Sweater Design Director - Contemporary Market

Cobalt Fashion; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobalt Fashion is seeking a Sweater Design Director to lead the design and development of sweater collections for the Women’s Contemporary market. This Hybrid role requires over 15 years of experience in sweater design, proficiency in design software, and managing a design team. The ideal candidate will oversee design integrity, source materials, and ensure alignment with market trends. Applicants should have a passion for fashion and a strong portfolio showcasing their expertise in women's contemporary design.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in fully fashioned sweater design, ideally within the women's contemporary market.
• Experience managing a team of designers.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative range and technical expertise in sweater design.
• Deep understanding of yarns, stitches, and sweater construction, tech-pack proficiency, cost engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative sweater collections for the women's contemporary market.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align on brand direction and seasonal concepts.
• Conduct monthly market research and trend analysis.
• Create detailed design presentations, sketches, and tech packs.

Skills

Fashion Design

Team Management

Trend Analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Time Management

Attention to Detail

Creative Range

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Canva

Miro

AI design software

Job description

Brilliant Group is seeking a Sweater Design Director to lead the design and development of sweater collections for our Women’s Contemporary market. This Hybrid role offers the opportunity to work within a fast‑paced, trend‑driven category with full visibility into the global knitwear landscape, including US, Europe, and Asia. The position plays a key role in creating curated collections that reflect current trends and deliver strong results for our key retail partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop innovative sweater collections for the women’s contemporary market, incorporating the latest trends, yarns, and stitch techniques.
• Collaborate with Head of Design & cross‑functional teams to align on brand direction, seasonal concepts, and customer needs.
• Conduct monthly market research and trend analysis to identify emerging styles, colors, and silhouettes relevant to the junior’s demographic.
• Create detailed design presentations, sketches, and tech packs that communicate construction details, fit, and sizing specifications.
• Source and select appropriate yarns, trims, and embellishments that meet quality, cost, and design objectives.
• Partner with Sales and Merchandising teams to translate customer feedback and retail insights into commercially successful designs.
• Manage a team of designers.
• Oversee sample development, including fit sessions, revisions, and approvals, ensuring design integrity from concept through production.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with overseas vendors, factories, and suppliers to ensure timely development and execution.
• Attend trade shows and trend shows.
• Travel for in person meetings with customers each season.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in fully fashioned sweater design, ideally within the women’s contemporary market.
• Experience managing a team of designers.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative range and technical expertise in sweater design.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, Miro and relevant AI design software.
• Deep understanding of yarns, stitches, and sweater construction, tech‑pack proficiency, cost engineering, with a strong attention to detail.
• Proven ability to interpret market trends and consumer insights into on‑brand, saleable product concepts.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and time‑management skills.
• Experience working with overseas counterparts, factories, and vendors.
• Passion for fashion, creativity, and innovation, with the ability to balance trend awareness and commercial appeal.

As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.