Design Manager - Swim

Position: Design Manager - Swim & Active
Location: Victoria

You are a technical and creative design & product leader with deep expertise in swimwear and performance-driven apparel. You bring mastery in fit, construction, and fabric innovation, paired with the ability to translate creative direction into exceptional product execution. You are a strong manager who builds high-performing teams, leads fit and development with clarity, and consistently delivers category-defining products.
What You’ll Do  Execute Creative Direction for Swim & Lifestyle   Execute seasonal concepts, silhouette development, fabric strategies, and innovation priorities aligned to the brand-led creative direction.
Translate customer insights and brand values into product that is functional, elevated, and unmistakably LOF.
Lead innovative approaches to performance materials, compression, fit, and construction unique to swim and active wear.
Lead Fit, Development & Technical Excellence   Oversee the full product lifecycle, from sketch through final fit approval, with clear accountability for technical execution.
Lead the fit & development functions for Swim & Lifestyle, ensuring consistency, quality, and performance across categories.
Partner with Development and Fit to refine construction, durability, technical performance, and comfort.
Own fit consistency standards and lead fit sessions with clear decision-making authority.
Deliver High-Performing Swimwear & Apparel   Ensure product meets the highest standards for quality, functionality, and brand alignment.
Partner with Merchandising on line architecture, pricing, and seasonal assortment strategy.
Champion sampling excellence, efficient approval workflows, and problem resolution.
Lead & Grow a High-Performing Team   Manage and coach Designers, Developers, and Fit Specialists, fostering ownership and continuous improvement.
Provide clear direction, process structure, and tools that enable seamless execution.
Develop junior talent and ensure alignment to overall design and technical strategy.
Cross-Functional Leadership   Partner with Production & Sourcing on fabric evaluation, performance testing, and technical troubleshooting.
Collaborate with Brand on storytelling to ensure swim product is represented accurately and powerfully.
Work with cross-functional teams to deliver on margin, quality, and go-to-market expectations.
Drive Operational and Process Excellence   Lead sampling strategy, calendar management, and communication workflows.
Continuously refine processes to improve accuracy, speed, and product consistency.
Ensure timelines are met and product hits margin, quality, and brand standards.
What You Bring   8+ years of design experience in swimwear, performance apparel, or technical product; 3+ years directly leading teams.
Deep expertise in fit, development, construction, and technical fabric innovation.
Proven ability to scale categories and deliver iconic, high-performing product.
Strong partnership skills across Development, Fit, Production, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Brand.
A leadership style grounded in clarity, accountability, and team empowerment.
A portfolio showcasing exceptional technical execution and design craft.
Naturally collaborative, you lead through influence, not ego.

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