Design Director - Footwear & Leather Goods at Aimé Leon Dore

New York, New York, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 May, 26

Salary

140000.0

Posted On

14 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Creative Direction, Design Execution, Concept Development, Product Development, Brand Vision, Craftsmanship, Material Direction, Design Consistency, Technical Design, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Team Management, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Design Tools, Presentation Rendering, Sourcing, Product Strategy

Industry

Retail Apparel and Fashion

Description

The Design Director, Footwear & Leather Goods leads the creative direction, design execution, and development process across all categories within footwear and leathergoods. This role is responsible for translating brand vision into product that reflects the Aimé Leon Dore aesthetic — balancing innovation, utility, and craftsmanship while maintaining design consistency and commercial viability. Duties and Responsibilities: Creative Direction & Concept Development Lead the seasonal creative direction and design narrative for footwear and leather goods in alignment with the brand’s overall design vision. Develop seasonal mood, color, and material direction that supports brand storytelling and cross-category cohesion. Partner with the SVP of Design and SVP of Product to define long-term category strategy and product evolution. Ensure product design reflects ALD’s balance of heritage inspiration, contemporary design language, and elevated craftsmanship. Design Execution Oversee design process from concept through final sample, ensuring accuracy, quality, and timeliness. Approve sketches, prototypes, and materials; provide clear creative feedback to design and development teams. Ensure silhouettes, details, and materials adhere to brand standards and category performance needs. Collaborate with technical design, product development, and sourcing teams to ensure feasibility and cost alignment without compromising design intent. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with Apparel Design, Merchandising, Production, and Marketing to ensure product alignment across categories. Collaborate with Retail and Creative teams on seasonal storytelling, launch strategy, and brand imagery. Liaise with vendors and factories on sample execution, materials innovation, and technical refinement. Leadership & Team Management Manage and mentor the Footwear & Leather goods Design team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and collaboration. Set clear seasonal goals and deliverables, ensuring milestone adherence and design excellence. Provide feedback and development opportunities to designers, strengthening internal creative capability. Qualifications 8–10 years of design experience in footwear and/or leather goods, ideally within a luxury, lifestyle, or designer brand. Proven track record in developing cohesive, elevated collections across categories (footwear, bags, accessories). Strong knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing processes. Demonstrated ability to lead a design team and manage cross-functional relationships. Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, 3D design tools, and presentation rendering. Deep understanding of cultural and design references aligned with ALD’s aesthetic. Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills. Salary Range: $130,000 - $140,000 Aimé Leon Dore is from Queens, NY. With a strong focus on simple yet powerful design, we are driven to create timeless work by portraying an aesthetic that is uniquely our own.

Responsibilities

The Design Director leads the creative direction, design execution, and development process for footwear and leather goods, translating brand vision into products that balance innovation, utility, and craftsmanship. This includes leading seasonal creative direction, defining material direction, and overseeing the design process from concept through final sample.