Director, Concept & Collaborations, Product Dev...

Job Title: Director of Design, Concept & Collaborations, Product Development and Design

 

About the Team

You will be a part of a collaborative team responsible for driving and managing our Design Collaborations, Licensing, and Concept creation from pre-concept/trend forecasting through to product approval, working together with Design, Merchants, and PR team members, as well as our external Collaboration & Licensing partners. As part of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a leader in home lifestyle and retail, our Product Development and Design team brings customer-centered, trend-forward products to life through seasonal collaboration, innovation, and cross-brand alignment.

 

Role Overview

Collaborations: As a Director of Product Development, you will be responsible for overseeing all Licensing & Collaboration relationships and design process, and gaining alignment on design approvals, from concept to launch, for each season for specific that reflect mood, market trends and business needs, while ensuring products meet both internal and external standards. You will lead design review meetings and work with the rest of the team to ensure all deadlines and key calendar dates are met. You will need to have strong leadership and organizational skills, as well as excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You will have the ability to lead and develop a team at different levels while maintaining cross-functional partnerships. 

Concept: You will be responsible for leading the Concept set-up process from mood creation to Final Concept presentations in conjunction with the SVP of Product Development, from setting up Trend forecasting meetings with partners, creating seasonal styleguides, leading Concept floorplan meetings, and final propping of concept spaces in partnership with Visual Team and Design Leaders.

 

This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Thursday, and remote option on Friday.

 

 

Responsibilities  

Seasonal Engagement

Own and lead Collaboration Alignment with senior leaders, and Design reviews with Partners

Attend business meetings and collaborate with SVP; react to the business results and lead changes that arise from these weekly meetings

Manage and present seasonal product presentations to cross-functional partners and senior management; including photoshoots and showrooms

Guide the team with color palettes and concept decks while owning and managing concept all the way through product approval

Measure productivity by analyzing reports and data to monitor the progress of product development and measure the success of launched products

People Management

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of various levels: from coordinators to managers

Provide direction, clarify objectives, assess performance, and provide regular feedback to individuals and overall team

Lead recruitment process and develop succession plans to prioritize organizational structure and align business needs

Product Development Strategy

Determine priorities and workload; recommend effective processes and procedures to improve workflow and results

Engage with SVP on in-season problem solving, escalating concerns, collaborate to ensure each season is prioritized and optimize for success

Have problem solving skills to identify existing product issues that may arise

Drives calendar to ensure all deadlines and key dates are met   

Has strong business acumen to develop and implement strategies for each season; understand brand and financial goals, execute business and seasonal needs

Gathers market data and recognize key fashion trends and analyze what competition is doing to bring new business opportunities or trends to the team 

Travel domestic and international to identify emerging themes and new inspirations

Team Collaboration

Oversee visual line lists shared with cross-functional teams to review status of development process

Has strong cross-functional partnership with external partners, visual team, PR, merchants, sourcing, engineering, and color team

Drives conceptual vision and has clear understanding of business needs when guiding Product Development team to design accordingly   

 

Criteria  

Design Experience

Must provide a portfolio or website of current and past experience

Minimum 8-10 years retail product design experience

Degree in Design or equivalent experience (Masters Degree in design a plus)

Experience designing; keeping materials and pricing in mind 

Experience in identifying and presenting trends and inspiration based on the given concept direction.  

Knowledge of constructions and technical design

Understanding and enthusiasm for the brands

Personal Leadership

Must have an aspirational taste-level with passion for interiors, home furnishings, color, designer aesthetic, and industry trends.   

Ability to people manage and develop in a fast-paced environment

Ability to prioritize, multi-task and adapt to change 

Extremely organized, efficient and detail-oriented – excellent calendar adherence and ownership

Excellent time management and communication skills

Excellent cross functional skills and partnership with merchandisers and product development team

Technical Proficiency

Must be technically versed in home 

Expert in Mac operating systems with skill excellence in Adobe Creator Suite, Illustrator, Canva, Photoshop, PowerPoint

 

Competencies

Understand brand aesthetic, a creative and inspirational thinker

Not only are you design minded, but also business minded

High aptitude and agility to organize communications

Proactive when making strategic decisions; owning the process

Understand calendar and deliverables, sense of urgency for deadlines 

Confidence in leading others and team through each season and process

 

Our Culture & Values  

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. Our associates are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, so they can be their best and achieve their personal and professional goals.   We make inclusivity a cornerstone of our culture by welcoming associates with diverse cultures and backgrounds and celebrating them, together.  We nurture an open, inclusive environment for all. Our differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored, and appreciated. Together, we’re creating a more just and inclusive company culture where the only criteria for advancement are:  

The quality of our work The contributions we make to our teams and the business Our ability to lead and connect  

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. Outside of WSI, we recognize the importance of playing a part in our communities through partnerships, collaborations, and commitments to a more just and inclusive world. 

 

People First  

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:  

Benefits 

A generous discount on all WSI brands A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits Tax-free commuter benefits A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health  

 

Continued Learning 

In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities  Resources for self-development Advisor (Mentor) program Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series      

 

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration). 

 

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance. 

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances. 

 

The expected starting pay range for this position is $175,000-$185,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.   

 

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