Design Manager - Swim & Active

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 activewear.

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.