The North Face: Senior Design Manager, Men's Apparel

This role leads and elevates the design expression for the men's tops and bottoms category, creating best-in-class product with a high level of aesthetic competence and a strong point of view. It sets direction and drives design decisions across the category, balancing strong creativity with the ability to deliver. The position is a highly influential member of the design team, providing creative direction and mentorship to designers while partnering closely with Merchandising, Product, Development and other cross-functional partners to maintain the creative vision from concept through commercialisation.

• Lead and elevate the design expression for men's tops and bottoms, creating best-in-class product with a high level of aesthetic competence and a strong point of view.
• Set direction and drive design decisions across the category, balancing strong creativity with the ability to deliver.
• Lead seasonal research and insights, concepts, design direction, presentation tools and key design deliverables for the category, ensuring the work connects brand vision with consumer and business needs.
• Drive and inspire design ideas across the team, with a focus on craftsmanship and excellence.
• Present design work to senior audiences in a compelling and persuasive way, and give clear, objective and constructive feedback.
• Provide creative direction, mentorship and guidance to designers, elevating individual capabilities as well as the overall quality and consistency of the team's design output.
• Translate a highly advanced understanding of brand aesthetic and DNA, materials and technologies, and fit and silhouette into relevant and distinctive product that supports consumer and business needs.
• Use an elevated taste level and strong knowledge of the competitive landscape to identify opportunities and push the category forward.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Product, Development and other cross-functional partners, influencing decisions and ensuring the creative vision is maintained from concept through commercialisation.

• 10+ years of experience in athletic, outdoor, sportswear or men's apparel design, with strong expertise relevant to men's tops and bottoms.
• Demonstrated experience providing creative direction, mentoring designers and elevating design output across a team or category.
• Exceptional product acumen with comprehensive knowledge of apparel product development processes, including design, development, sourcing and manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of apparel construction, with strong flat sketching and illustration expertise.
• Understanding of the activities and sports the category is designed for.
• Advanced hands-on experience with Adobe Creative Suite and CAD software.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience creating high-quality, detailed tech packs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cost engineering and the ability to design to cost while maintaining the integrity of the creative vision.
• Advanced experience in fitting, with a strong understanding of category silhouette needs for sport and an elevated sense of aesthetic.
• Strong experience developing performance materials, trims and colour palettes.
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence and build alignment around a creative vision.
• Strong communication and influencing skills across design, cross-functional partners, vendors and senior stakeholders.
• Comprehensive understanding of product cycles, key milestones and core deadlines, with the ability to drive the team toward successful execution.
• Growth mindset, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new tools, exploring new approaches and solving complex design challenges.

• Active participation in some of the activities or sports the category is designed for.
• 3D software and AI image-generation experience (Clo, Browzwear, Vizcom, Midjourney).
• Formal education in a related field is welcomed, though experience, professional achievements and demonstrated design leadership are prioritised.

• Eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive or commission potential; specific details of eligibility are provided during the recruiting and interview process.

• Extensive development and growth opportunities for current and future positions.
• A competitive compensation package.
• A strong benefits package including medical, dental, vision and 401(k).