Senior Director, Design - Layette, Newborn and Infant

Centric Brands is a leading lifestyle brand collective that designs, sources, markets and sells high quality products in multiple segments, including women’s, men’s and kid’s apparel, accessories, entertainment and beauty. Centric Brands is focused on our customers and our brands that will drive the company’s future growth. We are defined by innovation as we seize new opportunities and thrive in an environment informed by creativity and thinking that is both analytical and outside the box. Centric Brands reflects a team built on respect, for others and for the hard work it takes to achieve our goals and build our bright future together.

Designer

What could be more exciting than putting your mark on some of the world’s most famous and well-loved fashion brands? As a designer for Centric Brands, you’ll use your skills and creativity to create designs based on style plans, sales needs and emerging trends. You will also ensure that your work can be transformed into a finished product in a timely manner and at an appropriate price point. This means working not only with our technical design and production teams, but also building collaborative relationships with outside vendors and other external stakeholders. The challenges are exciting and the possibilities endless – as you contribute your skills in a vibrant, customer- and people-centric culture that celebrates you as a valuable member of the team.

The Senior Director of Design is a creative leader responsible for shaping a distinctive, fashion-forward design vision for Layette, Newborn, and Infant Boys & Girls. This role defines the aesthetic direction of the brand, translating trend, culture, and inspiration into elevated, modern assortments that resonate with today’s parents while remaining appropriate for infant wear. They lead aspects of creative development—from concept through execution—ensuring collections are innovative, cohesive, and emotionally compelling, while meeting standards of quality, comfort, and safety. They will work with premium brands like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Juicy Couture and more.

Roles & Responsibilities

Creative Vision & Brand Direction

• Own and articulate a clear, seasonal design vision for layette, newborn, and infant boys/girls that reflects brand DNA and fashion relevance

• Translate macro and micro trends in color, print, silhouette, and fabrication into modern, elevated infant assortments

• Establish signature design codes and aesthetic pillars that differentiate the brand in the marketplace

• Oversee development of inspirational concept boards, color stories, fabric narratives, prints, graphics, and trims

• Ensure a cohesive aesthetic across categories while allowing for thoughtful distinction by age, gender, and lifestyle

Fashion-Driven Assortment Development

• Guide development of assortments that balance fashion statements with wearable, functional infant design

• Champion new silhouettes, print directions, fabrications, and details appropriate for layette and infant categories

• Curate style counts, color palettes, and print placements to create visually compelling lines with clear storytelling

• Edit assortments with a strong design eye to maintain clarity, impact, and consistency

• Elevate basics and core items through refined details, color, and fabrication

Design Execution & Product Integrity

• Oversee the design and development process from sketch through production, ensuring creative intent is preserved

• Review and approve Illustrator sketches, specification sheets, lab dips, strike-offs, prints, and graphics

• Direct the fit and development process with sensitivity to infant proportions, comfort, and movement

• Ensure all materials and constructions meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards without compromising design integrity

• Partner with production and technical teams to resolve challenges while protecting aesthetic vision

Market & Creative Influence

• Maintain awareness of global fashion, lifestyle, and cultural trends relevant to infant and children’s wear

• Shop domestic and international markets for inspiration and competitive insight

• Attend trade shows and industry events to source new ideas, fabrics, and techniques

• Collaborate with merchandising, sales, and brand teams to align creative vision with market positioning

• Present seasonal concepts and collections to senior leadership, buyers, and key partners with strong visual storytelling

Leadership & Creative Culture

• Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of designers across layette, newborn, and infant categories

• Foster a culture of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration

• Encourage innovation while maintaining discipline and consistency

• Attract, develop, and retain top creative talent; build strong succession plans

• Provide clear creative direction, feedback, and professional development

• Superior organizational skills and excellent communication skills; team oriented

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or related field

• 10+ years of apparel design experience with significant expertise in layette, newborn, or infant categories

• Strong fashion point of view with the ability to translate trends into age-appropriate infant design

• Deep understanding of infant construction, fit, fabrication, and safety requirements

• Exceptional sketching, concept development, and aesthetic judgment

• Strong communication and presentation skills

• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, CAD systems, Microsoft Office, and Mac platforms

In return, we provide an industry-competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits plan (medical, dental, vision) that includes a matching 401(k), Summer Fridays, generous PTO, merchandise discounts, excellent career development opportunities, and a work environment that reflects our industry leadership. Our social impact program, Centric Cares, focuses on volunteerism to make a difference in communities we live and work in and our D&I committee is shaping the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Centric Brands though workshops, resources and inspiring conversation.

Salary Range: $185,000-200,000

At Centric Brands, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and we seek to structure competitive compensation offers to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best talent. Our job postings include an annual base salary range at the time of employment. The stated base salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on several factors, including the selected candidate's educational and professional experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the selection process. Base salary is a part of a total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, annual bonus and other Centric Brands sponsored benefit programs.

Be part of our growing community by getting involved with groups, teams and initiatives like Be Green, Be Giving, and Be Celebrated.

Centric Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please note that Centric Brands will only reach out to interview, make an offer of employment or conduct onboarding activities for candidates who have applied through our careers site. When interviewing for a position, the candidate experience will include live interaction, such as a video conference or telephone call, with a Recruiter and/or company employee(s). We will never ask for any money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process. Be aware of suspicious recruitment activity. If you think you are a victim of an employment scam, you may contact your local law enforcement agency and/or visit the Federal Trade Commission website here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams.

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