Head of Apparel Design

Chubbies, the outfitter of Fridays at five, is seeking a Sr. Director Design, Apparel to lead the creative vision and design direction of the Chubbies (and Cheekies) brand. This is an opportunity to shape the future of a brand with a strong point of view, a loyal customer base, and permission to do things differently. The Opportunity The Sr. Director Design, Apparel will own the creative vision and design direction for Chubbies apparel, from initial concept through final product. You will define what Chubbies looks and feels like each season—developing collections that balance the brand’s signature irreverence with great design, strong product fundamentals, and commercial appeal. This is a hands-on creative leadership role. We are looking for an exceptional designer who can establish the vision, inspire a team, develop concepts, and get into the details of the work. You should have a strong point of view about men's apparel and the ability to translate trends, culture, and consumer insights into products that feel fresh, distinctive, and unmistakably Chubbies. NOTE: This role will require the person to work in the office several days a week so you will need to live in or relocate to Austin, TX. We provide relocation assistance. What You'll Do Own the Chubbies Apparel Design Vision Define and evolve the overall creative direction for Chubbies apparel. Establish a distinctive design point of view across men's apparel, including silhouettes, graphics, prints, patterns, color, fabrication, trims, and details. Develop seasonal design direction and creative concepts that build a cohesive collection and strengthen the Chubbies brand. Maintain design standards that ensure consistency across categories while allowing individual products to have personality. Continually push the brand forward while protecting the elements that make Chubbies recognizable and unique. Lead Seasonal Collection Development Lead the creative design process from initial concept and inspiration through final product commercialization. Develop seasonal concepts, mood boards, color palettes, print and pattern stories, graphic direction, and product concepts. Partner with Merchandising, Product Development, and Technical Design to translate creative concepts into commercially viable collections. Ensure collections tell a cohesive visual story across categories. Balance fashion and cultural trends with Chubbies’ unique brand DNA and the needs of its core customer. Identify opportunities to expand the brand into new categories, products, materials, and design expressions. Drive Graphic Design & Prints Establish the creative direction for Chubbies’ graphic apparel and printed product. Develop and oversee original graphic concepts, artwork, typography, prints, patterns, and other visual treatments. Push the creative team to develop graphics that are distinctive, memorable, and ownable. Understand what makes a graphic compelling on a garment—not simply what makes a graphic look good on a screen. Ensure graphic collections have the right balance of humor, originality, sophistication, and Chubbies attitude. Be Hands-On in the Design Process Personally develop concepts, sketches, graphics, and design direction. Work directly in design tools and remain involved in the creative execution. Review and refine designs throughout the development process, maintaining a high bar for quality and craft. Provide clear, actionable feedback to designers and development partners. Know when to step back and lead and when to jump into the work yourself. Lead & Develop the Design Team Lead, mentor, and inspire apparel and graphic designers. Establish a culture of creativity, experimentation, collaboration, and high standards. Set priorities and provide clear creative direction throughout the product development calendar. Help develop the team’s capabilities and ensure designers have the tools and inspiration needed to do their best work. Partner with external designers, illustrators, artists, agencies, and other creative resources as appropriate. Collaborate Across the Organization Partner closely with Merchandising to understand the business opportunity and product strategy. Work with Product Development, Technical Design, and Sourcing to ensure creative intent is maintained through development and production. Collaborate with Marketing and Brand Creative to create a cohesive expression of the brand across product and marketing. Partner with Ecommerce and Retail teams to ensure the product story comes through across every customer touchpoint. Present seasonal concepts and collections to senior leadership and cross-functional partners. Stay Ahead of Culture & Consumer Trends Maintain a deep understanding of men's fashion, apparel, streetwear, lifestyle brands, sports, music, entertainment, and broader cultural trends. Constantly seek new sources of inspiration—from fashion and art to travel, vintage, pop culture, and the unexpected. Understand emerging consumer behaviors and translate relevant trends into Chubbies products without simply chasing fashion. Know the difference between a trend worth following and one that isn't right for the brand. What We're Looking For 8-10+ years of apparel design experience, with significant experience designing men's apparel. Proven experience leading design for an established apparel, fashion, lifestyle, or consumer brand. A portfolio that demonstrates exceptional apparel design, graphic design, prints/patterns, color, typography, and overall creative direction. Deep understanding of men's apparel—from product concept and silhouette through fabrication, trims, graphics, and final execution. Strong experience developing seasonal collections and managing the design process from concept to production. Exceptional design instincts and a clearly identifiable creative point of view. Strong understanding of the commercial side of apparel design and the ability to balance creativity with business objectives. Experience leading and developing designers while remaining a hands-on contributor. Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant design tools. Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate the thinking behind creative decisions. Ability to collaborate effectively with Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, Sourcing, and senior leadership. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple seasons, categories, and projects simultaneously. A genuine curiosity about culture and what influences how people dress, shop, and express themselves. #J-18808-Ljbffr Chubbies Shorts