Design Director, Ready-to-Wear Pre-Collection

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director, Ready-to-Wear Pre-Collection

Company: Tory Burch

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design & Product Development

Date Posted: June 04, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creative vision and execution for the Ready-to-Wear (RTW) Pre-Collection, ensuring brand aesthetic alignment and commercial viability.

• Lead and mentor a team of RTW designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance design environment.

• Oversee the complete product lifecycle from concept generation and trend research to final sample approval and commercialization.

• Manage specific categories within RTW, including swimwear and cover-ups, maintaining design integrity and quality standards.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Merchandising and Product Development, to ensure cohesive storytelling and timely delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided information focuses heavily on design and creative aspects, the "Director" title and the emphasis on managing the "full product lifecycle" and "cross-functional collaboration" suggest a strong need for organizational and process management skills. The target candidate will need to demonstrate not just creative talent but also the ability to operationalize the design process, manage timelines, and influence stakeholders, which are critical for success in a Director-level role within a luxury brand.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Ready-to-Wear (RTW) designers in the creation of elevated product across the RTW Pre-Collection categories, ensuring strong brand alignment.

• Manage the RTW swimwear categories, inclusive of cover-ups and caftans, from concept to final product.

• Uphold design integrity, high-quality execution, and calendar adherence throughout the entire development process, from concept through engineering and commercialization.

• Create original sketches, detailed technical packs, and design specifications for sampling and production.

• Conduct in-depth research on global fashion trends, fabric innovations, color palettes, and silhouettes to inspire seasonal direction and maintain a competitive edge.

• Provide constructive feedback to design team members on seasonal mood boards, color palettes, and thematic storytelling.

• Ensure cohesive storytelling and commercial relevance across the entire RTW Pre-Collection assortment.

• Manage the product lifecycle from initial concept ideation through final sample approval.

• Mentor and manage a team of designers and assistant designers, fostering their creative development, collaboration, and performance.

• Partner with the Merchandising team to analyze product performance, identify key learnings, and guide future product assortments.

• Maintain excellent partnerships and clear communication with internal cross-functional teams, including Merchandising and Product Development/Technical Design, as well as external manufacturing partners.

• Attend fittings and provide clear, concise design direction and comments to ensure optimal fit and aesthetic alignment with the brand vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project management and process oversight, particularly concerning calendar adherence and managing the "full product lifecycle." This implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss how they structure their work, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and ensure deliverables meet deadlines in a fast-paced luxury environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related field is typically expected for a Design Director role in the fashion industry.

Experience: 12+ years of progressive design experience in womenswear, with a significant focus on wovens and a proven track record of leading design teams and successful RTW collections from concept to market.

Required Skills:

• 12+ years of design experience in womenswear, with a strong focus on wovens.

• Proven leadership experience, including managing design teams and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully bringing RTW collections from concept to market.

• Strong understanding of garment construction, fabric behavior, and patternmaking principles.

• Excellent hand sketching and/or digital sketching ability to translate concepts into visual designs.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for design creation and presentation.

• Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience developing product directly with factories, with a comprehensive understanding of development from concept through engineering.

• Exceptional sense of style, color, and ability to conceptualize cohesive collections that align with brand identity.

• Strong communication, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence and drive change through effective partnerships.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment common in the fashion industry.

• A strong digital portfolio of work is required to showcase design capabilities and project history. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with swimwear and cover-up design specifically.

• Familiarity with advanced digital design tools or 3D design software.

• Experience in luxury fashion market segments and understanding of premium material sourcing.

• Knowledge of sustainable design practices and materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "12+ years of design experience" and "proven leadership experience" indicates this role is for a seasoned professional. Candidates should highlight instances where they have not only designed but also managed teams, mentored junior designers, and successfully navigated the complexities of product development within a brand structure. The emphasis on "wovens" suggests a need for expertise in tailored garments, dresses, skirts, and trousers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive digital portfolio showcasing a range of Ready-to-Wear Pre-Collection designs, with a particular emphasis on wovens and swimwear categories.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating the full product lifecycle management for at least 2-3 successful RTW collections, from initial concept to market launch.

