Urban Outfitters Assistant Design Director - Denim & Structured Wovens

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Urban Outfitters Assistant Design Director - Denim & Structured Wovens

Company: Urban Outfitters

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Apparel Design & Product Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-14

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and product roadmap for Denim Lifestyle, Casual Wovens, and Structured product within the BDG brand's Women's Design division.

• Drive innovation in denim fits, washes, fabrications, and construction, while identifying emerging trends in casual woven apparel and structured pieces.

• Translate seasonal concepts, market trends, and customer insights into a cohesive and commercially viable product assortment with a strong outfitting point of view.

• Foster a collaborative and high-performing design team, providing mentorship and clear direction to achieve creative and technical excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed within the context of apparel design operations, focusing on the strategic and tactical execution of product creation, rather than traditional revenue or sales operations. The emphasis is on product lifecycle management, trend integration, and team leadership within a design department that directly impacts product strategy and market success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Seasonal Vision & Assortment Strategy: Partner with the Head of Design to translate overarching seasonal concepts into a detailed product vision and actionable roadmap for denim lifestyle, casual wovens, and structured product categories, ensuring a balance of key items, core franchises, outfitting opportunities, and forward-looking newness.

• Trend & Customer Insight Translation: Maintain a deep understanding of the Urban Outfitters customer, fashion trends, denim culture, vintage aesthetics, runway influences, emerging brands, and global youth culture to inform product direction. Translate research into relevant silhouettes, proportions, details, and innovative product opportunities through a distinct UO brand lens.

• Denim & Product Innovation: Spearhead the continuous evolution of denim fits, washes, fabrications, finishes, and construction techniques. Identify and capitalize on new opportunities across woven bottoms, shirting, jackets, utility wear, and structured silhouettes, consistently refining successful franchises while proactively seeking what's next in apparel.

• Fabric & Raw Material Development: Lead seasonal fabric, wash, trim, and raw-material development initiatives in close collaboration with Product Development, R&D, and Sourcing teams, ensuring the product vision is realized while adhering to critical quality, cost, margin, and scalability requirements.

• Product Execution & Quality Assurance: Oversee the end-to-end product execution process, from initial concept and sketching through development, fitting, sample review, and finalization. Uphold exceptionally high standards for fit, proportion, fabrication, wash, construction, detail, and finish, proactively identifying and resolving issues early in the development cycle.

• Business & Commercial Analysis: Analyze weekly selling data, product rankings, and velocity metrics. Collaborate closely with the Buying team to identify market whitespace, chase opportunities, emerging product franchises, and areas for product evolution. Leverage business performance insights to inform future product direction without stifling innovation.

• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the Women's Design team, establishing clear expectations for creativity, taste level, technical execution, ownership, and accountability. Provide constructive, in-the-moment feedback and create growth opportunities that strengthen individual designer talent and elevate the overall team's capabilities.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Project Management: Establish and maintain strong partnerships with Buying, Product Development, Production, R&D, Sourcing, and Print + Color departments. Own seasonal milestones, product set-ups, fittings, and presentations, effectively managing calendars and budgets, anticipating potential obstacles, and driving clear, timely decisions to maintain project momentum and product advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on product lifecycle management, strategic assortment planning, and cross-functional operational alignment, which are core to GTM (Go-to-Market) and product operations functions within the apparel industry.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Merchandising, or a related field is preferred, though extensive relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.

Experience: 10+ years of progressive apparel design experience, with a significant and demonstrable specialization in denim, washed product, casual wovens, bottoms, jackets, and structured product categories. Proven experience in leading and developing design teams is essential.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional taste and a strong, intuitive understanding of product, with the ability to translate creative concepts into compelling, commercially relevant apparel designs.

• Deep connection to the Urban Outfitters customer demographic, with a nuanced understanding of contemporary fashion, denim culture, vintage aesthetics, runway trends, emerging brands, and global youth and cultural movements.

• Expert technical knowledge of denim and apparel construction, encompassing fit, proportion, fabrications, trims, wash processes, dye techniques, finishing methods, garment treatments, and manufacturing processes.

• Strong fabric and raw-material knowledge, with the ability to identify, develop, and direct the use of materials, washes, and techniques that drive product newness while balancing quality, cost, margin, and scalability.

• Proven creative leadership skills, including the ability to set clear design direction, make confident and decisive product selections, effectively develop design talent, and inspire a team towards a unified seasonal vision.

