Design Director – Footwear

Rag & Bone; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Design Director to lead footwear innovation and design. This role requires a deep understanding of footwear construction and market trends, balancing creativity with business needs. The successful candidate will manage the entire design process, collaborate closely with various teams, and mentor junior designers. Join a dynamic and inclusive environment that values originality and community, where your contributions will significantly impact the brand's future. If you thrive in a fast-paced setting and have a strong design vision, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Paid Time Off

Clothing Allowance

Generous Employee Discount

Paid Parental Leave

Commission Eligible

Wellness Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

401k

Qualifications

• 10+ years in footwear design with luxury market understanding.
• Strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage footwear design from concept to market sample stage.
• Lead and mentor design team while collaborating with merchandising.

Skills

Footwear Design

Market Research

Photoshop

Illustrator

Organizational Skills

Team Collaboration

Attention to Detail

Tools

MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel)

Job description

About rag & bone:

From our origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone was founded on a belief of uncompromising ideals: a commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way. To making things that are as original as they are timeless. To being true to ourselves, even when that truth sets us apart from the mainstream.

We still believe in the same principles we started with: the easy elegance of classic British tailoring, the authenticity of American workwear, and the originality of our home city, New York. As New Yorkers, community and authenticity have become synonymous with our brand. An inclusive environment at rag & bone upholds our original values by encouraging employee connection and empowering each individual to have a voice on policy, process, and collaboration for a more equitable future.

Job Summary:

rag & bone is hiring a Design Director who is passionate about footwear and pushing boundaries in design and innovation. The ideal candidate should have a deep understanding of footwear construction and strong interest in market trends. This is a highly collaborative role that must balance creativity with business needs.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Manage all aspects of footwear design from concept to market sample stage. This includes overseeing and executing all sketches, CADS, tech packs, and material specs.
2. Work with VP/creative leads to establish seasonal direction reflective of our brand DNA.
3. Drive continuous market research to evolve product offerings.
4. Create inspiration boards to convey design storytelling within the assortment.
5. Collaborate with Merchandising on building a balanced assortment of both foundational and fashion styles.
6. Lead and mentor design team; support them with daily workload and inspire a creative mindset.
7. Partner with Technical Design during each stage of the development process with a strong emphasis on fit and comfort.
8. Tight partnering with the rag and bone design teams across RTW, Denim and Accessories to refine seasonal details, ensuring footwear collection is aligned.
9. Present collections to commercial teams with ability to listen to feedback and share goals of improving product.
10. Responsible for upholding design integrity with high quality execution throughout the entire process.
11. Partner with PD in providing material sourcing direction, meeting calendar deadlines and margin expectations.
12. Analyze selling reports to be integrated into the design process.
13. Travel overseas to factories to review prototype and SMS developments as needed.

Requirements:

1. 10+ years working in Footwear Design, with a strong understanding of luxury and contemporary markets.
2. Must have a strong understanding of footwear construction, tooling and terminology.
3. Previous experience of managing at least 1 direct report.
4. Effective organizational skills and must know how to juggle shifting priorities daily.
5. Experienced in traveling to China and Vietnam for 2-week increments.
6. Strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills.
7. Must have basic knowledge of MS Office Powerpoint and Excel.
8. Strong material and color sense.
9. Strong taste level and attention to detail.
10. Must be a team player with a positive attitude, who is able to thrive and take initiative in a fast-paced work environment.

Rules we live by I Rules you live by:

1. Be a Good Human - Be original, be authentic. Stand for diversity, equitability & inclusivity.
2. Have No Fear - Innovate, solve problems.
3. Own Every Decision - Work together, get results.
4. Quality Matters – Not only with product but we see it in our people.
5. Make Shit Happen - Be disciplined, be competitive.

Benefits:

1. Paid Time Off.
2. Clothing Allowance.
3. Generous Employee Discount.
4. Paid Parental Leave.
5. Commission Eligible.
6. Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits.
7. Medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits.
8. 401k.

rag & bone is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.