Senior Director of Design -Kids
SKIMS
$180,000 - $200,000 / year
Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.
JobMinglr uses automated technology to recommend jobs based on profile information and job preferences. Match Score does not determine eligibility for a position, prevent a user from viewing or applying to a job, or make hiring decisions on behalf of an employer.
Description
SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, shapewear, and essentials. We are setting new standards by delivering technically innovative, comfort-driven products with elevated design for everybody.
Position Summary
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the creative vision and seasonal design strategy for the SKIMS Kids business.
- Lead the design and development of innovative collections across multiple product categories including underwear, basics, loungewear, sleepwear, activewear, outerwear, and seasonal capsules.
- Establish a cohesive product architecture that supports both core essentials and trend-driven innovation.
- Drive category growth by identifying white-space opportunities, emerging consumer trends, and evolving market needs.
- Ensure every product delivers exceptional comfort, fit, functionality, durability, and premium quality while remaining true to the SKIMS brand aesthetic.
- Lead seasonal concept development, color direction, fabric innovation, print strategy, trims, graphics, and silhouette evolution.
- Partner closely with Product Development and Technical Design to ensure designs translate successfully into production while maintaining design integrity.
- Collaborate with Merchandising and Planning to develop balanced assortments that achieve financial and commercial objectives.
- Partner with Marketing and Creative teams to ensure product storytelling is aligned across campaigns, launches, and seasonal collections.
- Build strong relationships with global mills, fabric suppliers, and manufacturing partners to identify new materials and innovations.
- Drive sustainable design initiatives through material innovation, responsible sourcing, and thoughtful product lifecycle considerations.
- Lead fittings and product reviews, ensuring best-in-class fit, comfort, safety, and quality standards across all age ranges.
- Mentor, develop, and inspire a high-performing design organization while fostering creativity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous growth.
- Build scalable design processes that support rapid business growth while maintaining exceptional creative standards.
- Stay informed on competitive trends, consumer insights, licensing opportunities, and emerging technologies within children's apparel.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile Design, or a related field.
- 12+ years of progressive apparel design experience with significant leadership experience in children's apparel.
- Proven success building and leading design teams within high-growth global consumer brands.
- Deep expertise across children's apparel, including fit, construction, safety standards, fabric performance, and age-specific design considerations.
- Strong understanding of garment construction, pattern development, technical design, and product lifecycle management.
- Demonstrated experience launching new product categories and scaling successful businesses.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance creativity, customer needs, and financial performance.
- Experience collaborating with international sourcing offices and manufacturing partners.
- Excellent understanding of trend forecasting, consumer behavior, and global marketplace dynamics.
- Strong presentation, communication, and executive influencing skills.
- Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and digital product development tools.
- Experience working within PLM systems and digital design workflows.
- Visionary creative leader with exceptional taste and strong commercial instincts.
- Naturally curious with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Highly collaborative and skilled at building strong cross-functional partnerships.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and highly ambiguous environment.
- Hands-on leader who enjoys moving seamlessly between strategy and execution.
- Strong mentor who develops high-performing, engaged teams.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Resilient, adaptable, and energized by rapid growth and evolving business needs.
- Passionate about creating products that improve everyday comfort and redefine expectations for modern apparel.
Benefits
- Up to 100% Company Paid Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
- Kind Body Fertility Benefits
- 401(k) savings plan with up to 4% match
- Unlimited PTO
- Full Access to LinkedIn learning
- Employee Discounts
- Free weekly catered lunch at HQ – M/T/W/Th
- Dog-Friendly office on a Thursday and Friday
- Free Swag Giveaways
- Annual Holiday Party
- Annual Summer Party
- Invitations to pop-ups and other company events
- Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages
Benefits
- Benefits and Culture Up to 100% Company Paid Healthcare (medical, dental, vision) Kind Body Fertility Benefits 401(k) savings plan with up to 4% match Unlimited PTO Full Access to LinkedIn learning Employee Discounts Perks (HQ Location) Free weekly catered lunch at HQ – M/T/W/Th Dog-Friendly office on a Thursday and Friday Free Swag Giveaways Annual Holiday Party Annual Summer Party Invitations to pop-ups and other company events Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages
About this role
SKIMS is building out its kids' apparel business and seeking a design leader to shape its creative direction from the ground up. As Senior Director of Design for Kids, you'd own the end-to-end design strategy across multiple categories—underwear, basics, loungewear, sleepwear, activewear, outerwear, and seasonal collections—translating SKIMS' comfort-driven, technically innovative brand ethos into products for every stage of childhood. This is a hands-on role that demands both visionary thinking and deep involvement in execution, from seasonal concept development and fabric innovation through fittings and quality reviews.
The position requires 12+ years of progressive apparel design experience with substantial leadership in children's wear, plus demonstrated success building and scaling design teams at high-growth global brands. You'll need strong technical expertise in kids' construction, fit, safety standards, and age-specific design considerations, along with commercial acumen to balance creativity with financial performance. The role involves close partnership across Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Marketing, and Production, as well as relationship-building with global mills and manufacturing partners to drive material innovation and sustainable design.
Based in Los Angeles and full-time in-office, this role offers a salary of $180,000–$200,000 and comprehensive benefits including up to 100% company-paid healthcare, fertility benefits, and a 401(k) plan. You'd be joining a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where the ability to mentor teams, operate comfortably with ambiguity, and move fluidly between strategy and hands-on product work are essential.
This role's local market on JobMinglr
Pay for this role
$180,000 to $200,000 per year
That is the employer's posted range, and where you land in it is usually decided in one conversation. Before that conversation, run the numbers: analyze an offer for this role.
Before you apply, worth reading
How JobMinglr reads this job
Every listing here is scored against your profile before you apply: skills overlap, experience level, location and work arrangement, each weighted and explained. You see the score and the reasons, not just a list. How the matching works.