• Strong business and analytical acumen, with a solid understanding of retail performance metrics and the capacity to leverage selling insights to identify market opportunities, evolve successful product franchises, and inform forward-looking product strategy.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership capabilities, with the ability to articulate a clear design point of view, influence key stakeholders, collaborate effectively across departments, and present product direction with confidence and conviction.

• Highly organized, proactive, and solution-oriented approach to work, with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, anticipate potential challenges, and drive tasks forward efficiently within a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for design and presentation purposes. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Tradestone or similar Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and Bill of Materials (BOM) management.

• Familiarity with AI-enabled creative tools and their application in design and trend forecasting.

• Experience in leading fittings and product reviews independently.

• Understanding of global sourcing and production processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of creative vision, technical design expertise, and leadership acumen, which are critical for a senior role in apparel design operations, focusing on product execution and market readiness.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record in denim, washed product, casual wovens, and structured apparel design, demonstrating a clear progression of creative and technical skills.

• Demonstration of the ability to translate trend research and customer insights into commercially successful product assortments, with clear examples of seasonal vision setting.

• Case studies highlighting innovative approaches to denim washes, fabrications, and garment construction, showcasing technical problem-solving and material development expertise.

• Examples of product execution from concept to final sample, emphasizing attention to detail in fit, proportion, and finish, and illustrating the process of driving product through development.

• Evidence of leadership and mentorship within a design team, with examples of how talent was developed and how team goals were achieved. Process Documentation:

• Workflow design and optimization: Showcase examples of how you have structured and improved design processes, from initial concept ideation through to final product handoff to production.

• Implementation and automation methods: Illustrate experience with design software and systems (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, PLM) and how they were utilized to enhance efficiency and streamline the design workflow.

• Measurement and performance analysis: Provide examples of how design decisions were informed by business performance data (sales, rankings, Velo metrics) and how the impact of design choices was analyzed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored to showcase practical design execution, strategic thinking, and operational process management within the apparel product development lifecycle.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Assistant Design Director roles in Philadelphia, PA, with 10+ years of experience in a competitive retail environment, the estimated annual salary range is between $110,000 and $150,000. This estimate accounts for the specialized expertise in denim and structured wovens, leadership responsibilities, and the cost of living in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage options to support employee well-being.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay to ensure work-life balance.

• Generous Employee Discounts: Significant discounts on Urban Outfitters merchandise and other URBN brands.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Options for 401(k) or similar plans to support long-term financial planning.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and potential attendance at relevant industry events to foster continuous learning.

• Potential for Performance Bonuses: Eligibility for bonuses based on individual and company performance, tied to business objectives and product success.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring approximately 40 hours per week. While a standard business schedule is expected, flexibility may be necessary during peak design periods, seasonal deadlines, and for critical cross-functional meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for similar roles and locations, considering the specified experience level and industry. Actual compensation will be determined by the employer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel Retail (Fast Fashion/Youth Lifestyle)

Company Size: Large (URBN operates multiple brands with thousands of employees globally)

Founded: 1970 (Urban Outfitters was founded in 1970, establishing a long-standing presence in youth-focused retail and lifestyle branding.)

Team Structure:

• The Women's Design team for the BDG brand is likely a specialized unit within Urban Outfitters' larger design organization, comprising designers, assistant designers, and technical designers focused on specific product categories.

• This role reports to the Senior Design Director, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design department, with clear lines of reporting and oversight for creative direction and team management.

• Close collaboration is expected with Buying, Product Development, R&D, Sourcing, and Print + Color teams, highlighting a matrixed operational environment where cross-functional partnerships are crucial for product execution. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role requires integrating sales data, market analysis, and customer feedback to inform design decisions, ensuring product relevance and commercial viability.

• Trend-Informed Creativity: A balance between following current fashion and cultural trends and driving forward-thinking, innovative design concepts relevant to the UO customer.

• Iterative Product Development: A process that involves concept, sketching, development, fitting, and refinement, with a strong emphasis on quality and execution through cross-functional collaboration.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes a fast-paced, trend-driven retail environment where design operations are tightly integrated with commercial objectives and cross-functional execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior management level within the design function, equivalent to an Assistant Director. It signifies a transition from individual contributor design to leading a significant product category and managing a team, with substantial impact on product strategy and business outcomes.

Reporting Structure: The Assistant Design Director reports directly to the Senior Design Director, Women's Design. This reporting line suggests a clear path for escalating strategic decisions, receiving mentorship on leadership and creative direction, and contributing to broader departmental goals.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is direct and substantial, influencing the aesthetic direction, product quality, and commercial success of key product categories (Denim, Wovens, Structured) for the BDG brand. Effective execution of this role directly contributes to revenue generation, brand perception, and customer loyalty by delivering desirable and well-executed products to the market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design Director: Advancement to Senior Design Director, overseeing a broader range of product categories or a larger design team, with increased strategic responsibility for the brand's overall design direction.