• Examples of technical packs, detailed design specifications, and construction notes.

• Visuals of mood boards, color palettes, and thematic storytelling for past collections.

• Evidence of collaboration with merchandising and product development teams, illustrating how design input influenced final product assortments and commercial success.

• Documentation of leadership and team management, including examples of how you mentored and developed junior designers. Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the process workflow for RTW Pre-Collection design, from concept ideation and trend research through to final sample approval.

• Detail methods used for quality control and design integrity checks throughout the development cycle.

• Provide examples of how you ensure calendar adherence and manage timelines effectively across multiple projects and team members.

• Showcase experience in managing product development with external factories, including communication protocols and problem-solving strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong digital portfolio" is paramount. Candidates should prepare to walk through their portfolio, explaining their design process, the inspiration behind specific pieces, the technical challenges they overcame, and the commercial impact of their work. This is where operations-minded candidates can shine by demonstrating their ability to connect creative vision with tangible business results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $230,000 USD per year.

• Explanation: This range is provided directly in the job posting and aligns with senior design leadership roles in the luxury fashion industry in New York City, considering the experience level (10+ years) and responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Mental Health Support services

• Physical Health Support programs

• Financial Security Benefits (e.g., 401k matching, life insurance – specific details not provided but implied by "financial security")

• Generous Employee Discount on Tory Burch products.

• Access to exclusive Sample Sales for further savings.

• On-demand access to free Executive Coaching for professional development.

• Paid Volunteer Days to support community initiatives through the Tory Burch Foundation.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time).

• Note: While the standard is 40 hours, the "fast-paced, deadline-driven environment" may necessitate occasional extended hours, particularly during peak design and development periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Design Director role in New York City. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their salary expectations and how their experience and skills justify a figure within this range. The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, professional development, and brand affinity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Luxury Fashion / American Lifestyle Brand. Tory Burch is known for its casual elegance, defined by effortless silhouettes, innovative materials, and a blend of past and present.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Tory Burch is a significant global brand with a substantial employee base, likely falling into the "large enterprise" category (e.g., 1,000+ employees). This size implies a structured organization with established processes and opportunities for growth.

Founded: 2004. This relatively young founding date suggests a dynamic, growth-oriented company culture that values innovation and adaptability.

Team Structure:

• The Design team for Ready-to-Wear Pre-Collection is likely composed of a Director (this role), several designers, assistant designers, and potentially technical designers or patternmakers who report into or collaborate closely with this role.

• This team will operate within a larger Design department and will have significant touchpoints with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, and potentially Marketing/Creative teams.

• The reporting structure will be hierarchical, with the Design Director reporting to a higher-level design executive (e.g., VP of Design or Chief Creative Officer). Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role emphasizes partnering with merchandising to analyze performance and guide future product assortments, indicating a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Process Optimization: The focus on calendar adherence and managing the full product lifecycle suggests a commitment to efficient and streamlined design processes.

• Collaborative Innovation: The emphasis on fostering creative development, collaboration, and cross-functional partnerships highlights a methodology where diverse perspectives contribute to product innovation.

Company Website: https://www.toryburch.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Tory Burch's culture is described as "welcoming and inclusive," valuing "dreaming, exploring, discovering, and laughing." This suggests a balance between a high-achieving, fast-paced environment and a supportive, human-centric workplace. The emphasis on "empowering women" through the brand and foundation is a core value that permeates the company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level leadership role, a "Design Director," responsible for a significant product category and managing a team. It sits at a critical intersection of creative vision and operational execution within the product development pipeline.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director will report to a senior executive within the Design department (e.g., VP of Design, Chief Creative Officer). They will, in turn, manage a team of designers and assistant designers. This structure requires strong leadership and the ability to translate executive vision into actionable design plans.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on revenue through the successful design and commercialization of the RTW Pre-Collection. Effective management of this collection influences sales, brand perception, and inventory management. The Director's ability to balance creative direction with market demands and production realities is crucial for the company's financial success and brand positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher executive design roles, such as VP of Design or Creative Director for broader categories or the entire brand.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in luxury fashion, advanced design technologies, global trend forecasting, and team leadership through executive coaching and industry exposure.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead broader product initiatives or contribute to strategic decisions impacting multiple departments beyond design.

