Design Director/Sr. Design Director - A&F Mens Knits

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director/Sr. Design Director - A&F Mens Knits Company: Abercrombie and Fitch Co. Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA Job Type: Full-time Category: Design & Merchandising Operations Date Posted: November 6, 2025 Experience Level: 9+ years (with a preference for 10+ years) Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days work from anywhere)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and define the creative direction for Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) Men's Tops categories, driving seasonal design vision and product storytelling.
• Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle from concept to final garment, ensuring excellence in execution and alignment with brand performance objectives.
• Manage and mentor a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages professional development and pushes creative boundaries.
• Actively identify assortment white spaces and new opportunities to drive category growth, demonstrating a keen understanding of market trends and evolving customer needs.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including merchandising, product development, and marketing, to translate compelling product ideas into market-ready offerings.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Design Director or Senior Design Director, indicating a significant level of responsibility and leadership. The focus on "Mens Knits" within the A&F brand specifies the core product category. The hybrid work model with designated "work from anywhere" days suggests a modern approach to work-life integration, common in creative and leadership roles. The AI-derived experience level of "10+" aligns with a senior leadership position, reinforcing the importance of extensive experience in apparel design and leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and communicate the seasonal design vision and aesthetic for A&F Men's Knits, ensuring cohesive product storytelling across all collections.
• Lead the conceptualization and development of new knitwear designs, translating market trends, customer insights, and brand handwriting into actionable design concepts.
• Manage the design calendar and workflow for the A&F Men's Knits category, ensuring timely delivery of all design deliverables from initial sketches to final production samples.
• Conduct in-depth global market research, competitive analysis, and trend forecasting to identify emerging opportunities and inform design strategy.
• Partner with Product Development and Technical Design teams to ensure designs are feasible for production, meeting quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Provide clear and constructive feedback to design team members, fostering skill development and maintaining high standards of creative output.
• Collaborate with Merchandising to align design direction with commercial objectives, assortment planning, and sales performance goals.
• Present design concepts and strategies effectively to senior leadership and cross-functional partners, generating buy-in and excitement.
• Champion innovation within the A&F Men's Knits category, exploring new materials, constructions, and design techniques to differentiate the brand.
• Ensure all designs align with Abercrombie & Fitch's brand identity, quality standards, and customer expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize strategic leadership in design, team management, and cross-functional collaboration, aligning with a Director-level position. The focus on "product storytelling," "white spaces," and "trend translation" highlights the strategic and forward-thinking nature of the role within the operations of a retail design department.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design or a related field is preferred. Experience: 9+ years of experience in apparel design, with a strong emphasis on men's knitwear. A preference for 10+ years of experience is noted.

Required Skills:

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing creative environment.
• Creative Direction & Vision: Demonstrated ability to set and execute a compelling design vision for a specific product category, aligning with brand strategy and market trends.
• Apparel Design Expertise: Deep understanding of men's knitwear, including fabrics, fit, construction techniques, and garment manufacturing processes.
• Trend Forecasting & Market Research: Skill in identifying, analyzing, and translating global market trends and customer insights into actionable design concepts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent ability to partner effectively with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, and Marketing teams.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Experience overseeing the entire design and development process from concept to final sample.
• Communication & Influence: Strong verbal and visual communication skills, with the ability to articulate design strategies and generate excitement across diverse teams.
• Adaptability & Agility: Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic retail environment, demonstrating flexibility and quick thinking.
• Customer Centricity: A strong interest in understanding and designing for the target customer, ensuring product relevance and appeal.
• Technical Knowledge: Solid grasp of fabrics, fit, and construction to guide design development effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the Abercrombie & Fitch brand or similar lifestyle apparel brands.
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for sketching and presentation.
• Experience with 3D design software for virtual prototyping.
• A strong understanding of sustainable design practices and material innovation.
• Proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on market white spaces to drive product innovation and growth.
