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Vice President, Creative
VFC
Alameda, CA, United States
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POSITION SUMMARY
Lead the global creative direction of The North Face’ global product creation to produce high profile, industry leading, technical and innovative product with a succinct TNF DNA. Manages creative and design, developing strategies that will produce work that delivers both an emotional connection with our consumer and business results. Brings a track record in managing successful creative and design teams and provides dynamic, visible and inspirational leadership to positively impact business plans. A strategic leader with the ability to conceive and create innovative thinking and ideas.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Be the brand's design philosophy champion and custodian.
• Lead global long term and seasonal product creative and design direction which includes the 'conceptual approach': building creative concepts which lead to merchandising solutions to consumer needs. Establish, maintain and nurture the design direction - to achieve the key goals of being “innovative, technical and authentic”. Work with the design directors to align across all categories.
• Partner with the global Product VP and Territory GM’s on setting conceptual strategies, while directing Brand Design teams to ensure a holistic brand-creative/design approach.
• Partner with Merchandising teams to develop compelling product stories and collaborations on a seasonal and annual basis.
• Work closely with Marketing to establish and drive key strategies, concepts and projects. Partners with Marketing to translate marketing strategies into clear messages across all communication points including retail, advertising, web, events, PR, entertainment and corporate communications.
• Provide creative and design teams with direction, assets and guidelines for cutting the brand strength into global, regional and local product executions. This includes seasonal storytelling, color, material and graphic direction. Manage creative workflow and resources and set process & protocol. Set clear objectives, monitor progress, offer help and critique for design and design teams. Creates a collaborative culture of openness and inclusiveness which fosters innovation.
• Drive and assist in the creation of global art packages for global inspiration and direction. Contents to include label and package direction, visual and graphic language for each Activity Business silo and in cooperation with Brand Design.
• In collaboration with Activity Business Directors and Activity Brand managers, help develop synergies, merchandising opportunities and marketing concepts across footwear, apparel and accessories.
• Guide color direction working with the design directors and working closely with the color and trend resources to ensure the seasonal color trends and needs are met.
• Manage and foster creativity within the design and graphics team through inspiration methodologies and other L&D tools to ensure that the company creates and develops products that meet the needs of our consumers.
SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS
• 15+ years minimum relevant and progressive experience and 8+ years in management including leading a team.
• BA or BS degree in Marketing, Business, Merchandising or related field.
• MBA preferred.
• Outdoor Industry experience is a plus.
• International/interregional experience preferred.
• Profound product design and creation knowledge, credible expertise.
• Global thinker - can establish and drive end-to-end design strategy and initiatives.
• Inspirational and visionary leader with proven track record to continually excite consumers, to sell a vision, to drive innovation and to lead change.
• Strong presentation, planning and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong influence skills ability to work in a matrix environment.
• Extensive knowledge of market and trend analysis.
• Ability to manage a team and drive results.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor creative teams.
• Demonstrated international/interregional scope and experience.
• Strong time management and creative resource management capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and multi-task effectively under pressure.
• Strong understanding of Outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear product lines.
• Travel required: 20%