Urban Outfitters - Temporary Assistant Concept Director

Urban Outfitters is seeking a Temporary Assistant Concept Director to support the Women's Concept Design team.  The Temporary Assistant Concept Director of Apparel & Accessories is the visionary architect behind the Urban Outfitters seasonal narrative. This role sits at the intersection of cultural intelligence, trend forecasting, and commercial strategy, responsible for defining the "North Star" that guides our multi-faceted brand portfolio. You will lead a high-performing creative team to translate global macro-trends—spanning art, music, social movements, and digital subcultures—into cohesive, brand-aligned visual concepts that resonate across our unique house labels:

• BDG

• Out From Under (OFU)

• Kimchi Blue

As a key leader, you are more than a "cool-hunter"; you are a strategic storyteller. You will leverage data-driven insights, advanced graphic design, and emerging AI technologies to deliver high-impact presentations that inspire executive leadership and ensure product adoption. Combining a deep passion for youth culture with rigorous business acumen, you will oversee the creative process from inception to the final seasonal message, ensuring UO remains a global trendsetter in a fast-paced, ever-changing market.

This role will be 3-4 months in duration to cover a temporary leave and is based on site at our world headquarters in Philadelphia, PA.  We are open to candidates commuting from NY 2-3 days per week and provide commuter expense reimbursement on a case by case basis.

STRATEGIC CONCEPT LEADERSHIP

• Seasonal Vision: Lead the end-to-end development of seasonal concepts, ensuring they resonate with the UO brand identity and the distinct DNA of BDG, OFU, and Kimchi Blue.

• Cultural Intelligence: Track and translate emerging trends in fashion, music, art, and digital culture into actionable "Seasonal Cultural Overviews."

• Trend Synthesis: Distill global market research and consumer insights into big-picture trend stories that drive product innovation and sales.

• Visual Storytelling: Utilize advanced graphic design and AI platforms (e.g., MidJourney) to generate original imagery and high-impact visual tools.

BUSINESS & OPERATIONAL OVERSIGHT

• Market Intelligence: Monitor global competitor activity and niche market dynamics to ensure UO remains a market leader.

• Data Integration: Analyze Velo and seasonal hindsights to align creative vision with commercial business goals.

• Portfolio Management: Balance the unique aesthetic requirements of each house label while maintaining a cohesive overall UO seasonal message.

• Budget & Calendar: Manage the team’s departmental budgets and adhere to the master calendar to ensure all milestones are met on time.

• Market Reporting: Oversee the creation of comprehensive shop reports and share key findings with the broader Design and Buying teams.

TEAM LEADERSHIP & COLLABORATION

• Mentorship: Lead and inspire the Concept Team, providing constructive, "in-the-moment" coaching and creating professional development opportunities.

• Executive Presentation: Act as a key voice in concept presentations, clearly communicating trend highlights and business opportunities to Senior Leadership.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Foster deep collaboration with Design and Buying partners to ensure the successful adoption and execution of key seasonal trends.

• Workflow Innovation: Identify process inefficiencies and implement new ways of working to leverage creative assets and team talent more effectively.

CREATIVE EXECUTION

• Sample Curation: Source and curate vintage and inspirational samples that serve as the physical foundation for seasonal concepts.

• Presentation Design: Drive the innovation of information formatting to ensure presentations are both highly communicative and aesthetically inspiring.

• Brand Ambassadorship: Model the company’s values and foster a positive, "culture of we" environment within the creative department.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Trend Forecasting, Fine Arts, or a related creative field.

• Industry Tenure: 10–12+ years of experience in fashion design, concept, or trend forecasting, specifically within a high-volume retail or lifestyle brand environment.

• Leadership Experience: 5+ years in a management role, with a proven track record of mentoring creative teams and managing direct reports.

• Portfolio Excellence: A strong portfolio demonstrating a sophisticated aesthetic, advanced visual storytelling, and the ability to concept across diverse brand identities (Denim/Street, Intimates/Lounge, and Feminine/Vintage-inspired).

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Creative Software: Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• AI & Innovation: Experience with—or a high degree of openness to—creative exploration using AI platforms such as MidJourney to generate original imagery.

• Data Literacy: Ability to interpret retail analytics (e.g., Velo reports) and seasonal hindsights to inform creative strategy.

• Presentation Design: Advanced skills in layout and information formatting to create highly communicative and inspiring digital and physical presentations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Cultural Intelligence: A deep, innate understanding of the Urban Outfitters customer, including a passion for the music, art, social, and digital subcultures that drive their behavior.

• Strategic Trend Synthesis: The ability to distill complex global macro-trends into concise, actionable messages that drive sales and brand evolution.

• Multi-Label Mastery: Capability to pivot between the distinct DNA of BDG, OFU, and Kimchi Blue while maintaining a unified seasonal "North Star."

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to present to and influence Executive Leadership.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Agility: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while remaining flexible and positive through rapid change.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to a strict master calendar.

• Problem-Solving: A self-directed "solution-seeker" who can identify process inefficiencies and initiate creative ways to leverage assets.

• Collaborative Spirit: A natural "brand ambassador" who fosters a culture of "we" and works seamlessly across Design, Buying, and Marketing functions.

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.