Visionary Leader For Design Excellence

Job Title : Design DirectorThe role of the Design Director is a strategic and visionary position that oversees the entire design operation, leading a high-performing team responsible for executing licensed sports product rollouts across multiple leagues and 150+ team identities.Key Responsibilities : Provide overall leadership for the design office, setting vision, priorities, and standards for the design team.Partner with executive leadership to align design strategy with broader company objectives, licensing requirements, and business growth plans.Oversee multiple Design Managers and Senior Designers, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and project ownership across the team.Represent the design organization in senior leadership discussions, providing updates on progress, challenges, and resource needs.Organizational Development : Build and scale a high-volume design team capable of executing licensed sports product rollouts across all major leagues.Define talent development strategies, including recruiting, training, succession planning, and mentorship for Managers, Seniors, and emerging designers.Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable culture that balances creativity with operational excellence.Conduct annual and mid-year performance reviews, ensuring structured, constructive, and transparent evaluation of all team membersEstablish feedback loops between Mexico City and New York offices, creating consistent channels for input, recognition, and improvement.Process & PLM Optimization : Serve as the executive sponsor of PLM system adoption, driving continuous improvement in workflows, approvals, and data integrity.Partner with Design Managers to enforce process consistency, ensuring scalable and efficient workflows across multiple capsules and deadlines.Evaluate and implement tools, platforms, and systems that improve design efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.Champion a culture of operational discipline, reducing errors, minimizing rework, and increasing speed-to-market.Compliance & Quality Assurance : Oversee compliance across all leagues and licensors, ensuring every product meets strict licensing and brand standards.Partner with senior stakeholders and licensing representatives to address escalations and resolve high-level approval challenges.Implement checkpoints and governance structures to maintain quality, accuracy, and compliance across all design outputs.Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration : Act as the primary liaison between the design organization and cross-functional teams in New York and other offices.Partner with Product Development, Licensing, Merchandising, and Production to align priorities and ensure seamless execution.Contribute to long-term business planning, assortment strategies, and market expansion initiatives by providing design insights and operational perspectives.Serve as a global thought leader, influencing best practices across multiple offices and business units.Team Leadership & People Management : Serve as a trusted leader and resource for the design team, with the ability to troubleshoot personal and interpersonal issues that may impact performance.Champion a culture of feedback, ensuring Managers and Senior Designers are equipped to give and receive constructive input regularly.Demonstrate both data-driven decision-making (left brain) and empathetic, creative problem-solving (right brain) to support team growth and well-being.Qualifications : Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Fashion Design, or related field; advanced degree preferred.12+ years of design experience in apparel, accessories, or consumer products, with at least 8+ years in a leadership role overseeing more than 20 employees.Proven track record of managing large-scale licensed product rollouts across multiple categories or leagues.Strong expertise in PLM systems, design operations, and approval workflows.Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire diverse design teams across multiple levels and geographies.Exceptional communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence executive decision-making.Skilled in conflict resolution, employee coaching, and supporting both professional and personal growth within teams.Exceptional English speaking and writing required.Advanced level of Illustrator knowledge is required.