• Experience contributing to product decisions that directly support total brand outcomes and financial performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" list is directly derived from the "What Do You Need To Bring?" section of the job description. The "Preferred Skills" are inferred based on industry best practices for a Design Director role in apparel, particularly within a large retail organization that values innovation and market responsiveness. The emphasis on "trend awareness," "customer insight," and "technical knowledge" are crucial for operations within a fashion retail context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of men's knitwear design, from initial concept sketches to final product examples.
• Demonstrated ability to translate market trends and brand aesthetics into successful, commercially viable product lines.
• Examples of leadership and team collaboration, illustrating how you've guided design teams to achieve cohesive and impactful collections.
• Case studies or project examples that highlight your process for identifying market white spaces and driving innovation within product assortments.
• Visual documentation of your product development process, including mood boards, color palettes, fabric selections, and technical sketches.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured design process management, including workflow planning, calendar adherence, and sample review stages.
• Examples of how you have collaborated with cross-functional teams (Product Development, Merchandising) to ensure efficient and effective product realization.
• Demonstration of how you gather and utilize customer insights and market research to inform design decisions and optimize product offerings.
• Examples of how you track and analyze design performance against brand objectives and sales metrics, using data to refine future design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original posting doesn't explicitly detail portfolio requirements, a Design Director role in apparel necessitates a robust portfolio. These points are standard expectations for such a position, focusing on visual communication, process management, and impact demonstration within the product development lifecycle, which is a core operational function in fashion retail.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Director/Sr. Design Director role in Columbus, Ohio, with 9-10+ years of experience in apparel design, the estimated salary range is between $130,000 and $180,000 annually. This estimate considers the specified experience level, the senior nature of the role, and the cost of living in Columbus, Ohio, relative to national averages for similar positions.

Benefits: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. offers a comprehensive benefits package designed for associate well-being and professional growth:

• Financial Well-being:
  • Incentive bonus program tied to performance.
  • 401(K) savings plan with a company match for retirement savings.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care.
• Health & Wellness:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
  • Life and disability insurance coverage.
  • Associate Assistance Program (AAP) for confidential support.
  • Access to mental health and wellness resources through the Headspace app.
  • Paid Caregiver Leave.
  • Access to fertility and adoption benefits through Carrot.
  • Seven Associate Wellness Half Days per year.
  • Onsite fitness center.
• Work-Life Integration:
  • Paid Time Off (PTO), including one paid volunteer day per year.
  • Paid parental and adoption leave.
  • "Work From Anywhere" policy: Mondays and Fridays are designated WFA days for most roles, with six "work from anywhere" weeks per year.
• Professional Development & Perks:
  • Annual companywide review process for performance and development.
  • Opportunities for career advancement and internal promotion.
  • Merchandise discount on all Abercrombie & Fitch Co. brands.
  • Access to multiple Associate Resource Groups (ARGs) for community and support.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically involving a standard 40-hour work week. The "Work From Anywhere" policy (Mondays/Fridays and six weeks annually) offers significant flexibility beyond traditional office hours, allowing for better integration of personal needs with professional responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for senior design leadership roles in a major metropolitan area like Columbus, OH, and industry salary data for apparel design directors. The benefits are directly extracted from the provided text, highlighting elements particularly attractive to creative professionals seeking work-life balance and comprehensive support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel & Accessories Retail. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates as a global, digitally led omnichannel specialty retailer. Company Size: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a large enterprise, with operations spanning over 750 stores globally and significant e-commerce presence. The company employs a substantial workforce, indicating a structured corporate environment with numerous opportunities for specialized roles. Founded: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has a long-standing history in retail, evolving significantly over the decades to adapt to market changes and consumer preferences. This history suggests a company that values both heritage and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is central to the brand's identity, managing the full design and development process from concept to final garment.
• Designers are expected to be leaders in market originality and creativity, working within a unique environment that fosters both ownership and collaboration.
• This role specifically leads a team of designers within the A&F Men's Tops categories, reporting into a higher level of design leadership or brand management.
• Close partnerships are maintained with cross-functional teams such as Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, and Marketing to ensure cohesive product execution and brand vision.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The company emphasizes staying close to the customer and researching the global market to ensure product relevance and tune into emerging trends.