• Brand Stewardship: Growing influence on the overall brand narrative and aesthetic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Director role, significant emphasis will be placed on strategic thinking, influencing stakeholders, and managing complex projects. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their vision for the RTW Pre-Collection and how they would operationalize it to achieve both creative excellence and business objectives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in New York, NY, and is specified as "On-site." This suggests a traditional office environment within Tory Burch's New York headquarters, designed to foster collaboration and creativity.

Office Location(s): New York, NY. This implies working within a major fashion hub, offering access to industry resources, talent, and inspiration.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with designers working together and interacting closely with other departments like Merchandising and Product Development.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including Adobe Creative Suite, PLM systems, and potentially physical sample rooms and material libraries.

• Opportunities for team interaction and brainstorming sessions, critical for developing cohesive collections.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time, 40 hours per week. However, the dynamic nature of the fashion industry and the specific mention of a "fast-paced, deadline-driven environment" suggest that flexibility and occasional extended hours may be required to meet critical deadlines for collections and product launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in New York City is crucial for this role, enabling immediate collaboration and immersion in the brand's creative ecosystem. Candidates should be comfortable with a hands-on, in-office environment that prioritizes in-person synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: A key stage will involve presenting a digital portfolio to the hiring manager and potentially senior design leadership. This is where candidates demonstrate their creative vision, technical skills, and understanding of the Tory Burch brand.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about design philosophy, leadership style, experience with product lifecycle management, and ability to manage a team and cross-functional relationships.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Merchandising, Product Development, and potentially Marketing to assess collaboration capabilities and strategic alignment.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall strategic vision and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in womenswear, wovens, and ideally, swimwear. Highlight collections where you demonstrated leadership and managed the full product lifecycle.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the inspiration, design process, technical considerations, challenges overcome, and the commercial outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "collection contributed to X% of sales," "reduced development time by Y%").

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate a clear understanding of the Tory Burch aesthetic and how your design approach aligns with and can elevate the brand.

• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your technical skills, including construction, fabric knowledge, and proficiency with design software.

• Leadership Examples: Integrate examples of how you've led teams, mentored designers, and collaborated effectively within your portfolio presentation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: You may be asked to present a concept for a mini-collection based on a given theme or trend, or to critique and propose improvements for an existing Tory Burch product. Focus on demonstrating your creative process, brand understanding, and strategic thinking.

• Case Study: Be ready to discuss a past project in detail, focusing on challenges, solutions, and outcomes, particularly concerning process management, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Strategic Questions: Prepare to answer questions about your design philosophy, how you stay current with trends, how you manage a design team, and how you balance creative vision with commercial demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical. Candidates should not only present beautiful designs but also demonstrate a structured approach to design and development, highlighting their ability to manage processes, timelines, and teams effectively. This is where operations-minded individuals can differentiate themselves.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator (for technical flats, sketches), Photoshop (for mood boards, renderings, presentations).

• PLM Systems: Proficiency in a Product Lifecycle Management system for managing product data, specifications, and development tracking. Specific system not mentioned, but common ones include Centric PLM, Lectra, or others.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Excel (for data analysis, tracking), PowerPoint (for presentations), Word (for documentation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly design tools, candidates will need to interpret reports from Merchandising and potentially Sales/E-commerce. Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools that can inform design decisions is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the design role itself, but understanding how CRM data and sales insights inform demand forecasting and product assortment is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and PLM systems is a hard requirement. Candidates should be prepared to speak about their experience with these tools, including specific features they leverage for efficiency and effectiveness in the design and development process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Adaptable: The company values the ability to "change before we have to," indicating a proactive approach to market shifts and innovation.

• Entrepreneurial: A strong sense of ownership ("We own it") is encouraged, suggesting a culture where individuals take initiative and responsibility.

• Collaborative: "There’s no 'I' in Tory," emphasizing teamwork and collective effort. This is crucial for cross-functional success.

