Michael Kors Assistant Footwear Designer

Overview

Michael Kors is a globally recognised American luxury lifestyle brand specialising in ready-to-wear, accessories, footwear and handbags. As part of Capri Holdings, the brand operates alongside other global luxury labels within a multi-brand group, offering cross-brand mobility and a design-led, commercial approach to product development.

Role & Responsibilities

• Support the Design Director, Senior Designer and Technical Designer across the full product development cycle for Outlet/Cutup women’s footwear.
• Research and analyse seasonal fashion trends, runway materials and competitive commercial market insights to inform design direction.
• Produce shoe sketches, CADs and technical specifications aligned to concept direction for off-price channels.
• Present design concepts and sketches to internal stakeholders and incorporate feedback.
• Assist with material, color selection and detailing; prepare proto presentation boards and layer-up treatment specs.
• Support fit corrections and the development of prototypes through to pre-production refined samples.
• Participate in costing, CAD and sketch reviews, market meetings and cross-functional cadence; take and distribute meeting notes.
• Communicate daily developments with factories and liaise with product development, merchandising and materials teams to ensure cost-effective execution.
• Create and maintain legal decks, organise design archives, material library and footwear proto samples.
• Provide administrative support for design meetings, including tracking proto shipments and preparing presentation materials.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years design experience within the women’s footwear industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in footwear design or a related field preferred.
• Strong hand-sketching skills; proficiency producing CADs and technical specs.
• Experience creating footwear specifications and basic knowledge of footwear construction and materials (synthetic and fabric types preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise multiple deadlines, meet milestones and manage time effectively.
• Self-motivated, proactive, highly organised and collaborative team player.
• Working knowledge of PLM preferred; graphic manipulation experience preferred but not required.

Skills

Experience

At least 2 years of design experience in women’s footwear, with hands-on involvement in sketching, spec creation and prototype development through pre-production.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in footwear design or related field preferred.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 65,000 to USD 70,000 per annum.

Benefits

Generous paid time off & holiday calendar; Summer Fridays; Internal mobility across brands; Cross-brand discount; Exclusive employee sales; Fav 5 cards (employee friend & family discount); 401(k) match; Paid parental leave; Thrive wellness program; Commuter benefits; Gym discounts

Culture

Michael Kors offers a creative, fast-paced environment rooted in commercial design and global distribution, with opportunities to collaborate across Capri Holdings’ portfolio. The workplace emphasises inclusivity, internal mobility and cross-functional teamwork, supporting employees through design-driven, market-focused projects.

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.