Vice President, Men's Design - Banana Republic - Full-time

Job Description

Drives trend-right product strategy for the division. Leads a team of Directors and Sr. Designers to concept, design and develop compelling, brand enhancing seasonal collections that fulfill short and long-term business objectives. Ensures product aesthetic and costs are consistent with brand image and target customers. Partners closely with Merchandising to ensure product meets customer needs and with Production and Gap Inc. Sourcing/Vendors to deliver high quality, cost effective and aesthetically accurate samples and product (e.g., right fit, right color, raw material).
Essential Job Functions

• Stays abreast of competitive landscape. Identifies and researches new product categories or businesses that will enable the Division to achieve its short and long-term strategic market share and revenue goal.
• Accountable for financial performance of the Division. Adjusts product strategies to address in-season business performance and/or consumer insights.
• Defines and protects the brand aesthetic. Communicates a product vision and strategy for the Division and customers. Leads concept process and approves seasonal product strategy and direction.
• Leads a team of Sr. Directors/Directors and Designers to create compelling, brand-enhancing product. Manages team to align seasonal collection across categories and ensure fashion, fashion key items, and apparel basics are consistent with the Gap brand customer and aesthetic.
• Approves seasonal collection to ensure that product matches key themes and messages, big ideas by shop and flow. Approves color palette and print direction.
• Develops a high performing Design team; accountable for inspiring and leading a team to higher performance.
• Develops strong internal cross-functional relationships with Merchandising, Production, Gap Inc. Sourcing (GIS), Visual Merchandising and Marketing.
• Holds Design team accountable for meeting development deadlines and ratios.
• Sets, allocates and ensures effectiveness of departmental budget.

Qualification

• Extensive experience in apparel design and development. Deep experience in men's strongly preferred.
• Experience managing large cross-category and cross-functional Design teams
• Aesthetic/Taste level- Has an elevated sense of style and knows how to translate trends through the lens of the customer and brand filter.
• Color/Construction- Has a great eye for color; understands the possibilities of fabric and construction; looks for new and innovative ways to use color, fabric, and details in design. Applies all of the above
• through the lens of the customer and brand filter.
• Strong Presentation and Influence skill- Is able to create and make presentations in a variety of settings and styles.