• Creative Excellence: A culture that values originality, curiosity, and pushing product to new levels, seeking to be market leaders rather than followers.
• Collaborative Innovation: An environment designed to foster both individual ownership and cross-team collaboration to achieve a cohesive brand vision.
• Agile Adaptation: The ability to quickly adapt to relevant trends and evolving strategies is crucial in the fast-paced retail landscape.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights a commitment to beautiful, authentic designs and quality materials. The emphasis on "ownership and collaboration" and fostering "curiosity" points to a dynamic and empowering work culture for creative professionals. The "digitally led omnichannel" strategy indicates a strong focus on e-commerce integration and data analytics, which would influence design operations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position within the design function, operating at a Director or Senior Director level. It requires extensive experience (9+ years) and the ability to lead a team, define creative strategy, and influence product direction for a significant category. The role is critical to the brand's success by shaping its core product offering and driving market relevance.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director/Sr. Design Director will likely report to a VP of Design, Divisional Head of Design, or a Chief Creative Officer, depending on the specific organizational structure. They will manage a team of designers and collaborate closely with peers in Merchandising, Product Development, and Marketing.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing:

• Revenue Growth: By identifying market white spaces, translating trends into desirable products, and ensuring product-market fit, this role is pivotal for driving sales and achieving financial targets for the A&F Men's category.
• Brand Perception: The quality, style, and trend relevance of the knitwear collection directly shape customer perception of the Abercrombie & Fitch brand, influencing brand loyalty and market positioning.
• Product Lifecycle Efficiency: Effective leadership and process management ensure that product development cycles are optimized, leading to faster in-market delivery and reduced waste.
• Team Development: Building and nurturing a talented team of designers contributes to the long-term creative capacity and innovation pipeline of the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to VP Level: Successful performance and demonstrated leadership could lead to progression to Vice President of Design or a similar senior executive role within the apparel division.
• Brand Expansion: Opportunities to take on design leadership for additional product categories or even oversee multiple brands within the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. portfolio.
• Strategic Influence: Increased involvement in broader brand strategy, trend forecasting, and long-term product vision development.
• Mentorship & Leadership Development: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to leadership development programs within the company.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader product management or merchandising leadership roles, leveraging deep product expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career progression outlined assumes a typical trajectory for a Design Director in a large retail organization. The focus is on moving from category-specific leadership to broader strategic influence and management, leveraging deep operational knowledge of the product lifecycle.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in Columbus, Ohio, and operates under a hybrid work model. While specific office details are not provided, it's typical for large retail headquarters to offer modern, collaborative office spaces designed to facilitate creative work and team interaction. The "work from anywhere" component indicates a trust-based culture that values output over constant physical presence.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Columbus, Ohio, USA. This is Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s headquarters, suggesting a central hub for design, merchandising, and corporate functions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is likely designed to foster collaboration, with spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional work.
• Creative Resources: Access to design studios, sample rooms, and potentially material libraries would be expected.
• Technology Enabled: The workspace will be equipped with the necessary technology and tools to support design, communication, and hybrid work arrangements.
• Team Interaction: Designated in-office days (3 per week) are structured to maximize face-to-face interaction with design teams, merchandising partners, and other key stakeholders, facilitating efficient communication and idea exchange.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time (approx. 40 hours/week). The hybrid model offers flexibility, with employees expected to be in the office for a portion of the week, balancing in-person collaboration with remote work days. This structure is designed to support both focused individual work and dynamic team engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature of the work environment, indicating a company that embraces modern work practices. The emphasis on collaboration in-office aligns with the need for creative teams to interact directly, while remote days offer focused work time.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a VP of Design or similar) to delve deeper into experience, leadership style, and specific design expertise in men's knits.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their design portfolio, showcasing their work, design process, and ability to articulate their creative vision and impact. This may involve presenting case studies of past successes.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Merchandising, Product Development, and potentially Marketing to assess collaboration skills and understanding of the broader product lifecycle.