• Client & Brand Focused: A commitment to understanding and serving the customer and upholding the brand's integrity.

• Live the Values: Demonstrating integrity, compassion, passion, humility, excellence, and humor in daily interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close partnership with Merchandising and Product Development, necessitating clear, proactive communication and a shared understanding of goals.

• Process-Oriented: While creative, the team operates within defined processes to ensure timely delivery and quality. Feedback loops are important for continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages learning and growth, likely with opportunities to share insights and best practices within the design team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "TeamTory Values" are a cornerstone of the company's culture. Candidates should be able to articulate how their personal values and work style align with these principles, particularly in areas like "honesty & kindness," "passion & humility," and "excellence & humor."

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: The primary challenge is to create innovative, on-brand designs that also meet sales targets and production feasibility within strict timelines.

• Managing a Fast-Paced Environment: The fashion industry is notoriously demanding. Meeting tight deadlines for multiple pre-collections and seasonal lines requires exceptional organizational skills and the ability to perform under pressure.

• Leading and Developing a Design Team: Effectively motivating, mentoring, and guiding a team of creatives, each with unique strengths and development needs, requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously researching and interpreting global fashion trends, fabric innovations, and consumer preferences to ensure the brand remains relevant and exciting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore new digital design tools, 3D modeling, or innovative material applications.

• Leadership Training: Access to executive coaching and potential internal leadership development programs to hone management and strategic skills.

• Industry Exposure: Attending fashion weeks, trade shows, and industry events to gain insights and network.

• Cross-Functional Understanding: Deepening knowledge of merchandising strategies, product development processes, and market dynamics through collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should frame challenges as opportunities for growth. For instance, mention how managing tight deadlines has honed their project management skills or how leading a diverse team has improved their communication and motivational abilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a Ready-to-Wear Pre-Collection for a brand like Tory Burch. How do you balance trend forecasting with brand identity and commercial viability?" (Focus on process, research, and strategic thinking.)

• "Walk me through a time you had to manage a significant design challenge or a difficult cross-functional collaboration. What was the situation, what was your role, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, communication, and leadership.)

• "How do you effectively mentor and develop junior designers? Provide an example of how you've helped a team member grow their skills." (Demonstrate leadership and team development capabilities.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the Tory Burch brand and the opportunity to work on the RTW Pre-Collection?" (Showcase brand understanding and genuine interest.)

• "How do you align your personal work style with Tory Burch's values, such as being adaptable, entrepreneurial, and collaborative?" (Connect your values to company culture.)

• "How do you measure the success of a design collection beyond just aesthetics?" (Focus on commercial impact, sales performance, and team collaboration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your design philosophy and experience. Then, present 3-4 key projects, dedicating 5-7 minutes to each.

• Content per Project:

  • Brief: What was the objective/brief?
  • Inspiration: What were the key influences (trends, market, brand)?
  • Process: Show sketches, technical packs, fabric choices, development stages.
  • Challenges: What obstacles did you face (fit, materials, timeline)? How did you overcome them?
  • Outcome: What was the commercial result? What was the impact on the brand? (Quantify if possible.)

• Interactivity: Be prepared for questions and discussions. Engage your audience and be open to feedback.

• Focus on Operations: For each project, subtly highlight your role in process management, timeline adherence, and cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Practice your portfolio presentation thoroughly. Be ready to articulate the "why" behind your design choices and the operational steps you took to bring them to life. Emphasize how you managed resources, timelines, and teams to achieve successful outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the Tory Burch careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 12+ years of womenswear design experience, specific expertise in wovens and swimwear, proven leadership in managing design teams, and successful end-to-end product lifecycle management. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Digital Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is impeccably organized, visually compelling, and showcases your best work relevant to RTW Pre-Collection and the Tory Burch brand. Include case studies that demonstrate your process, creativity, and commercial impact.

• Research Tory Burch: Deeply understand the brand's aesthetic, history, current collections, and values. Familiarize yourself with their approach to sustainability and their foundation's work.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear communication, strategic storytelling, and highlighting your operational approach to design leadership. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you foster collaboration.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.