, fit, and construction
Select fabrics, washes, embellishments, and production techniques appropriate to brand and margin goals
Partner with Product Development and Production to proactively address design and execution challenges
Ensure selling-ready samples are delivered on time for sales meetings and key milestones
Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of Designers, Design Assistants, Patternmakers, and Artists
Set clear expectations, manage workloads, and ensure adherence to design calendars and deadlines
Recruit, train, and develop talent; conduct performance evaluations and career development planning
Foster a collaborative, creative, and accountable team environment
Cross-functional Partnership
Collaborate closely with Merchandising to align design vision with assortment strategy and customer needs
Communicate effectively with Sales and Retail teams, incorporating feedback into future designs
Partner with Product Development on seasonal calendars, costing considerations, and execution timelines
Prepare and maintain line sheets, presentation boards, and design references for internal and external meetings
Present design concepts and seasonal direction to founders and cross-functional leadership
Trend, Market & Process Excellence
Study domestic and international fashion trends, market competition, and consumer insights
Travel for inspiration, research, retail walkthroughs, and key trade shows
Maintain a comprehensive design reference library
Identify and execute opportunities for process improvement within the design function
What You Bring
Minimum 10 years of apparel design experience, including at least 4 years in a people management role
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field
Deep understanding of the apparel design process from concept through production
Strong technical skills, including fabric knowledge, garment construction, and fit
Proficiency in CAD tools, including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Excellent illustration and flat sketching abilities
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skills
Proven ability to lead, influence, and collaborate across functions
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Flexible to seasonal demands, travel, and peak work periods