Design Director, Kids Fashion & Athletic Footwear

Design Director, Kids Fashion & Athletic Footwear

We are seeking a highly creative, strategic, and commercially driven Design Director, Kids Fashion & Athletic Footwear to lead the design and development of innovative footwear collections across kids lifestyle, athletic, casual, and licensed categories. This individual will be responsible for setting the creative vision, driving product strategy, and overseeing the end-to-end design process from concept through commercialization.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of kids consumer trends, athletic and fashion footwear, licensed product development, and global market opportunities. This role requires a balance of creative leadership, trend forecasting, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the creative direction and seasonal design strategy across kids fashion, athletic, casual, and licensed footwear categories
• Develop innovative product concepts that align with brand positioning, customer needs, and market trends
• Drive trend research, consumer insights, competitive analysis, and seasonal storytelling to inform product direction
• Oversee the design process from concept through commercialization, ensuring design integrity throughout development
• Create and direct footwear concepts, materials, color palettes, constructions, and silhouette direction across multiple product categories
• Partner closely with Product Development, Merchandising, Sales, Sourcing, and Production teams to execute seasonal assortments
• Lead collaboration with licensors to ensure products align with brand standards and approval processes
• Manage communication with overseas factories and development partners regarding prototypes, sample revisions, and commercialization timelines
• Review prototypes and wear-test feedback to refine fit, function, comfort, and performance attributes
• Drive material innovation, construction improvements, and cost engineering initiatives while maintaining design intent
• Present seasonal concepts, line reviews, and product strategies to senior leadership and external partners
• Build, mentor, and develop design talent while fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment
• Ensure calendar adherence and manage multiple categories and deadlines simultaneously

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of footwear design experience with significant experience in kids footwear, athletic footwear, or licensed product categories
• Experience designing for major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kohl's, off-price, department stores)
• Proven experience leading footwear design teams and managing multiple product categories simultaneously
• Strong understanding of kids consumer behavior, fashion trends, athletic performance trends, and marketplace dynamics
• Expertise in footwear construction, materials, fit, costing, and development processes
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop with strong sketching and visual storytelling skills
• Experience creating tech packs, specifications, and product documentation for global development teams
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to influence across departments
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with shifting priorities

Preferred Experience

• Experience working across licensed brands and approval processes
• Experience partnering with overseas factories and global sourcing teams
• Background within mass market, off-price, fashion footwear, or high-volume retail environments preferred
• Understanding of sustainability initiatives, innovative materials, and emerging footwear technologies
• Passion for kids product, storytelling, trend forecasting, and consumer-first design

What We're Looking For

A creative designer with strong taste, attention to detail, and a passion for footwear design — someone excited to contribute fresh ideas while growing within a collaborative and innovative brand environment.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Half Day Fridays with shortened hours during both Summer and Winter seasons
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• Exclusive employee merchandise discounts

Salary: The anticipated base salary is $120k-$150k annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, internal equity, and location.