Sr. Design Director

Noto Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Noto Group is seeking a Sr. Director of Design to lead the creative vision and execution across apparel categories. This role requires a strong conceptual designer who collaborates with merchandising, sourcing, and marketing teams to translate athlete insights into high-performance products.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in apparel design, particularly in performance or athletic wear. Responsibilities include leading the design process, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic, and mentoring junior team members.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of apparel design experience with a strong focus on performance apparel.
• Previous experience at performance brands like Nike or lululemon is preferred.
• Strong sense of style and understanding of macro trends in performance design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design vision and execution across all product lines.
• Translate athlete insights into cohesive apparel design solutions.
• Drive the design process from concept to final product.

Skills

Apparel design experience

Performance construction techniques

Technical fabrics knowledge

Sketching and concept creation

Collaboration skills

Education

4-year Design Degree from accredited University or Design School

Job description

Reporting to the Chief Product Officer, the Sr. Director of Design will lead the next chapter of product design. This role is accountable for the creative vision and execution across apparel categories while working closely with merchandising, sourcing, brand, and marketing teams to translate athlete insight into disciplined, high-performance product. Our ideal candidate is a strong conceptual designer and a hands‑on builder — someone comfortable with product sketching, developing prints and color stories, and collaborating deeply with technical partners and mills. They will thrive in a high‑accountability, small‑team environment where leaders are expected to contribute directly while also mentoring and guiding others.

Accountabilities

• Lead the design vision and execution across all product lines, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic grounded in performance.
• Translate athlete insight, training modalities, and product strategy into compelling apparel design solutions.
• Drive design process from concept through final product, including sketching, material ideation, fit direction, color direction, print and pattern development, innovation, and seasonal storytelling.
• Partner closely with product management and development to integrate technical materials, performance construction, and manufacturing realities into the design process.
• Develop and maintain the color, graphic, and print strategy for the brand.
• Help establish an innovation pipeline focused on solving real training problems for athletes.
• Balance high-concept design thinking with disciplined product execution, ensuring designs meet performance requirements and commercial goals.
• Operate effectively in a player‑coach capacity, contributing hands‑on design work while mentoring junior team member and maintaining an active role in sketching, concept creation, and product reviews.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with merchandising, sourcing and production, brand and marketing, and leadership to ensure design intent translates clearly into the customer experience.
• Help establish and refine design processes, tools, and workflows appropriate for a fast-growing brand operating with a lean team.

Education and Experience Requirements

• 4-year Design Degree from accredited University or Design School
• 10+ years of apparel design experience with a strong focus on performance or athletic apparel.
• Previous experience at established performance brand; Nike, lululemon, Under Armour, strongly preferred.
• Expertise across the full design toolkit including apparel sketching, concept creation, fabric and trim development, fit and silhouette development, color strategy, and print and pattern design.
• Strong working knowledge of technical fabrics, trims, and performance construction techniques.
• A strong sense of style, understanding of macro trends, and expertise across the performance landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a small, fast-moving team environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across product, development, and leadership teams.
• Comfortable operating in a lean environment with limited systems and tools.
• Experience designing for women's performance apparel is a plus.
• Personal passion for training, athletics, or an active lifestyle strongly preferred.

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