• Executive Interview: For Sr. Design Director roles, a final interview with senior leadership (e.g., Chief Creative Officer) may be required to assess strategic thinking and overall fit with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that specifically highlight your expertise in men's knits, demonstrating a range of styles, techniques, and successful outcomes.
• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem or opportunity, your design process, the insights that guided your decisions, and the quantifiable results or impact. Focus on storytelling to make your work memorable.
• Showcase Process: Include mood boards, trend research, sketches, fabric swatches, and technical details to illustrate your comprehensive design methodology.
• Highlight Leadership: If possible, include examples of how you've led teams, mentored designers, or influenced design strategy.
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., sales performance, customer feedback, market share growth).
• Brand Alignment: Ensure your portfolio presentation clearly shows how your design aesthetic and approach align with the Abercrombie & Fitch brand.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise, which might involve creating a small capsule collection based on a given brief, demonstrating your ability to respond to market needs and brand direction quickly.
• Strategic Thinking: Practice articulating your approach to identifying market white spaces, forecasting trends, and developing a cohesive design strategy for a category.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle design challenges, manage difficult team dynamics, or align conflicting stakeholder opinions.
• Presentation Skills: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to be concise, engaging, and impactful, ensuring you can clearly communicate complex ideas within a set timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process is extrapolated from standard practices for senior creative leadership roles in the fashion retail industry. The emphasis on portfolio presentation and potential design challenges reflects the hands-on, visual nature of the design discipline.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) is essential for creating sketches, technical flats, and visual presentations. Proficiency in these is a baseline requirement.
• 3D Design Software: Increasingly, roles like this benefit from or require experience with 3D design tools (e.g., Browzwear, CLO 3D) for virtual prototyping, reducing physical sample needs, and improving efficiency in the design process.
• PLM Systems: Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software (e.g., Centric PLM, Lectra, PTC) is crucial for managing product data, specifications, and workflows throughout the development cycle.
• Collaboration Platforms: Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana for team communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Trend Forecasting Platforms: Access to and utilization of subscription-based trend forecasting services (e.g., WGSN, Fashion Snoops) for market research and inspiration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Sales/Performance Data: Proficiency in interpreting and utilizing internal sales reports, conversion data, and customer feedback to inform design decisions.
• Business Intelligence Tools: Familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for analyzing performance metrics and creating visual dashboards, though direct use might be by analysts.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly using CRM for customer interaction, an understanding of how customer data and insights from CRM systems inform design briefs is beneficial.
• Familiarity with workflow automation tools is less critical for a design role but understanding how design processes integrate with broader enterprise automation is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for senior design roles in apparel retail, focusing on creative execution, product lifecycle management, and data-informed decision-making. Proficiency in design software and PLM systems is paramount for operational efficiency in this domain.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value that drives the pursuit of original designs and market leadership, encouraging designers to push boundaries.
• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and designing for the target customer, ensuring product relevance and desirability.
• Collaboration & Ownership: Fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to take ownership of their work while actively collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Quality & Authenticity: A dedication to beautiful designs, quality materials, and authentic brand expression.
• Agility & Adaptability: Valuing the ability to respond quickly to market changes, trends, and evolving business strategies in a fast-paced environment.
• Inclusivity: As highlighted by the company's emphasis on Associate Resource Groups and celebrating individuality ("celebrate you for being YOU!"), inclusivity is a key cultural driver.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: The company culture emphasizes strong partnerships between design and other departments (Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing) to ensure a cohesive and successful product launch.
• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogue and feedback exchange to drive innovation and problem-solving.
• Team-Oriented: A collaborative approach where collective success is prioritized, and individuals are encouraged to support each other's development and contributions.
• Data-Informed Discussions: While creativity is key, discussions are often informed by market research, customer insights, and sales performance data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values are synthesized from the company description and the general ethos of a creative, consumer-facing brand. The emphasis on collaboration and data-informed decision-making is crucial for operational success in a retail design context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapid Trend Cycles: Keeping pace with fast-moving fashion trends and translating them into A&F's specific aesthetic requires constant vigilance and agility.
