Chanel Senior Design Manager
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Jun 9, 2026
About Chanel
Chanel is one of the world’s most revered luxury houses, founded by Gabrielle Chanel and distinguished by an enduring vision of elegance, freedom, and modernity. As an employer, the House brings together métiers ranging from haute couture, fashion and leather goods to fragrance, beauty, watches, and fine jewelry, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship and creative audacity. Chanel values excellence, discretion, collaboration, and long-term development, fostering an environment where talent is nurtured and heritage is continually reinterpreted for contemporary clients. Its teams are united by a commitment to quality, innovation, and the timeless spirit of the brand.
Senior Design Manager at Chanel in Toronto. Lead creative strategy and design execution for luxury fashion collections.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of designers and creative professionals to deliver cohesive collections aligned with Chanel's design philosophy
- Develop and execute design strategies that balance heritage, innovation, and commercial objectives
- Oversee all aspects of design development from concept through production, ensuring quality and consistency
- Collaborate cross-functionally with merchandising, product development, and marketing to bring designs to market
- Establish and maintain design standards, brand guidelines, and aesthetic direction across assigned categories
- Participate in trend forecasting, color research, and material innovation initiatives
Qualifications
- Proven experience in luxury fashion or premium goods design with a strong portfolio demonstrating design excellence
- Leadership experience managing creative teams in a fast-paced, competitive environment
- Deep knowledge of Chanel's aesthetic heritage, brand values, and design language preferred
- Understanding of production processes, material sourcing, and supply chain implications of design decisions
- Track record of delivering commercially successful collections that resonate with discerning consumers
- Fluency in design software and digital tools relevant to the role
Skills
Experience
Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in luxury fashion design, with at least 3–5 years in a senior design or creative leadership role. Demonstrated success leading design teams and delivering collections for a prestigious luxury brand.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Fine Arts, or equivalent professional qualification. Advanced training or certifications in luxury brand management or design leadership are advantageous.
Workplace
The role is situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Culture
Chanel fosters a culture of timeless creativity, exacting craftsmanship, and quiet excellence, where employees are encouraged to uphold the house’s heritage while contributing to its continued innovation. The workplace environment is refined, collaborative, and deeply committed to quality, offering professionals the opportunity to grow within a globally respected maison that values discretion, artistry, and long-term vision.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Chanel, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Creative Director», «Design Leadership Manager», «Head of Design», «Senior Creative Manager», «Design Strategy Director», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.