Freelance Senior Designer – Men’s & Golf Apparel

ABOUT ROOKLINE

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Rookline is a growing men’s golf apparel brand focused on creating elevated, modern apparel that performs on the course and fits seamlessly into life beyond it.

We are looking for an experienced Freelance Senior Designer to help lead the creative development and execution of seasonal collections and capsules as the brand continues to grow.

This is a hands‑on design role for someone with a strong background in men’s performance, active or lifestyle apparel who combines creative vision with commercial awareness and understands how to take a product from initial concept through development.

Working closely with Rookline’s founder and cross‑functional team, the Freelance Senior Designer will help establish seasonal concepts and translate those concepts into cohesive, commercially relevant collections consistent with the Rookline brand.

The designer will be involved throughout the development process, including concept development, seasonal color direction, sketching, fabric selection, trims, artwork, tech packs and product approvals.

We are looking for someone who can both develop the creative vision and execute the details required to bring that vision to life.

• Partner with Rookline’s founder to develop seasonal concepts and direction for collections and capsules.
• Research trends, competitive products, fabrics, colors and relevant market developments.
• Create compelling seasonal concept presentations, mood boards and other visual references.
• Develop and maintain seasonal color palettes.
• Sketch and design styles across Rookline’s product categories.
• Participate hands‑on in fabric selection, with particular attention to performance, hand feel, quality and intended product use.
• Develop and approve branded trims.
• Create and/or direct artwork, prints and graphics.
• Review and approve lab dips and strike‑offs.
• Develop detailed tech packs and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Participate in proto fittings to ensure design intent is maintained throughout development.
• Work closely with Production to balance design vision with margin, quality and delivery objectives.
• Collaborate with merchandising, production, sourcing, sales and other cross‑functional partners as needed.
• Manage design deliverables against the seasonal development calendar and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain consistency with Rookline’s brand identity while bringing new ideas and creative direction to the product.

• 5+ years of apparel design experience in men’s performance, active, sportswear or lifestyle apparel.
• Experience designing golf apparel is highly desirable but not required.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating relevant men’s apparel design experience.
• Strong understanding of performance fabrics, garment construction, color, trims and product development.
• Demonstrated ability to take product from initial concept through development and production.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Experience creating detailed tech packs and BOMs.
• Strong understanding of color and seasonal color development.
• 3D apparel design experience is a plus but not required.
• Highly organized, self‑motivated and detail‑oriented.
• Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong communicator with excellent follow‑through.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment.

This is a freelance/contract position with a flexible schedule based on Rookline’s seasonal design and development needs.

Candidates should be located in the New York City area and available to work in person as needed for seasonal design meetings, fabric and sample reviews, fittings and other collaborative work.

The balance of work may be performed remotely.

The amount of freelance work may fluctuate based on the seasonal design and development calendar.