Vice President Design

About PHOENIX 

PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a retail platform operating the Express and Bonobos brands worldwide. Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions. Bonobos is a menswear brand known for being pioneers of exceptional fit and a personalized, innovative retail model. Customers can experience our brands in over 400 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores, 50 Bonobos Guideshops, and online at www.express.com and www.bonobos.com.

About Express

Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to creating confidence and inspiring self-expression. Since its launch in 1980, the brand has embraced a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style. Whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions, Express ensures you look and feel your best, wherever life takes you.

The Company operates over 400 retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the express.com online store and the Express mobile app.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Vice President of Design for the Express brand is a highly collaborative partner and inspiring leader who communicates effectively with the team and key Go-to-Market functional leaders. This leader possesses a strong financial acumen, excellent analytical skills, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with creativity and passion for product. They are responsible for ensuring that the product is consistent with market trends as well as business strategy. They interpret international/domestic concepts and fashion trends as it relates to market demands company brand and business strategy. They will oversee the designer team responsible for conceptualizing and developing new collections, drawing inspiration from current trends, vintage influences, and trend forecasting. 

Express designers are responsible for setting the tone for the concept of each season by developing color palettes, prints, sketches, fabrication, and fit guidelines for the product line assortment that is sold in Express Stores, Factory Outlets, and our eCommerce website.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify direction on trend, color, fabric, trim, and concept for each season, including identifying samples that can be adapted to represent trends for the brand
• Develop initial merchandise line concept 
• Maintains a pulse on the competition to ensure company’s relevance in the marketplace and to identify new areas of opportunity 
• Present complete concept to Merchandising, Marketing, and Sourcing through design-owned milestone meetings
• Coordinate with the Product Development Team to ensure timely execution of seasonal development that achieves key strategic business goals 
• Lead and grow design efforts and efficiencies, promoting cross-functional relationships
• Responsible for managing time and action of development 
• Direct, manage, mentor, and develop the Design team
• Define career paths to help designers identify opportunities for growth and achieve measurable goals 
• Manage Design budget, including travel for domestic and international shopping, travel to factories for development and troubleshooting, and manage subscriptions and trend services
• Negotiate, maintain, and optimize strategic vendor partnerships

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: BFA degree in design or equivalent work experience
• Experience: Proven leader with 15+ years of experience
• Possess a relentless focus and passion for the product and customer with the ability to surprise and delight by exceeding expectations and continuous improvement
• Ability to travel domestically and overseas

CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

• Strong presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Understands Company objectives and goals – and translates to measurable goals for the Team
• Holds themselves to a high standard, and accountable to achieving results
• Collaborative. Ability to manage up, down, and across multiple levels
• Elevated taste level and fashion sense within the context of the brand
• Ability to identify and incorporate trends into clothing lines
• Ability to work independently and lead a team
• Ability to understand financial metrics

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

PHOENIX offers a range of benefits to help protect full-time associate’s health and long-term financial security including: 

• Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage 
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with Company match 
• Merchandise discount 
• Paid Time Off 
• Parental leave for new moms and dads 

Actual compensation offered is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, work location, education, relevant skills and experience of the candidate.

An equal opportunity employer, PHOENIX does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. PHOENIX only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. PHOENIX is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to search and apply for a job position due to a disability, please call 1-800-964-9793 and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to AssociateRelations@Express.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that PHOENIX does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, PHOENIX will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.