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepening expertise in specific areas of apparel design, potentially becoming a recognized authority in denim innovation or sustainable material development within the company.

• Creative Leadership: Transitioning into broader creative leadership roles, such as Head of Design or Creative Director, influencing brand aesthetics across multiple product lines or divisions.

• Mentorship & Training: Developing strong leadership skills through mentoring junior designers, potentially leading to formal training or management development programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career growth within this role focuses on advancing within the design leadership track, emphasizing increased strategic input, team management, and brand-level creative influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office-based work environment within Urban Outfitters' corporate headquarters or design studio in Philadelphia. The environment is likely designed to foster collaboration and creativity.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Philadelphia, PA, at 5000 S Broad St. This location serves as the hub for corporate functions, including design, merchandising, and product development, facilitating seamless interaction with relevant departments.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Studio Environment: Expect a dynamic studio space that encourages interaction, brainstorming, and peer feedback among designers, product developers, and buyers.

• Access to Design Tools: The workspace will be equipped with necessary design tools, including advanced computer hardware and software (Adobe Creative Suite), sample racks, fitting rooms, and potentially material libraries.

• Cross-Functional Proximity: Being on-site allows for immediate and frequent communication with cross-functional teams, including buyers, product developers, and sourcing specialists, crucial for efficient product development cycles.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically requiring around 40 hours per week. The schedule is generally aligned with standard business hours but may require flexibility to meet seasonal deadlines, attend fittings, or participate in urgent cross-functional discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, hands-on product development, and immediate access to physical samples and cross-functional teams within the apparel design process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and creative output. Be prepared to articulate your design philosophy and key achievements.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, walking through key projects, design processes, and commercial successes. A specific design challenge related to denim or wovens may be assigned to assess problem-solving skills, trend interpretation, and technical execution.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Buying, Product Development, and potentially Marketing/Merchandising to evaluate collaboration style, business acumen, and understanding of the UO customer.

• Leadership & Cultural Fit Interview: A final interview with senior leadership (e.g., Head of Design, VP of Merchandising) to assess leadership potential, cultural alignment with Urban Outfitters' values, and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in denim, wovens, and structured product, highlighting your ability to create cohesive assortments and outfitting strategies.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the creative process, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the commercial outcome or impact. Use clear visuals and concise narratives.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Include examples of detailed technical flats, construction call-outs, fabric/wash developments, and fit commentary to showcase your technical knowledge.

• Highlight Commercial Acumen: Integrate selling data, market insights, or customer trend analysis into your project descriptions to demonstrate how your designs meet business objectives.

• Showcase Leadership: If applicable, include examples of how you've mentored junior designers or led projects, illustrating your leadership capabilities.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Deeply research Urban Outfitters' current aesthetic, target customer, key product categories, and competitive landscape.

• Denim & Woven Trend Research: Stay current on emerging denim fits, washes, fabrications, and contemporary casual woven silhouettes. Consider how vintage influences are being reinterpreted.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to address hypothetical design challenges, such as developing a new denim franchise, refreshing a structured woven category, or responding to a specific market trend. Focus on your process, rationale, and proposed solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a blend of creative evaluation, technical assessment, and strategic thinking, reflecting the operational demands of a senior design role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for creating technical flats, mood boards, presentations, and graphic design elements. Proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop is critical.

• 3D Design Software (Preferred): Familiarity with tools like CLO3D or Browzwear can be a significant advantage for visualizing designs, creating virtual samples, and reducing physical prototyping.

• PLM Systems (e.g., Tradestone): Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems for managing product data, BOMs, and tracking the development process is highly preferred.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Sales & Performance Dashboards: Ability to interpret and utilize internal reporting tools for analyzing weekly selling data, product rankings, and velocity metrics.

• Market Trend Analysis Tools: Familiarity with platforms or services that provide insights into fashion trends, competitor analysis, and consumer behavior.

CRM & Automation:

• PLM/BOM Systems: As mentioned, Tradestone or similar systems are crucial for managing product information and workflows.

• AI-enabled Creative Tools (Preferred): Exposure to or experience with AI tools for trend forecasting, design ideation, or material selection is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack highlights the integration of creative design tools with data analytics and product lifecycle management systems, reflecting the operational backbone of modern apparel design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Product Obsession: A deep passion for and commitment to creating exceptional, on-trend, and high-quality product that resonates with the Urban Outfitters customer.

