Michael Kors Director of Footwear Design Development

About Michael Kors

Michael Kors is an internationally recognized luxury fashion brand and lifestyle label, marketed globally across apparel, accessories and fragrances. As part of Capri Holdings, Michael Kors operates within a portfolio of premium fashion houses and emphasizes design-led product, elevated retail experiences and a fast-paced, customer-centric retail network.

Michael Kors is hiring a Director of Footwear Design Development to lead seasonal footwear design and development from concept through market-ready samples, coordinating Design with Product Development, Materials, Merchandising, Costing and international partners. The role requires 8+ years of footwear product development and/or material sourcing experience, including at least 3 years in leadership, and offers an annual compensation range of USD 100,000–190,000.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end footwear design process and timeline, with a focus on early-stage development of materials, components and line building, serving as the Design team's liaison to Merchandising, Raw Material, Product Development and Costing teams to deliver seasonal market-ready samples aligned with brand strategy, cost and adoption targets, and due dates.
• Optimize product-creation planning and organization to ensure market-ready samples.
• Set the footwear prototype strategy across all business tiers, from concept through sample handoff to Product Development, ensuring timelines, quality standards and cost targets are met.
• Coordinate Product Development, Materials and Design to implement cost-effective engineering and material optimization that meets internal margin requirements, brand DNA and Production quality standards.
• Help Design translate creative direction into executable, commercially viable products, particularly through material and component innovation.
• Work with Materials and overseas development partners to identify and develop components, trims and manufacturing solutions that support design intent and financial goals.
• Keep Design on the seasonal development calendar and streamline and oversee cross-functional meetings, representing Design and ensuring consistency across categories.
• Create, implement and maintain design processes that streamline seasonal development, align with business growth opportunities and budgets, and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain regular communication with internal stakeholders in New York and overseas to ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Translate internal design direction while monitoring industry and consumer purchasing trends; analyze product performance, sales feedback and market trends to inform future development.
• Partner with Raw Material and Product Development teams to resolve material and component costing issues with vendors and provide early prototype alternatives that meet market-sample margin targets without compromising quality or brand integrity.
• Attend trend shows and identify innovative materials to enhance the product assortment.
• Manage seasonal material development strategy with the Materials team, and create and organize an efficient material and color library and archive system.
• Research material and component innovation based on seasonal trends and business needs, following the company's supplier qualification and onboarding framework.
• Create and maintain the design library for standards, established logic, templates, carryover constructions and lasts.
• Manage and distribute clear Design status and handoff documents for cross-functional teams and factories.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of progressive product development and/or material sourcing experience in the footwear industry, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, costing and manufacturing processes.
• Experience working with international vendors and factories.
• Extensive experience in materials sourcing and product execution.
• Excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage design and product calendars simultaneously.
• Deep understanding of the luxury or contemporary fashion market, preferably with experience at a comparable footwear brand.
• Ability to think strategically, drive results and build a high-performance organization.
• Proven ability to work strategically and tactically in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, out-of-the-box thinker.
• Willingness to take on tasks of any size.

Skills

Experience

At least 8 years of progressive product development and/or material sourcing experience in the footwear industry, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 100,000 to USD 190,000 per annum.

Benefits

Generous paid time off and holiday calendar; Summer Fridays; internal mobility across brands; cross-brand discount; exclusive employee sales; Fav 5 discount cards for friends and family; 401(k) match; paid parental leave; Thrive Wellness Program; commuter benefits; gym discounts.

Culture

Michael Kors fosters a design-driven, service-oriented retail culture that blends creative energy with commercial discipline. Teams work in a fast-paced, international environment where collaboration, attention to detail and polished client service are highly valued.

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.