Urban Outfitters - Temporary Assistant Concept Director

About the role

Urban Outfitters is seeking a Temporary Assistant Concept Director to support the Women's Concept Design team. The Temporary Assistant Concept Director of Apparel & Accessories is the visionary architect behind the Urban Outfitters seasonal narrative. This role sits at the intersection of cultural intelligence, trend forecasting, and commercial strategy, responsible for defining the "North Star" that guides our multi-faceted brand portfolio.

This role will be 3-4 months in duration to cover a temporary leave and is based on site at our world headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. We are open to candidates commuting from NY 2-3 days per week and provide commuter expense reimbursement on a case by case basis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development of seasonal concepts, ensuring they resonate with the UO brand identity and the distinct DNA of BDG, OFU, and Kimchi Blue.
• Track and translate emerging trends in fashion, music, art, and digital culture into actionable "Seasonal Cultural Overviews."
• Distill global market research and consumer insights into big-picture trend stories that drive product innovation and sales.
• Utilize advanced graphic design and AI platforms to generate original imagery and high-impact visual tools.
• Monitor global competitor activity and niche market dynamics to ensure UO remains a market leader.
• Analyze Velo and seasonal hindsights to align creative vision with commercial business goals.
• Balance the unique aesthetic requirements of each house label while maintaining a cohesive overall UO seasonal message.
• Manage the team’s departmental budgets and adhere to the master calendar to ensure all milestones are met on time.
• Oversee the creation of comprehensive shop reports and share key findings with the broader Design and Buying teams.
• Lead and inspire the Concept Team, providing constructive coaching and creating professional development opportunities.
• Act as a key voice in concept presentations, clearly communicating trend highlights and business opportunities to Senior Leadership.
• Foster deep collaboration with Design and Buying partners to ensure the successful adoption and execution of key seasonal trends.
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement new ways of working to leverage creative assets and team talent more effectively.
• Source and curate vintage and inspirational samples that serve as the physical foundation for seasonal concepts.
• Drive the innovation of information formatting to ensure presentations are both highly communicative and aesthetically inspiring.
• Model the company’s values and foster a positive, "culture of we" environment within the creative department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Trend Forecasting, Fine Arts, or a related creative field.
• 10–12+ years of experience in fashion design, concept, or trend forecasting, specifically within a high-volume retail or lifestyle brand environment.
• 5+ years in a management role, with a proven track record of mentoring creative teams and managing direct reports.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating a sophisticated aesthetic, advanced visual storytelling, and the ability to concept across diverse brand identities.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Experience with—or a high degree of openness to—creative exploration using AI platforms such as MidJourney to generate original imagery.
• Ability to interpret retail analytics and seasonal hindsights to inform creative strategy.
• Advanced skills in layout and information formatting to create highly communicative and inspiring digital and physical presentations.

Core Competencies

• Cultural Intelligence: A deep, innate understanding of the Urban Outfitters customer, including a passion for the music, art, social, and digital subcultures that drive their behavior.
• Strategic Trend Synthesis: The ability to distill complex global macro-trends into concise, actionable messages that drive sales and brand evolution.
• Multi-Label Mastery: Capability to pivot between the distinct DNA of BDG, OFU, and Kimchi Blue while maintaining a unified seasonal "North Star."
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to present to and influence Executive Leadership.

Professional Attributes

• Agility: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while remaining flexible and positive through rapid change.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to a strict master calendar.
• Problem-Solving: A self-directed "solution-seeker" who can identify process inefficiencies and initiate creative ways to leverage assets.
• Collaborative Spirit: A natural "brand ambassador" who fosters a culture of "we" and works seamlessly across Design, Buying, and Marketing functions.

Benefits

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees, including medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings, and more.