Urban Outfitters Designer - Sweaters

The UO Designer is responsible for delivering innovative, trend-right designs that align with the Urban Outfitters brand vision and customer. This role requires a clear point of view on trend evolution, fabric development, and assortment balance, while maintaining strong business acumen and an ability to respond to real-time performance insights. The Designer partners closely with cross-functional teams—including Buying, Product Development, Print, and Color—to execute seasonal collections with a focus on quality, fit, and margin goals.

In addition to leading fabric road mapping and seasonal design presentations, the UO Designer fosters a collaborative, creative, and customer-centric culture, mentoring direct reports and providing constructive feedback. This role requires excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, along with proficiency in digital and hand sketching, Adobe Suite, AI creative tools, and product lifecycle systems. With a strong connection to the UO customer and a drive to innovate, the Designer ensures that collections embody the brand’s values while meeting both creative and commercial objectives.

• Interpret trends and translate them into innovative, customer-relevant designs aligned with the UO brand vision.

• Drive fabric development and road mapping; maintain a strong POV on fabric trends and evolution.

• Partner with Buying to identify white space opportunities and react to real-time business performance.

• Manage the execution of designs from concept through finalization, ensuring alignment with margin and quality goals.

• Lead and approve all aspects of sample development before finalization.

• Oversee and prepare seasonal presentation materials, including Sketch Review, Finalization, Print + Color Day, fittings, and team meetings.

• Conduct effective design presentations, clearly articulating fabric, construction, and fit intentions.

• Analyze business metrics (e.g., Velo) to inform design decisions and assortment strategy.

• Foster collaboration across Design, Buying, Product Development, Print, and Color teams.

• Mentor and coach direct reports, providing clear goals, constructive feedback, and professional development.

• Anticipate obstacles, proactively problem-solve, and manage calendar deliverables to meet deadlines.

• Maintain strong knowledge of trends, the UO customer, and brand objectives to guide design direction.

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and alignment across teams.

• Serve as a brand ambassador and role model, promoting teamwork, creativity, and accountability.

• Experience: Minimum 5+ years of management experience in design.

• Technical Skills:

  • Strong hand and digital sketching ability.

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.

  • Knowledge of Treadstone and BOM maintenance.

  • Ability to independently conduct set-ups and fittings.

• Creative Tools: Experience using AI tools (e.g., MidJourney, PromeAi, ChatGPT) for creative and presentation purposes.

• Design Expertise:

  • Strong understanding of fabric development, construction, and fit.

  • Ability to forecast and interpret trends relevant to the UO customer.

• Leadership & Collaboration:

  • Experience mentoring and managing direct reports.

  • Strong communication and presentation skills to collaborate across cross-functional teams.

• Organizational Skills: Highly organized with the ability to anticipate change, problem-solve, and manage deadlines effectively.

• Mindset: Proactive, resourceful, and accountable, with a strong connection to the UO customer and brand values.

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.