Apparel Creative Director

Job Summary

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Creative Director leads the global creative direction of assigned product territory to produce high profile, industry leading, technical and innovative product with a succinct TNF DNA.  This position manages creative and develops strategies that will produce work that delivers both an emotional connection with our consumer and business results.  The Creative Director is a strategic thinker with the ability to develop creative and innovative solutions for assigned territory.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be the brand's design philosophy champion and custodian for assigned product territory and effectively communicate the consistent territory message within the North Face brand and external clients.
• Manage and foster creativity within the entire design team through inspiration methodologies and other L&D tools creative tools to ensure that the company creates and develops products that meet the needs of our consumers.  
• Lead and drive global long term and seasonal creative direction and product concepts for assigned territory.
• Establish, maintain and nurture the territory and brand narrative - to achieve the key goals of being “innovative, technical and authentic”. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other groups to develop a compelling product consumer experience on a seasonal and annual basis. 
• Partner with the Brand team to translate marketing strategies into a clear messages across all consumer touchpoints including retail, marketing, web, events, PR, entertainment and corporate communications.
• Drive and assist in the creation and art direction of global visual design packages that communicate the seasonal direction. Contents to include visual and graphic language, storytelling guidelines, label and packaging for the territory and in cooperation with the Brand Design direction.
• In collaboration with Territory Business Directors and Territory Brand managers, help develop synergies, merchandising opportunities and branding concepts across footwear, apparel and accessories.   
• Collaborate with the design director for assigned product territory and working closely with the color and trend resources to ensure the seasonal color trends and consumer needs are met. 

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

• BA or BS degree in Marketing, Business, Merchandising or related field and 8+ years minimum relevant and progressive experience
• Outdoor Industry experience is a plus.
• International/interregional experience preferred.
• Profound product design and creation knowledge, credible expertise.
• Global thinker - can establish and drive end-to-end design strategy and initiatives.
• Inspirational and visionary thinker with proven track record to continually excite consumers, to sell a vision, to drive innovation.
• Strong presentation, planning and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong influence skills ability to work in a matrix environment.
• Extensive knowledge of market and trend analysis.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (10%).
• Demonstrated international/interregional scope and experience
• Strong time management and creative resource management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and multi-task effectively under pressure.
• Strong understanding of Outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear product lines.