Sr. Director, Strategic Partnerships, Footwear & Accessories

Job Description

Kenneth Cole Productions is a global fashion company built on the belief that business and social impact are interdependent. For over 40 years, we have designed, marketed, and distributed modern, versatile, and functional apparel, footwear, and accessories under the Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole, Unlisted, and Gentle Souls labels. Through strong domestic and international licensing partnerships, we continue to deliver high-quality products that reflect New York style and social consciousness.

Our success is driven by innovative, courageous, ambitious, and genuine employees who thrive in a highly collaborative workplace that embraces mutual respect, creative thinking, and results-driven accountability. Together, we are committed to helping people look good, feel confident, and make a positive impact in the world.

Job Purpose:

Serve as the business leader for Men's and Women's Footwear and Fashion Accessories, responsible for the strategic management, performance and growth of KCP’s

partnerships across these categories. Bring deep footwear industry expertise and a strong merchant perspective across product, merchandising, sales and retail to identify opportunities to drive the business.

Act as the senior connector between KCP, our licensing partners and the retail community, influencing business strategy, representing the brand with senior stakeholders and ensuring partners deliver against financial, product, distribution and brand objectives.

What You Will Do:

Lead the Business

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• Take an entrepreneurial approach to maximize and grow the Footwear and Fashion Accessories businesses while acting as a steward of the KCP brand.
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• Establish business priorities with licensing partners and drive execution through direct and proactive influence.
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• Identify opportunities and performance gaps across categories that can deliver incremental growth.
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Drive Merchandising & Product Strategy

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• Bring a strong footwear merchant perspective to our partnerships, identifying opportunities across product trends, assortment, pricing, new category development and distribution expansion.
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• Work closely with licensing partners to influence product and merchandising strategies and ensure assortments reflect the Kenneth Cole brand, consumer needs and commercial opportunity.
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• Partner with internal teams to develop opportunities through retailer pitch and execution.
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Own Sales and Business Performance

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• Maintain a deep understanding of wholesale and retail performance across the business.
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• Analyze performance by retailer, category, style and price point, translating selling trends, retailer feedback and market insights into actionable recommendations for licensing partners.
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• Identify opportunities to improve assortments, distribution and overall business performance.
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Retail Strategy & Relationships

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• Partner with licensees and KCP management in retailer presentations, top-to-tops and market meetings.
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• Build and maintain relationships with key merchants and senior retail leadership, representing Kenneth Cole's footwear and accessories strategy and identifying opportunities to grow the brand and business.
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Licensing & Partner Management

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• Oversee and strategically manage footwear and accessories licensing partnerships, including, men’s footwear, women’s footwear, kid’s footwear, and handbags, ensuring partners deliver against financial, distribution, product, brand and contractual obligations.
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• Maintain oversight of reporting, marketing processes and calendar milestones, and work collaboratively across marketing, finance, creative services and legal.
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• Champion the Go-To-Market process, managing asset requests, sample procurement and execution through point of sale.
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Who You Are:

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• 10+ years of experience in footwear, with a strong background across merchandising, sales, product and/or retail management. Experience with Men's and Women's footwear required.
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• Deep understanding of the footwear business and product lifecycle, including product development, assortment building, pricing, merchandising, wholesale sell-in and retail performance.
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• Experience working for a footwear brand/manufacturer and/or retailer with direct responsibility for a footwear business strongly preferred.
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• Demonstrated ability to evaluate product and assortments, interpret sales performance and market trends, and influence product, merchandising and commercial strategy.
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• Meaningful experience managing licensing partnerships or complex external business partnerships; 2-5 years of licensing experience preferred.
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• Proven ability to influence principals, executives and both external and internal senior leaders
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• Established retailer and industry relationships, with experience presenting to and working with senior merchants and retail leadership.
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• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated sales, negotiation, analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.
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• Embodies and models KCPs values: Entrepreneurial Spirt, Passion, Collaboration, Respect and Accountability
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What’s in it For You?

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• Hybrid Work Model: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday in-office. Monday and Friday are optional.
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• Medical, Dental, and Vision packages
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• 401K and company match
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• Competitive time-off package including Unlimited PTO and Company Paid Holidays.
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• Paid Parental Leave
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• Online Associate Discount
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• Pre-tax commuter benefits
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Compensation

Base Salary: $170,000 - $190,000

Actual compensation will be determined based on skills, experience, and other job-related factors, consistent with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kenneth Cole is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.