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Apparel Design Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... apparel . They are AI-curious , forward-thinking, and hungry to push the brand into the future of ... Design Director level) at a premium or lifestyle apparel brand. * Proven ability to balance brand ...

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Apparel Design Director information

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$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do apparel design director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for apparel design director in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Apparel Design Director do?

An Apparel Design Director oversees the creative direction and design process for clothing lines within a company or brand. They lead a team of designers, set design goals, and ensure that the collections align with brand identity and market trends. Their duties include trend forecasting, approving design concepts, collaborating with other departments, and ensuring products meet quality and budget standards. They play a key role in the brand’s overall visual identity and commercial success.

What is the difference between Apparel Design Director vs Apparel Product Manager?

AspectApparel Design DirectorApparel Product Manager
Primary FocusOversees overall design vision and creative directionManages product development, timelines, and market strategy
ResponsibilitiesLeading design teams, setting creative standards, brand consistencyProduct lifecycle management, coordinating between design, marketing, and production
Required SkillsDesign expertise, leadership, creative visionProject management, market analysis, cross-functional collaboration
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative teams, brand headquartersProduct development teams, marketing, sales departments

The Apparel Design Director focuses on the creative and artistic aspects of clothing lines, leading design teams to establish the brand's visual identity. In contrast, the Apparel Product Manager concentrates on managing the product lifecycle, ensuring market fit, and coordinating between departments to bring products to market successfully. Both roles are essential in the apparel industry but serve different strategic functions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Apparel Design Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Apparel Design Director, you need an in-depth knowledge of fashion design, garment construction, trend analysis, and a relevant degree such as in fashion design or a related field. Mastery of design software like Adobe Creative Suite, experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and a strong portfolio are typically required. Leadership, creative vision, and strong communication skills help guide teams and translate ideas into commercially viable collections. These skills are crucial for directing innovative designs, ensuring brand consistency, and meeting market demands in a competitive industry.

How does an Apparel Design Director typically collaborate with other departments in a fashion company?

An Apparel Design Director works closely with various teams, including product development, merchandising, marketing, and production. They provide creative direction to design teams, communicate trend forecasts, and ensure that collections align with brand strategy. Regular meetings with merchandising help ensure designs meet market needs, while collaboration with production ensures feasibility and quality. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for managing cross-functional projects and driving cohesive brand vision across departments.
More about Apparel Design Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Apparel Design Director jobs? Cities with the most Apparel Design Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Apparel Design jobs? The most popular types of Apparel Design jobs are:
What states have the most Apparel Design Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Apparel Design Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Apparel Design Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 43% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.
Senior Director, Fashion Design- Non-Apparel Design

Senior Director, Fashion Design- Non-Apparel Design

Walmart

Hoboken, NJ • On-site

$192K - $384K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Walmart rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 22,085 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Position Summary...As the Senior Director, Fashion Design-Non-Apparel Design, you will lead Walmart’s Footwear, Jewelry & Accessories private brand portfolio, ensuring each brand’s DNA, design guidelines, trend relevance, quality, and value meet customer needs and support the Walmart Apparel SBU merchandising goals. You’ll align merchant leadership to brand and assortment direction, and you’ll own the P&L and annual budget for the portfolio.
You’ll work cross-functionally across the Apparel SBU and partner closely with Merchants, Product Development, Sourcing, Marketing/Brand Services, and Omni Merchandising Operations. You’ll also collaborate with your People Partner to build a future-ready talent strategy and a high-performance culture.
This is an onsite role based in our New York office. Portfolios requested with application. What you'll do...
  • Set and drive the design vision and brand identity for the Footwear, Jewelry & Accessories private brand portfolio
  • Ensure brand DNA and design standards are executed consistently across stores and Walmart.com
  • Translate brand direction into product—owning key decisions on silhouettes, materials, and overall assortment expression
  • Partner with Product Development and Sourcing to deliver the line through the right supplier strategy, quality, and cost
  • Collaborate with Marketing/Brand Services to bring the brand to life through cohesive storytelling, packaging, and promotions
  • Use competitive, customer, and pricing insights to strengthen differentiation, improve ROI, and grow market share
  • Align with senior cross-functional partners (e.g., Merchandising Ops, Operations/Replenishment) to deliver omni merchandising objectives
What You’ll Bring…
  • Proven ability to build and execute private brand strategy aligned to long-term business plans and prioritized strategic programs
  • Strong capability to define and maintain a winning brand aesthetic and clear brand DNA/guardrails
  • Data-savvy approach: ability to analyze competition, customer behavior, industry trends, and macro environment insights
  • Omni-channel, customer-first mindset with experience making customer-centric decisions across touchpoints and incorporating actionable customer feedback
  • Demonstrated success leading with ownership, autonomy, and tenacity in a fast-paced, competitive environment
  • Strong cross-functional leadership and influence, including partnership with Merchants, Product Development, Sourcing, and Marketing
  • Experience managing P&L and annual budgets for a brand or portfolio
At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $192,000.00 - $384,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include :
- Stock

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Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, textile design, or related area and 13 years’ experience in apparel design, garment construction, or related area.
Option 2: 15 years’ experience in apparel design, garment construction, or related area.
10 years’ supervisory experience. Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Experience managing global design operations., Thought leadership in fashion industry forums or publications., Track record of leading design transformation and innovation. Primary Location... 45 W 25Th St, New York, NY 10010, United States of America Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.

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About Walmart

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From our humble beginnings as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Ark., Walmart has opened thousands of stores in the U.S. and expanded internationally. Through innovation, we're creating a seamless experience to let customers shop anytime and anywhere online and in stores. We are creating opportunities and bringing value to customers and communities around the globe. Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs in 19 countries and eCommerce websites. We employ 2.1 million associates around the world — nearly 1.6 million in the U.S. alone.

Industry

Retail and transportation and warehousing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bentonville, AR, US

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