Michael Kors Lead Retoucher & AI Imaging Specialist
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Lead
- Compensation
- $100,000–120,000/year
- Department
- E-Commerce, Digital & Data Analytics
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Sep 24, 2026
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 seeks a Lead Retoucher & AI Imaging Specialist in the NY Metro Area to direct ecommerce visual content and innovation. Full-time, $100k–$120k USD annually.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead all retouching execution for ecommerce photography across still-life and on-figure imagery, maintaining brand standards at scale
- Guide and mentor a team of two ecommerce retouchers through complex edits, edge cases, and tight production timelines, providing hands-on expertise when required
- Ensure consistent color accuracy and product integrity across all imagery through targeted quality reviews
- Create, test, and refine prompts for AI-generated and AI-assisted imagery; evaluate outputs for realism, brand alignment, and production readiness
- Stay current on emerging AI imaging tools and apply them thoughtfully to production workflows; help determine which content types are best suited for AI generation versus traditional photography
- Partner with the Associate Director to evaluate, onboard, and support offshore retouching partners; review external output and provide clear corrective guidance
- Collaborate with photographers, art directors, and content operations teams to contribute to scalable workflows that balance automation, offshore production, and internal editing
- Document and communicate evolving best practices, tools, and standards as workflows and technology continue to advance
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in photography, digital media, visual arts, or a related field
- 6 or more years of professional retouching experience in ecommerce or high-volume commercial environments
- Advanced expertise in Adobe Photoshop and modern retouching workflows
- Hands-on experience with AI-generated or AI-assisted imaging, including prompt development
- Experience with DAM (Digital Asset Management) tools such as Bynder or equivalent platforms
- Proven experience reviewing and coordinating work with offshore or external partners
- Strong communication skills and demonstrable collaborative mindset
- High attention to detail and proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
- Fashion or luxury retail experience preferred
Skills
Experience
6+ years of professional retouching experience in ecommerce or high-volume commercial environments, with demonstrated expertise in leading creative teams and managing vendor relationships.
Education
Bachelor's degree in photography, digital media, visual arts, or a related field.
Workplace
The role is situated in New York, New York, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 100,000 to USD 120,000 per annum.
Benefits
Generous paid time off and holiday calendar, summer Fridays, internal mobility across brands, cross-brand discount, exclusive employee sales, Fav 5 cards (MK discount 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.
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 Michael Kors, 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 «Senior Imaging Technologist», «Digital Content Lead - Retouching», «Visual Imaging Director», «eCommerce Imaging Lead», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.