Designer lead

We are seeking a Lead Designer for Womenswear who brings refined design sensibility, strong merchandising awareness, and a modern, commercial approach to building product. Based in Vancouver, this role requires someone who can balance creativity with clarity, build a cohesive design vision, and confidently shape silhouette evolution, seasonal direction, and monthly drop strategy.
The Lead Designer will oversee the womenswear design function, managing a team of three designers and two womenswear product developers, collaborating closely with menswear, buying, sourcing and production, and senior leadership. Technical design reports into the Design function; Buying and Sourcing report into the Office of the President. This is a modern lifestyle apparel brand known for its elevated essentials, technical innovation, and thoughtful design philosophy. The brand blends comfort, quality, and contemporary style, creating wardrobe solutions for customers who value practicality as much as aesthetics.
With a focus on refined silhouettes, purposeful fabrications, innovative knits, and intelligent details, the brand continues to evolve its womenswear offering with a commitment to modern utility, polish, and ease. The business retains a founder-led sensibility of innovation, quality, and design-led thinking.

Creative Direction & Seasonal Planning
Lead the womenswear creative vision and seasonal direction, managing 2 designers and 2 product developers.
Develop seasonal themes, colour palettes, fabric direction, and silhouette evolution for each drop.
Identify emerging trends from Europe and global markets and adapt them intelligently for the North American customer.
Build cohesive concepts that support outfit-building and an elevated, understated aesthetic.
Balance newness with functional ease, technical performance, and commercial focus.
Product Design & Development
Lead multi-category womenswear design with strong consideration for proportion, fit, construction, and lifestyle use.
Partner with Buying (reporting to the Office of the President) to build commercially sound, customer-focused assortments.
Oversee fabric direction and work with international mills and vendor partners.
Direct fit sessions, sampling, and development alongside the technical design team.
Work closely with Buying, Sourcing, Technical Design, Product Development, and Production teams.
Communicate design intent clearly through sketches, tech packs, mood boards, and seasonal briefs.
Support business objectives through informed product decision-making and design leadership.
Mentor and guide the womenswear design team with clarity, structure, and creative leadership.
Provide seasonal briefings, constructive feedback, and ongoing skill development.
10+ years of experience in womenswear design for vertical retail or lifestyle apparel brands.

• Elevated fashion eye with expertise in silhouette development and fabric direction.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, and technical development.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing design teams in a fast-moving environment.

A competitive salary aligned with experience.
Relocation assistance will be provided where required.
Hybrid working based in Vancouver, four days in the office and one day from home.
The opportunity to lead and shape multi-product womenswear within a modern and forward-thinking apparel brand.

&##Please submit your CV, a short cover note outlining three of your proudest commercial achievements and your PDF portfolio and/or website link.