Senior Director, Men's Design

About us: vineyard vines is a highly successful, privately held, American clothing and accessory retailer founded in 1998 on Martha’s Vineyard by brothers, Shep & Ian Murray. With Shep & Ian still at the helm today, vineyard vines has experienced exponential year over year growth and now operates over 120 retail locations including an outlet division, a successful e-commerce business, domestic distribution center, and expanding corporate headquarters. In addition, vineyard vines is carried in major department stores such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdales as well as numerous specialty boutiques across the US.vineyard vines was founded on a state of mind that Every day should feel this good.You don’t need to be on a beach, by the ocean or on vacation to have Every day should feel this good moments. It’s a state of mind that we all experience, and one where everyone is invited. At vineyard vines, we don’t just live an #EDSFTG life away from our desks—we bring it to work with us, too.In our stores, at our Harbor Drive headquarters or working remotely, our company culture is fun, encouraging and welcoming to all. We work hard and play harder, and we never take ourselves too seriously. And while we have many company goals, our number one priority is making vineyard vines a great place to work for all employees.Our team is our family, and we’d never have grown to where we are today without them.We’re committed to building an inclusive team across all channels, departments and stores within our community. We hope you’ll join us and see what the smiling pink whale is all about.OverviewThe Senior Director, Men’s Design is a highly creative, strategic design leader responsible for setting the overall vision, aesthetic, and direction of vineyard vines’ men’s product. This role leads the Men’s Design team from concept through production, ensuring product is authentic to the brand’s optimistic, coastal lifestyle while remaining commercially compelling and trend-relevant.Partnering closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Production, and Sales, this leader translates global inspiration and market insights into cohesive seasonal collections that align with business strategy and growth objectives. The Senior Director, Men’s Design partners with the VP, Design to set the creative tone for style, fit, fabric, and storytelling across Men’s categories, while ensuring consistency across businesses (e.g., Men’s, Women’s, Boys, Accessories) and continually elevating the brand.This role is both visionary and hands-on—deeply involved in concepting, fittings, and fabric selection, while also building, mentoring, and inspiring a high-performing design team.Key Responsibilities:Creative Vision & Product DirectionPartner with Leadership to set and own the overall creative direction for Men’s apparel and accessories, from seasonal concept through final executionTranslate global trends, cultural insights, and market research into brand-right, wearable designsEnsure product aligns with vineyard vines’ heritage, lifestyle positioning, and business strategyEstablish and maintain consistency of look, style, and fit across men’s and related categoriesProvide clear point-of-view and leadership during line reviews, fittings, and presentationsDesign ExecutionLead the creation of concepts, sketches, flats, fabric stories, trims, and color palettesOversee initial and ongoing fittings, providing detailed direction on style, fit, and constructionSelect fabrics, washes, embellishments, and production techniques appropriate to brand and margin goalsPartner with Product Development and Production to proactively address design and execution challengesEnsure selling-ready samples are delivered on time for sales meetings and key milestonesTeam Leadership & DevelopmentLead, mentor, and inspire a team of Designers, Design Assistants, Patternmakers, and ArtistsSet clear expectations, manage workloads, and ensure adherence to design calendars and deadlinesRecruit, train, and develop talent; conduct performance evaluations and career development planningFoster a collaborative, creative, and accountable team environmentCross-Functional PartnershipCollaborate closely with Merchandising to align design vision with assortment strategy and customer needsCommunicate effectively with Sales and Retail teams, incorporating feedback into future designsPartner with Product Development on seasonal calendars, costing considerations, and execution timelinesPrepare and maintain line sheets, presentation boards, and design references for internal and external meetingsPresent design concepts and seasonal direction to founders and cross-functional leadershipTrend, Market & Process ExcellenceStudy domestic and international fashion trends, market competition, and consumer insightsTravel for inspiration, research, retail walkthroughs, and key trade showsMaintain a comprehensive design reference libraryIdentify and execute opportunities for process improvement within the design functionWhat you bring:Minimum 10 years of apparel design experience, including at least 4 years in a people management roleBachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related fieldDeep understanding of the apparel design process from concept through productionStrong technical skills, including fabric knowledge, garment construction, and fitExcellent illustration and flat sketching abilitiesProficiency in CAD tools, including Adobe Illustrator and PhotoshopStrong merchandising sensibility with the ability to design commercially successful productExceptional written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skillsProven ability to lead, influence, and collaborate across functionsHighly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentFlexible to seasonal demands, travel, and peak work periodsEvery day will feel this good because: We have a fun-spirited entrepreneurial culture filled with truly good peopleWe have flexible working hours to accommodate your personal lifeWe offer a generous employee discount so you can rep our lifestyle on-and-off the boatWe offer a competitive salary package, 401-K, commuter benefits, and paid-family leave, health savings, flex spending accounts, life & disability insuranceWe have an onsite gym as well as health & financial wellness programs to keep you activeWe offer 2 summer Fridays to take off in addition to a competitive vacation policy & holiday calendarJob SummaryRequisition Number: SENIO004351Job Category: Senior DirectorSchedule: Full-Time