Director of Design, Men's Footwear - Johnston & Murphy

The Ideal Candidate

The Design Director is a key leadership position responsible for shaping the long‑term growth, profitability, and strategic direction of the Johnston & Murphy men's footwear business. The position oversees all aspects of product design for men's footwear, ensuring alignment with current business priorities and future brand strategy. A highly creative and collaborative leader, this role directs and develops a team of designers while working closely with Product Line Management and Development, as well as cross‑functional partners including Retail and Wholesale merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain, to deliver cohesive and successful men's footwear.

• Partner with the Product Line Manager to define the strategic and creative vision for the men's footwear line each season.
• Foster a performance‑driven culture that inspires a team commitment to consumer‑focused, innovative, and market‑relevant footwear solutions.
• Lead the development of seasonal design direction informed by consumer insights, fashion forecasts, and market trends, from initial inspiration through final selling tools.
• Oversee all phases of the product creation process—from concept development through commercialization handoff—ensuring timely execution and delivery.
• Maintain a cohesive product assortment by balancing synergy and differentiation across the line, while managing an effective mix of core and seasonal "energy" product.
• Build strong cross‑functional partnerships with retail and wholesale teams, as well as the apparel and accessories team, to ensure alignment on seasonal objectives and execution strategies.
• Guide and support the selection of seasonal lasts, materials, components, and color palettes to meet design, performance, and commercial goals.
• Lead innovation across product design and development—advancing comfort technologies and construction—while continuously improving team processes and ways of working.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related field of study.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in men's fashion footwear design and development.
• Proven expertise managing the end‑to‑end product creation lifecycle, including product briefs, ideation, design execution, technical packages, cost management, prototyping, and overseas development.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of modern footwear manufacturing methods, with the ability to oversee and direct all design and development processes.
• Highly creative with a passion for fashion design and deep understanding leather, textiles, components, and color concepts.
• Demonstrated success building effective partnerships across an organization, with factory partners, and with suppliers.
• Experience leading a footwear design teams, balancing structured process management with a creative culture that encourages innovation and new ideas.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to adapt quickly and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong blend of analytical, decision‑making, and creative problem solving skills.
• Domestic and international travel required.