Director - Design Studio Operations

Gap Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 161,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merchandise discount

Competitive PTO

Volunteer hours

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Gap Inc. in New York is seeking a Director of Design Studio Operations to drive clarity and execution across the Accessories design organization, partnering with the VP of Design and cross‑functional teams to manage seasonal workflows, timelines, tools, meeting outputs, and key milestones.

The goal is to elevate how Design operates and strengthen cross‑functional collaboration. You will lead the organization across Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Planning, and related

Qualifications

• 5+ years leading design operations in a creative environment.
• Deep understanding of design to product development.
• Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.
• Able to manage complex, fast-moving programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive predictable, efficient, and scalable design execution across seasonal workflows, timelines, milestones, and decision points.
• Own Design priorities, inputs, deliverables, follow-ups, and communication across the Accessories cross-functional team.
• Proactively identify and resolve process, communication, and execution gaps that impact the team's effectiveness, speed, and delivery.
• Translate creative direction into clear documentation, decks, recaps, and meeting outputs.
• Lead the organization and evolution of seasonal design decks, collaborative tools, materials, trim, and color resources.
• Ensure design intent—materials, trims, color, and development priorities—captured and communicated.
• Lead preparation for key design reviews, milestone meetings, and cross‑functional touchpoints.
• Act as the connective tissue between Design and cross‑functional partners—Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Planning, and related teams.
• Own agendas, attendees, recaps, action items, and follow‑ups for key design‑related meetings.
• Continuously refine ways of working to improve speed, clarity, and cross‑functional alignment.

Job description

About Gap Inc.

At Gap Inc., we create culture as much as we create clothes. Our ambition is to become a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture.

Our portfolio—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta—each brings a distinct point of view to how we show up in the world and serve our customers.

Old Navy democratizes style with quality and value for all. Gap champions originality through essential pieces that celebrate individuality. Banana Republic is rooted in a spirit of discovery, creating modern pieces inspired by craftsmanship and travel. Athleta champions the Power of She through confidence, strength, and movement.

We’re driven by a shared purpose: to bridge gaps—between people, perspectives, and possibilities—to create a better world.

We’re building a team that performs at a high level—people who think boldly, take ownership, and turn ideas into impact. If you’re ready to learn fast and help shape what’s next, you’ll fit right in.

About The Role

The Director of Design Studio Operations drives clarity and execution across the Accessories design organization. This role owns the operational backbone of the Design team—partnering closely with the VP of Design and the broader team to manage seasonal workflows, timelines, tools, meeting outputs, and key milestones. While embedded in Design, the role operates across Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Planning, and other cross-functional partners to ensure design intent is clearly communicated and executed. The goal is to elevate how Design operates and to strengthen how it partners across the Accessories cross-functional team.

What you'll do

Creative Operations & Process Ownership

• Lead and drive predictable, efficient, and scalable design execution across seasonal workflows, timelines, milestones, and decision points.
• Own Design priorities, inputs, deliverables, follow-ups, and communication across the Accessories cross-functional team.
• Proactively identify and resolve process, communication, and execution gaps that impact the team's effectiveness, speed, and delivery.
• Translate creative direction into clear documentation, decks, recaps, and meeting outputs.
• Lead the organization and evolution of seasonal design decks, collaborative tools, materials, trim, and color resources.
• Ensure design intent—materials, trims, color, and development priorities—captured and communicated.
• Lead preparation for key design reviews, milestone meetings, and cross‑functional touchpoints.
• Act as the connective tissue between Design and cross‑functional partners—Merchandising, Product Development, Production, Sourcing, Planning, and related teams.
• Own agendas, attendees, recaps, action items, and follow‑ups for key design‑related meetings.
• Continuously refine ways of working to improve speed, clarity, and cross‑functional alignment.

Who you are

• Exceptional organizational leadership and follow‑through
• Strong strategic communication and documentation skills
• Ability to create structure in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments
• Strong understanding of the design process and how Design connects to product development
• Ability to influence and keep cross‑functional partners aligned
• Strategic problem‑solving skills with the ability to anticipate risks, and drive resolution to protect product pipeline deliverables
• Strong attention to detail
• Executive presence and comfort working with senior Design leaders and cross‑functional teams

Salary Range: $160,800.00 - $209,100.00

Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.

Benefits at Gap Inc.

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular‑priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*

Gap Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long‑held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.