Michael Kors Senior Licensing Designer

Overview

Michael Kors is a global luxury lifestyle brand known for accessible American sportswear and a strong accessories offering. The label operates within Capri Holdings, a multinational fashion group, and maintains a fast-paced, design-driven environment focused on global product innovation across ready-to-wear and accessories.

Role & Responsibilities

• Own and steer the creative direction for Michael Kors licensed accessory products from concept through final approval across watches, jewelry, eyewear, belts and kids’ accessories.
• Translate seasonal brand aesthetic, color palettes and print assortments into licensed product assortments; maintain category-specific print, design and product libraries.
• Conduct global market research to identify emerging trends, materials and techniques to inform product innovation and category differentiation.
• Serve as the in-house category expert on trends and competitive landscape; lead seasonal trend presentations and contribute to seasonal themes, line edits and new product concepts.
• Manage the licensed product design workflow including market research, mood-board creation, product reviews, and ongoing communication with licensees.
• Act as primary liaison to licensee design teams, providing seasonal brand direction, day-to-day design guidance and ensuring alignment with brand standards.
• Coordinate with internal design teams (handbags, footwear, RTW) to align seasonal concepts and prototypes across categories.
• Maintain and adhere to design and development calendars with internal and external partners; prepare for and follow up on all design meetings.
• Provide timely feedback and approvals on licensee-submitted designs and product samples to ensure on-time development.
• Ensure licensed products meet brand standards for quality, design integrity and correct product identification (hardware, labels, logos, trims).
• Partner with the Global Licensing team on seasonal development calendars, line extensions, process improvements and potential new business opportunities.
• Lead seasonal hindsight reviews with stakeholders to capture learnings and inform future product strategy.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of design experience within aspirational luxury or luxury goods.
• Demonstrated expertise in accessories categories, including hardware, color, print and graphic design.
• Strong construction knowledge across multiple accessory categories.
• Licensing experience preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational and multitasking skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art or a related field.

Skills

Experience

6–8 years of progressive product design experience in aspirational luxury or luxury goods, with demonstrated work across multiple accessory categories; licensing experience is preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, or a related field.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 105,000 to USD 170,000 per annum.

Culture

Michael Kors cultivates a creative, fast-paced workplace with an emphasis on design excellence and commercial sensibility. The organization values collaboration across global design and licensing teams and promotes inclusivity and diversity in recruitment and day-to-day operations.

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.