• Customer Centricity: A constant focus on understanding and serving the UO customer's evolving needs, tastes, and cultural influences.

• Creative Innovation: Encouraging bold ideas, forward-thinking design, and a willingness to experiment with new silhouettes, washes, and fabrications.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across all departments (Buying, PD, Sourcing) to ensure seamless execution and shared success.

• Efficiency & Agility: Maintaining a dynamic and responsive approach to design and development, capable of adapting to market shifts and business opportunities quickly.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for design decisions, team performance, and project outcomes, driving projects to completion with a high degree of professionalism.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent dialogue among team members and with cross-functional partners to resolve issues and share insights effectively.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged to elevate product quality and team performance.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely and proactively with Buying, Product Development, and Sourcing to ensure alignment on vision, execution, and timelines.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting an environment where designers share trends, technical knowledge, and best practices to collectively elevate the team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of creative passion, commercial pragmatism, and collaborative execution, typical of successful teams in the fast-paced apparel retail sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Trend & Commercial Viability: The ongoing challenge of translating cutting-edge fashion and cultural trends into products that are both desirable to the target customer and commercially successful for the business.

• Driving Denim Innovation: Continuously evolving denim fits, washes, and constructions to keep the category fresh and appealing in a competitive market, while managing technical and cost constraints.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent vision and execution across multiple departments (design, buying, product development, sourcing) in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

• Team Development & Management: Effectively leading, mentoring, and motivating a team of designers to consistently deliver high-quality work and meet demanding deadlines.

• Sustainability Initiatives: Integrating sustainable practices and materials into product development processes, which can present technical and cost challenges.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design & Technical Skills: Opportunities to attend workshops or gain certifications in specialized areas like 3D design, sustainable materials, or advanced denim finishing techniques.

• Leadership & Management Training: Access to internal or external programs focused on developing strategic leadership, team management, and cross-functional communication skills.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend relevant trade shows, fashion weeks, or industry conferences to stay abreast of global trends and innovations.

• Mentorship: Guidance from senior leadership within URBN to navigate career progression and develop strategic insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to the apparel design industry, requiring a proactive and adaptable approach, while growth opportunities focus on deepening both creative and leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach translating a broad seasonal concept into a specific product vision for denim and structured wovens?" (Focus on your process, market research integration, and ability to define a clear roadmap.)

• "Describe a time you successfully innovated within denim fits, washes, or fabrications. What was the impact?" (Highlight your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and understanding of commercial outcomes.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with the Urban Outfitters customer while also pushing creative boundaries?" (Demonstrate your customer empathy and your ability to balance trend with brand identity and commercial viability.)

• "Walk us through your process for collaborating with Buying and Product Development teams to bring a collection to life." (Emphasize communication, problem-solving, and understanding of cross-functional dependencies.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What is your understanding of the BDG brand and its position within the Urban Outfitters portfolio?" (Showcase your brand research and how you connect with the target demographic.)

• "How would you foster a culture of creativity and accountability within your design team?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy, mentorship approach, and strategies for driving performance.)

• "What are your thoughts on the current state of denim and casual wovens in the market?" (Demonstrate your industry knowledge, trend awareness, and forward-thinking perspective.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling story for each project, from concept to completion, highlighting your role and the impact.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality images of your designs, technical flats, and any relevant mood boards or inspiration. Show, don't just tell.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data (e.g., sales performance, Velo metrics, customer feedback) to support the success of your designs.

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to discuss fabrications, construction details, wash processes, and fit considerations in depth.

• Brand Alignment: Clearly articulate how your design choices and aesthetic align with the Urban Outfitters brand and the BDG customer.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, technical acumen, leadership potential, and strategic understanding of the apparel retail business.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Urban Outfitters careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest work in denim, casual wovens, and structured product. Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to translate trends into commercially viable designs and highlight your technical expertise in washes, fits, and constructions.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 10+ years of relevant design experience, leadership roles, and specific achievements in the specified product categories. Use keywords such as "Denim Design," "Apparel Design," "Trend Forecasting," "Product Development," "Technical Design," and "Team Leadership."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, commercial acumen, and leadership style. Prepare to discuss specific projects in detail and to answer strategy-based questions related to market trends and brand alignment.

• Company Research: Deeply research Urban Outfitters, the BDG brand, and their target customer. Understand their current aesthetic, marketing strategies, and competitive positioning to demonstrate your cultural fit and strategic understanding during interviews.

⚠️ 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.

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