Senior Design Director - Activewear

Fourth Floor; New York (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Fourth Floor in New York City is seeking a Senior Design Director for Activewear to lead the creative vision and design strategy for a trend-driven activewear line. You will shape collections across performance and lifestyle categories with a global fashion sensibility.

You will mentor designers and collaborate with Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to ensure designs meet creative, quality, cost, and margin goals. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile Design, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of activewear design experience.
• Proven leadership and cross-functional mentoring.
• Expertise in trend forecasting, color direction, fabric innovation.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and PLM systems.
• Knowledge of development lifecycle, sourcing, costing, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to balance creative vision with business objectives.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling for senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative vision and design strategy for a trend-driven activewear business.
• Oversee the full design process across performance and lifestyle activewear.
• Develop fashion-forward product blending functionality with current trends.
• Mentor designers and partner with Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production.
• Conduct market and competitive research to keep the brand ahead of the market.

Skills

Activewear design

Team leadership

Trend forecasting

Fabric knowledge

Product development

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

PLM systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion/ Apparel/ Textile Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

PLM systems

Job description

Our client, an apparel company, is looking for a Senior Design Director for Activewear to join their team in NYC!

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative vision and design strategy for a trend-driven activewear business, translating global fashion, fitness, and streetwear trends into commercially relevant collections.
• Oversee the full design process across performance and lifestyle activewear, including trend research, color, fabrication, silhouettes, prints, graphics, and seasonal collections.
• Develop elevated, fashion-forward product that blends functionality with current trends, including athleisure, studio-to-street, and statement activewear.
• Lead and mentor a team of designers while partnering closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to ensure collections meet creative, quality, cost, and margin goals.
• Conduct market and competitive research, shop key retailers and brands, and identify emerging trends and opportunities to keep the brand fresh, relevant, and ahead of the market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile Design, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 7–10+ years of activewear design experience, with demonstrated success designing performance and lifestyle active apparel.
• Proven leadership experience managing projects, influencing cross-functional teams, and mentoring designers.
• Strong understanding of activewear construction, fit, performance fabrics, garment engineering, and technical product development.
• Expertise in trend forecasting, color direction, fabric innovation, and consumer-driven product creation.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and PLM systems.
• Strong knowledge of the apparel development lifecycle, including sourcing, costing, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to balance creative vision with business objectives and commercial product strategies.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and storytelling skills with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience collaborating with domestic and international teams, vendors, and factory partners.
• Passion for fitness, wellness, and the activewear market, with a deep understanding of industry trends and consumer behavior.