VP of Design

We are hiring a VP of Design & Product Development based in Toronto to lead the product vision at a premium Canadian outdoor lifestyle brand with a cult following.

Their customers travel, walk, sail, explore and get caught in the weather, and they expect their clothing to keep up. The collections blend natural fibres with performance fabrics, with every piece designed to work hard, pack well and move effortlessly between the city and the trail. Function leads, and style follows without compromise.

What You Will Do

You will lead the creative vision from concept to campaign, setting the seasonal direction and telling a compelling story through every collection, fusing trend inspiration with a refined taste level to create functional clothing with purpose, building complete outdoor lifestyle wardrobes alongside sharp commercial capsules that resonate with the customer and perform commercially. As part of the senior leadership team, you will partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Ecommerce and Wholesale, and your decisions will shape collections sold through the brand's own channels and retail partners across Canada, the US, the UK and Europe.

The ideal candidate will be a Head of Design, Design Director or VP of Design with experience leading and mentoring a team in the design and development of premium lifestyle and outdoor apparel, working cross-functionally with Sourcing & Production to deliver product that performs in real conditions. The team here is small, and the role will ideally suit someone from a brand-based background.

What You Will Lead

Product Vision & Design Direction

• Define the long-term product vision and seasonal design direction for apparel and accessories.
• Build a coherent outdoor lifestyle collection where clothing and accessories work together as one wardrobe.
• Set colour, fabric, silhouette and detail direction for each season, grounded in how customers travel and spend time outdoors.
• Protect the signature products while introducing new styles, fabrics and categories.
• Read global outdoor, travel, fashion and lifestyle trends and apply only what is right for the brand and its customer, leading with an elevated and refined approach.
• Use customer insight, wear testing and sales data to guide design decisions.

Product Development & Fabric Innovation

• Lead a small design and product development team from concept and tech pack through fit, sampling and final approval.
• Drive fabric and trim innovation across natural fibres and performance fabrics, including sun protective, water repellent, breathable and packable constructions.
• Set and uphold standards for fit, construction, durability and quality, so every product earns long-term customer trust.
• Work with mills, trim suppliers and manufacturing partners in Canada and overseas to deliver on time, on cost and to specification.
• Own the critical path and development calendar, keeping every season on schedule.
• Advance responsible material choices, repairability and product longevity as core design principles.

Commercial & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Merchandising to build a balanced range architecture with clear price points and margin targets.
• Own the design and development budget and manage costings alongside Sourcing.
• Work with Marketing to make sure product stories are clear, credible and ready for campaign.
• Present seasonal strategy and collections to executive leadership.
• Lead collaborations and limited editions that bring new customers to the brand.

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach and develop a small design and product development team.
• Set clear briefs, give direct feedback and create room for people to do their best work.
• Strengthen process, tools and ways of working across design, technical and development functions as your role evolves.
• Hire well and build succession within the team.

What You Will Bring

• 10+ years of experience in apparel design specifically at VP Design, Head of Design, Design Director or Creative Director level.
• A background including premium outdoor and lifestyle apparel, with experience across Menswear, womenswear, or both.
• Deep knowledge of technical and performance fabrics and natural fibres.
• Strong technical understanding of fit, construction and quality standards.
• Experience working with international mills and manufacturing partners.
• Commercial fluency: range planning, costing, margin management and budget ownership.
• Experience designing for both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels.
• A commitment to sustainable materials and product built to last.
• Confident presenting to executive leadership.
• A track record of building, leading and developing high-performing design and product teams.
• A degree in Fashion Design, specialising in apparel.
• Passionate about the outdoors and equally connected to the trends that drive compelling fashion.

What's On Offer

• A competitive salary in line with experience.
• A comprehensive benefits package.
• Hybrid working based in Toronto.
• Full ownership of design and product development, with a seat on the senior leadership team.
• The chance to evolve an apparel collection for a brand customers already trust.
• A business with international reach and clear ambition for growth.

Additional Requirements

Currently living and working in the US or Canada or willing to relocate to Toronto.