Senior Manager, Design, Women's Performance (12 Mo. Fixed-Term Contract)

Location: Canada

State/Province/City: British Columbia

City: Vancouver

Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)

Time Type: Full-time

Description & Requirements

who we are
lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

a day in the life: 

The Design Manager for Run, Train, and Outdoors at lululemon collaborates with the VP in leading the design process with the team you are working with.  You understand the brand essence and ethos and coach and lead it.   Under the mentorship & partnership of the VP, you create and develop the line from inception of ideas to production of garments.  You have experience embedding intuitive innovation into each product & find the blend of function and beauty.

 

You lead, inspire and coach. You manage the people and the process – creating structure for the design team. You will be overseeing a team of 6 designers ranging from assistant to senior.

 

You are part of the leadership team that recruits into the women’s design team.  You manage the workflow and workload of the team seasonally, allocating resources and support where needed.  You lead the designer’s day to day in collaborating across teams for a cohesive line. You are an expert in your technical knowledge and your role is a balance of leading and designing. 

 

As the Design Manager you will be part of the upfront work for the season, contributing to the build of our seasonal narrative and working closely with your design leaders to instill the vision into the team’s work. As a manager you are responsible for the performance of your subcategory. 

 

You excel at presenting your teams concepts and communicating seasonal direction and design to the design leadership team, as well as the design team.

 

You work closely with the Merchants on the assortment and the direction of the line, and with the Sourcing Director to ensure we have the right partners to innovate with.  You also partner with the Go To Market team on the seasonal calendar and workflow of major design events – strategy and solution-focused.

 

  • You are responsible for overseeing the day to day of the design team to execute seasonal styles that reflect lululemon’s Women’s Design ethos.  You coach and inspire the design team in the work. You will have clear reference points in terms of understanding product storytelling, design and construction.
  • You are responsible for understanding the impact of your decisions on timelines and margins and help install discipline to more junior designers on the team. You are accountable for the performance of your subcategories (run, train, and outdoors).
  • You combine active product use experience, market knowledge, trend research, and collaboration between lululemon designers to create functional, innovative, quality designs. You will have a clear reference point in terms of understanding product storytelling, design and construction. 
  • You understand female form, expert in how to drape, create and conceptualize during your design process.
  • You partner with ambassadors and athletes to continually elevate and innovate our product.
  • You will be allocated an assortment of styles in your given category, dependent on the level of complexity of the category.  
  • Responsible for fitting styles to accurately communicate your design intent. Partner with the in-house workshop to create mockups and prototypes.
  • Teamwork and clear communication are essential.  You work cross functionally within the pod, collaborating with product development, fit, merchandising, raw materials development and colour, sourcing and design operations ensuring your teams have the most up to date information on each style. 
  • You have razor sharp attention to detail around product/process so that we build beautiful technical athletic apparel. You have an clear understanding of function and how to embed style, beauty and fashion where needed. Finding a balance in the product. 
  • Awareness of how the line is currently performing in stores – join key meetings for downloads, lead design meetings, partner with your leaders to action feedback for continual innovation of product & to the junior members of the team.  

 

qualifications:

  • 8-10 years minimum experience required, combination of industry experience and people management 
  • BA, BFA or BS in Design required (or equivalent)
  • Proficient in Adobe Illustrator
  • Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop, Excel, Word, Mac platform
  • An understanding in 3D design would be a benefit

must haves
  • Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
  • Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results. 
  • Communicate with honesty and kindness and create the space for others to do the same. 
  • Lead with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure. 
  • Foster connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships. 
  • Integrate fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn’t take yourself too seriously.


Additional Notes
Authorization to work in Canada is required for this role. 

Compensation and Benefits Package 
lululemon’s compensation offerings are grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy that recognizes exceptional individual and team performance. The typical hiring range for this position is from $155,800-204,400 CAD annually; the base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.   

At lululemon, investing in our people is a top priority. We believe that when life works, work works. We strive to be the place where inclusive leaders come to develop and enable all to be well. Recognizing our teams for their performance and dedication, other components of our total rewards offerings include support of career development, wellbeing, and personal growth:
  • Extended health and dental benefits, and mental health plans 
  • Paid time off 
  • Savings and retirement plan matching 
  • Generous employee discount 
  • Fitness & yoga classes 
  • Parenthood top-up 
  • Extensive catalog of development course offerings 
  • People networks, mentorship programs, and leadership series (to name a few) 
Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.


workplace arrangement


This role is classified as Hybrid under our SSC Workplace Policy: In-person collaboration is important, and much of the role can be performed remotely. Work is performed onsite at least 3 days per week.  


#LI-Hybrid

Apply Now

Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us ataccommodations@lululemon.com. In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.