SVP Design, Banana Republic

Banana Republic; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 460,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% off regular-priced merchandise

Extensive Paid Time Off

401(k) plan with company matching

Employee stock purchase plan

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Job summary

Banana Republic is looking for a visionary leader to guide design teams in San Francisco. This role involves creating and executing multi-year product strategies, managing large teams, and ensuring innovative designs that align with brand values. Candidates should have over 15 years of product design experience and demonstrate exceptional leadership in a fast-paced environment.

The position offers a salary range of $460,000-$540,000 and includes generous benefits such as a merchandise discount of 50%, extensive Paid Time Off, and a 401(k) plan with company matching.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in product design with proven track record.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing large teams.
• Ability to create and execute a multi-year product roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a multi-year product priority roadmap.
• Inspire and lead high-performing design teams.
• Research and innovate opportunities for new designs.

Skills

Product design

Team leadership

Fashion trends

Color theory

Education

College degree in Fashion Design

Tools

CAD software

Fabric analysis tools

Job description

Banana Republic is a storyteller’s brand, outfitting the modern explorer with high-quality, expertly crafted collections made to inspire and enrich life’s journeys. Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, we continue to evolve our heritage of exploration through thoughtfully designed apparel and accessories that blend timeless style with exceptional craftsmanship.

Our team is made up of passionate, curious storytellers — creators and visionaries who seek out what’s next and bring it to life through elevated design, immersive experiences, and a shared spirit of creativity and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Design, articulate and execute a multi-year product priority roadmap, analyzing and defining market-based strategy for Banana Republic. Developing customer specific performance indicators and evolve category offerings to capture customer needs and market share.
• Develop a high performing team; responsible for inspiring and leading the team to achieve their personal and professional objectives.
• Consistently seek out global inspiration and innovation; research and identify opportunities for new designs or businesses that will enable Banana Republic to achieve its short and long-term strategic, market share and revenue goals.
• Responsible for leading and providing creative direction to design team and partners.
• Accountable for achieving creative objectives while balancing financial goals for sales performance, margins, and average unit costs.
• Define, champion and protect the brand aesthetic. Communicating the design vision and strategy for Banana Republic to ensure organizational and cross-functional alignment with your vision.
• Identify and research new product categories or growth businesses that will enable Banana Republic to achieve its short and long-term strategic market share and revenue goal.
• Leads the Design and Color/CAD teams to guide the overall trend and aesthetic direction for the brand.
• Adjust product strategies to positively influence in-season business performance.
• Lead a team of Vice Presidents, Sr. Directors, Directors and Designers to create compelling, brand-enhancing product, delivering high quality work on time.
• Approve design direction to ensure product matches key themes and messages, big ideas and new businesses.
• Lead the team in all aspects of the product design process to include customer + market research, fabric selection, mood board creation, designing, sketching, spec’ing and fit for entire area.
• Accountable for identifying and executing opportunities for process improvement through all levels of your team and their cross functional partner groups.
• Accountable for overall Design calendar and executing deliverables in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain strong internal and external cross-functional relationships with vendors, Design, Merchandising and Sourcing/Production.
• Set, allocate and manage department budget.
• Recruit, train, motivate and evaluate staff on a regularly cadenced schedule.
• In conjunction with the leadership team, responsible for visualizing and determining strategic direction of business; accountable for process improvement, growing business and seeking opportunities to positively affect division/company.

Qualifications

• College degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of product design/development experience with a proven track record of developing people.
• Extensive experience and knowledge in apparel design, techniques, processes and development. Deep experience in print, pattern and color required.
• Experience managing large cross-category and cross-functional design teams.
• A reputation for excellent leadership and management skills.
• Proven ability to create and execute a multi-year product roadmap, setting the overall creative tone and leading creative design process.
• Aesthetic/Taste level - has an elevated sense of style and knows how to translate trends through the lens of the customer and brand filter.
• Product Development - understands design techniques and graphic and textile design processes.
• Color/Construction - has a great eye for color; understands the possibilities of fabric and construction; looks for new and innovative ways to use color, fabric, and details in design. Applies to all of the above through the lens of the customer and brand filter.
• Strong presentation and influence skill with the ability to make presentations in a variety of settings and styles that motivates others to follow.
• Proven ability to manage budget and evaluate ROI on all programs.
• Extensive worldwide travel experience.
• Ability to manage team performance and execute development plans enabling your people to succeed.
• Domestic and International travel will be required.

Salary Range: $460,000-$540,000.
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 Banana Republic

• 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.
• See more of the benefits we offer.
• For eligible employees

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.