Design Director, Sweaters - 525 America

NYC Alliance seeks a highly skilled Design Director with extensive experience in Sweaters to lead our 525 America brand. This role will oversee the creative development of knitwear collections, driving innovation in yarns, stitches, and silhouettes while ensuring alignment with brand identity and customer needs. The ideal candidate combines strong technical knit expertise with a sharp fashion perspective and a deep understanding of the contemporary market.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and drive the creative vision and seasonal direction for the Women’s Sweaters category
• Design and develop trend-driven knitwear, with a focus on yarn development, stitch innovation, and silhouette evolution
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of designers, promoting creativity, collaboration, and high-quality execution
• Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, and Marketing teams to deliver cohesive assortments that meet brand and business goals
• Research and interpret market trends, yarn technologies, and knit techniques to inform design direction
• Oversee the creation of detailed tech packs, including knit specifications, gauge, stitch construction, and yarn details
• Participate in fittings, providing guidance on fit, proportion, and knit construction to ensure optimal garment performance
• Collaborate closely with mills and vendors to develop exclusive yarns and innovative knit structures
• Manage timelines and workflow to support on-time development and production Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field
• 8+ years of design experience, with a strong focus on sweaters/knitwear
• Proven experience leading and developing design teams
• Strong expertise in knit construction, yarn development, and sweater engineering
• Ability to translate brand vision into commercially successful knitwear collections
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office
• Excellent understanding of garment fit, construction, and manufacturing processes specific to knitwear
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Benefits Competitive compensation packages Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA Retirement Savings Plan Match Summer Fridays Discounts and More! Annual Salary $175,000 The offered salary for this position will vary based on role requirements determined by NYC Alliance, skill set and years of experience.