What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President of Design – Handbags position at Collection XIIX, Ltd.?
Vice President of Design – Handbags
📍 New York, NY | Hybrid / In-Office
We are seeking an experienced and highly strategic Vice President of Design to lead our Handbags Division. This role is ideal for a seasoned handbags design executive with deep expertise in global product development, and brand building at scale.
The VP of Design will own the creative vision and execution of the handbags business, partnering closely with executive leadership, merchandising, sales, and production to deliver compelling, commercially successful collections from concept through production.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the creative direction and product development strategy for the Handbags Division
- Manage and mentor multiple teams of designers, CAD artists, and product development associates
- Oversee the full product lifecycle—from initial sketches and line planning through sampling, costing, and production
- Design and develop trend-right, brand-driven handbag collections aligned with market needs and brand DNA
- Create signature handbags, prints, hardware, logos, and material stories
- Present seasonal concepts, line plans, and product strategies to executive leadership and retail partners
- Partner with merchandising and sales to ensure assortments support growth, margin, and volume goals
- Oversee global development and production, maintaining daily communication with overseas factories
- Travel internationally as needed to expedite sampling, troubleshoot production challenges, and ensure quality
- Lead material selection across leather and non-leather categories, including trims, hardware, and packaging
- Negotiate material costs, MOQs, and proto pricing to meet margin targets upfront
- Problem-solve across design, development, and production to maintain timelines and delivery
- Drive growth initiatives, including new brand launches, category expansion, and business scaling
Qualifications & Experience
- 15 years of handbags design and product development experience
- Proven leadership experience within wholesale, private label, or licensed handbags businesses
- Demonstrated success scaling handbags divisions and driving multi-million-dollar growth
- Deep expertise in leather construction, materials, hardware, and handbag engineering
- Strong understanding of costing, margin structure, and production economics
- Executive-level presentation experience with senior leadership and retail buyers
- Hands-on design background with strong freehand sketching skills
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop; strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills
- Willingness to travel internationally
What Sets You Apart
- You are both a creative leader and a commercial thinker
- You understand handbags from concept to the selling floor
- You thrive in fast-paced, high-volume environments
- You are a brand builder with a sharp eye for detail and quality
- You lead teams with clarity, accountability, and inspiration
Why Join Us
- Lead and shape a high-impact handbags business
- Partner directly with executive leadership
- Creative ownership with meaningful influence on growth
- Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation will be commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive salary, bonus opportunity, and a comprehensive benefits package.