• Balancing Creativity with Commerciality: The challenge of developing innovative and exciting designs that also meet commercial viability, cost targets, and brand guidelines.
• Managing a Diverse Team: Leading and motivating a team of creatives with varying styles, experiences, and aspirations requires strong interpersonal and management skills.
• Navigating Global Markets: Understanding and catering to diverse customer preferences and market nuances across different regions.
• Sustainability Demands: Increasingly, there's pressure to incorporate sustainable materials and practices into the design and development process, which can present new challenges.
• Hybrid Work Management: Optimizing team collaboration and productivity within a hybrid work environment, ensuring seamless communication and project flow.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore new design technologies, software, and innovative materials.
• Leadership Development Programs: Access to formal training and mentorship focused on enhancing leadership, strategic thinking, and people management skills.
• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry trade shows, conferences, and trend forecasting seminars to stay ahead of the curve.
• Cross-Brand Exposure: Opportunities to learn about and potentially contribute to the design strategies of other brands within the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. portfolio.
• Mentorship: Being mentored by senior leaders within Abercrombie & Fitch Co. or having the opportunity to mentor emerging talent, fostering personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the nature of the fashion retail industry and the specific requirements of a senior design role. Growth opportunities focus on advancing within the company and expanding skill sets relevant to design leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a seasonal design vision for a specific product category like men's knits. How do you balance market trends with brand identity?" (Focus on your strategic approach, research methods, and how you translate insights into a cohesive vision.)
• "How do you identify and capitalize on 'white space' opportunities within an established product assortment to drive growth and innovation?" (Prepare examples of how you've spotted unmet needs or emerging trends and developed successful products to address them.)
• "Walk me through a time you had to influence cross-functional partners (e.g., Merchandising, Product Development) to adopt a new design direction. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your communication, collaboration, and influence skills with a specific, results-oriented example.)
• "How do you foster a creative and collaborative environment within your design team, and how do you support the professional development of your direct reports?" (Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy, mentorship style, and methods for team building.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the Abercrombie & Fitch brand, and how do you see your design philosophy aligning with our brand handwriting and customer?" (Research the brand's current direction, target customer, and aesthetic. Connect your personal style and expertise to these elements.)
• "How do you approach working in a hybrid environment, and what are your strategies for ensuring effective collaboration with your team and cross-functional partners when working remotely?" (Highlight your understanding of hybrid work best practices and your commitment to maintaining strong working relationships.)
• "Abercrombie & Fitch Co. values authenticity and celebrating individuality. How do you bring these values into your design process and team leadership?" (Reflect on how you encourage unique perspectives and diverse contributions.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by season, category, or project type. Clearly label each piece with the context, your role, and the outcome.
• Narrative Focus: For each selected project, tell a compelling story: the objective, your creative process, the challenges, your solutions, and the impact (sales, customer reception, etc.).
• Visual Clarity: Ensure your visuals are high-quality and easy to understand. Use mood boards, sketches, technical drawings, and final product images effectively.
• Quantify Success: Wherever possible, use metrics to support your claims of success. Numbers speak volumes in a commercial environment.
• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be impactful and engaging without rushing or exceeding the allotted time. Be prepared to answer questions thoughtfully.
• Brand Relevance: Explicitly connect your work to the A&F brand and its customer. Show you understand their world.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored to a senior design leadership role in retail, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership, creative process, and brand alignment. The portfolio presentation advice is critical for this type of role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director/Sr. Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your design portfolio is up-to-date and specifically curated to highlight your expertise in men's knitwear, leadership experience, and alignment with the Abercrombie & Fitch brand aesthetic.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize quantifiable achievements in design leadership, product development, trend translation, and team management. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for potential interview questions covering design strategy, leadership, collaboration, and market trends. Practice articulating your design process and impact.
• Company Research: Deeply research Abercrombie & Fitch Co., its brands, target customer, and current market position. Understand their values and recent initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details, especially regarding salary estimates and specific interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.