Design Director Trend & Concept

Role Overview

Design Director Trend & Concept will lead the creative vision for trend forecasting, concept development, and product innovation across a diverse portfolio (including play, tech-adjacent, and seasonal products). The role blends strategic foresight with hands-on execution—turning cultural insights and guest behavior into actionable design platforms that guide product, partnerships, and experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead forward-looking trend direction and creative concept development grounded in cultural insights, guest behavior, and category opportunities
• Translate insights into actionable platforms, prototypes, and narratives influencing products, partnerships, and guest experiences
• Identify and define future licensing and partnership opportunities with external studios, brands, and agencies
• Oversee Limited Time Only (LTO) initiatives, providing creative origin, direction, and inspiration for execution across product and storytelling
• Manage a multidisciplinary design team: set objectives, mentor designers, and foster a culture of creativity and growth
• Collaborate with merchandising, A&A, marketing, and enterprise trend leaders to align creative vision across seasonal and cross-category initiatives
• Implement processes, tools, and workflows to improve speed, clarity, and creative impact within the design team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (Design/Fine Arts or related) or equivalent experience
• 15+ years of product design and development experience in retail or wholesale, with category-specific expertise
• Proven leadership experience managing teams of 10+ designers
• Ability to spot trends, translate insights into compelling design concepts, and deliver high-quality products
• Deep knowledge of design/product development processes, including textiles, fabric, pattern, fit, and manufacturing
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Experience traveling domestically and internationally to inform trends and partnerships
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to balance creativity with business objectives
• Expertise in Limited Time Only concepts, seasonal product launches, and cross-category initiatives

Nice-to-Haves

• N/A (not explicitly stated)

Work Model / Travel

• Remote flexibility available
• Some travel required for market insights and partnership engagement