Job Description

Design Director Of Sportswear Lifestyle

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

The Design Director of Sportswear Lifestyle at New Balance will be a key creative leader responsible for shaping the design vision and DNA for our sportswear apparel. This role will focus on elevating New Balance's presence in sport-inspired lifestyle apparel for men and women by blending innovation, authenticity, and cultural relevance.

By leading the creative development of collections across our sport-inspired lifestyle categoriesincluding Men's, Women's, Bodywear, Essentials, and Tier 4 productsthis role will establish the foundation for a distinctive and cohesive lifestyle aesthetic.

This role will be instrumental in defining New Balance's future in sport and lifestyle apparel, blending innovation with cultural resonance to elevate our brand presence globally. The Design Director will set the tone for the next generation of lifestyle apparel, driving growth and brand influence through cutting-edge design and strategic partnerships.

Major Responsibilities:

• Define and implement a clear design vision for sportswear lifestyle apparel, ensuring it reflects New Balance's brand identity while meeting the evolving expectations of our consumers.
• In collaboration with the Senior Design Director, develop and refine the Lifestyle Design DNAestablishing a cohesive aesthetic across all lifestyle products and aligning closely with Performance and Graphics teams to ensure consistency across product ranges.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner closely with Merchandising, Development, and Marketing to ensure cohesive storytelling and commercial alignment.
• Work alongside Materials teams to integrate leading market trends.
• Engage with Product teams to refine fit, function, and execution details, ensuring products meet the highest standards of quality and comfort.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and inspire a team of designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Provide mentorship, creative direction, and career development opportunities to enhance team capabilities.
• Drive a consumer-first mindset within the design team, ensuring all collections resonate with target audiences.

Innovation & Trend Awareness:

• Stay at the forefront of industry trends and cultural shifts in sports and fashion.
• Identify and integrate new materials, sustainability initiatives, and performance innovations that elevate New Balance's design credibility.

Requirements for Success:

• 10+ years of experience in apparel design, with a strong background in sportswear and lifestyle-product across men's and women's.
• Proven ability to build and execute a compelling design vision that balances brand understanding, aesthetics, and commercial viability.
• Deep understanding of materials, construction techniques, and apparel trends.
• Creative & Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop a clear, impactful design strategy that drives brand differentiation.
• Collaboration & Influence: Proven track record of working cross-functionally with Merchandising, Development, and Marketing to bring designs to market successfully.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading design teams, fostering talent development, and building a high-performing creative culture.

Regular Associate Benefits:

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword it's part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule:

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced "Work from Anywhere" (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates and takes affirmative action to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran.

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