Design Director, Brand Creative

Kenneth Cole Productions is a global fashion company built on the belief that business and social impact are interdependent. For over 40 years, we have designed, marketed, and distributed modern, versatile, and functional apparel, footwear, and accessories under the Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole, Unlisted, and Gentle Souls labels. Through strong domestic and international licensing partnerships, we continue to deliver high-quality products that reflect New York style and social consciousness.

Our success is driven by innovative, courageous, ambitious, and genuine employees who thrive in a highly collaborative workplace that embraces mutual respect, creative thinking, and results-driven accountability. Together, we are committed to helping people look good, feel confident, and make a positive impact in the world.

Job Purpose:

The Design Director, Brand Creative translates abstract business goals into actionable, visual strategies, while executing projects from concept to completion for a wide range of advertising campaigns and seasonal launches.

This role requires a multi-disciplinary creative leader with a strong design sensibility, who is a strategic operator who can provide direct hands-on execution. You continuously push the boundaries of creativity, with a keen eye for packaging design, logos and marketing materials, with the ability to wear multiple hats across print, digital, and video, while bringing a sense of curiosity about emerging AI platforms for creative innovation.

What You Will Do:

• Lead packaging design from concept through production, overseeing materials, renderings, project timelines, vendor coordination, proofing, and final execution to ensure brand consistency and quality.
• Partner with the Creative Director and Senior Art Director to develop campaign concepts, seasonal launches, product storytelling, and broader brand initiatives.
• Own the art direction and execution of marketing assets across print, digital, social media, e-commerce, and in-store channels, ensuring a high level of craftsmanship and consistency.
• Provide art direction for photo shoots, including concept development, on-set direction, image selection, retouching, and post-production.
• Manage multiple creative workstreams simultaneously, establishing priorities, communicating timelines, and ensuring projects are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Provide creative guidance, feedback, and day-to-day direction to designers, freelancers, agencies, and production partners, as applicable.
• Create or oversee light video editing and motion graphics for social media, digital campaigns, and internal presentations using Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, CapCut, or similar platforms.
• Partner with marketing, merchandising, e-commerce, and other cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into effective creative solutions.
• Manage relationships with external creative vendors and production partners, ensuring deliverables meet creative, budgetary, and timing requirements.
• Explore and apply AI tools, including Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, Runway, and ChatGPT, to support concept development, visual ideation, content creation, and workflow efficiency.

Who You Are:

• 7+ years of experience in art direction, graphic design, brand design, or creative development, preferably within the fashion, lifestyle, retail, or consumer products industries.
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Advertising, Marketing, Fine Arts, or a related field preferred.
• Strong experience leading packaging design from concept through production, including materials, deadlines, proofing, vendor coordination, and final execution.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, with working knowledge of Figma or similar collaborative design tools.
• Basic video editing and motion graphics skills for short-form digital and social media content.
• Familiarity with AI tools and their application to creative ideation, content development, and workflow efficiency.
• Strong understanding of creative, photographic, print, packaging, and digital production processes, including retouching and post-production.
• Demonstrated ability to lead creative workstreams, provide clear direction and feedback, and collaborate effectively with designers, freelancers, agencies, and production partners.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and influencing skills, with the …