VP, Leathergoods, Design

$325,000 - $360,000/Yr

Kate Spade

Full-time - Senior

Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

About the position

The VP of Leathergoods, Design at Kate Spade is a leadership role focused on bringing innovative and bold design ideas to life for the brand's handbag and small leather goods collections. This position is responsible for overseeing the design process, ensuring alignment with the brand's aesthetic and strategic goals, and leading a team of designers to achieve creative excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of designers to achieve the creative vision for leathergoods collections.
• Collaborate with Chief Merchant to ensure commercial viability of collections.
• Collaborate with VP Design of Concept, Color and Lifestyle Categories to ensure cohesion across categories.
• Bring the season's unique narrative to life through inspiration boards that captivate and energize the team.
• Partner with team to refine seasonal concept, materials, hardware, and color palette for collections.
• Create sketches, product prototypes and finished samples together with the design, tech design and product development teams.
• Be accountable for the success of the entire product design process including raw material development, sketching, design, technical design, product review and cost engineering.
• Responsible for upholding design integrity, high quality execution, and timeliness throughout the entire development process.
• Lead, mentor and develop design team, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Requirements

• 15+ years of related design experience across multiple categories, and at least 7+ years of design leadership experience.
• Expert knowledge of construction techniques, color ways, raw materials, fabrication, trends, and style.
• Strong computer knowledge, including Adobe Illustrator and strong hand sketching ability.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a successful design team.
• Ability to manage multiple company priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact with a diverse group at all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-up.

Benefits

• Base pay range of $325,000.00 to $360,000.00 annually.
• Hybrid work setup.