Design Operations Associate, Lauren Licensing

Position Overview

The Lauren Design Operations Associate position will support all aspects of design direction for Lauren global licensed products from initial concept to finished product. The Design Operations Associate will report directly to the Head of Lauren Licensing Design, and will manage all administrative functions and communications to ensure efficient and seamless execution of design concepts for seven licensed companies, covering a multitude of product classifications.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the design process with scheduling and calendar optimization for meetings with the licensed companies.
• Daily management of the relationships with Lauren licensed companies and products, including coats, swim and cover-ups, jewelry, neckwear, cold weather, hats, gloves, outerwear, sleepwear, hosiery, and intimate apparel.
• Coordinate and distribute seasonal design information to licensees: RTW rig concepts, concept decks, prints, color palettes, fabrics, graphics and trim, and handbag and footwear concepts, materials and sketches, for inspiration and style direction.
• Accurate and timely follow-up for all design information, samples, and inspiration requests. A clear understanding of the purpose for each request and the respective licensee contacts for the response and follow-up.
• Participate in licensee design meetings and select accessory and footwear meetings.
• Develop relationships and partner cross-functionally with internal partners (print, color, fabrics, trim, graphics, sweaters, knits, handbag and footwear design teams) to fulfill the design needs of the licensees.
• Coordinate licensed product for Lauren RTW seasonal style-outs/market showrooms and advertising shoots.
• Coordinate handbag samples for licensee showrooms.
• Key liaison for reviewing and finalizing licensee product identified in merchandising looks for seasonal B2B sales platform.
• Liaise with RL legal team for product and print reviews.
• Assist in design/review of licensee seasonal retail facing materials: concept presentations, line lists, and look books.
• In-depth knowledge of licensee product categories.
• On-going store/e-commerce visits: knowledgeable about Lauren product presentation, department positioning, competition and brand adjacencies.
• Assist in the approval process for packaging, product labels, and hang tags.
• In-depth knowledge of Ralph Lauren brands through RL library visits, archive product and advertising research, RL store visits, and RL e-commerce site review.
• Maintain organization of product archives; precisely organized by category for quick access.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent communication skills - exceptional writing skills and highly articulate.
• Highly detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Extremely meticulous with timely and accurate follow-up
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• High standards and a strong work ethic– willing to work hard for excellent results.
• Creative, flexible, ability to think outside the box, and solution oriented.
• Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization in addition to working with licensee partners with varied cultures, goals, and strategies.
• Ability to multi-task in an extremely fast-paced environment and establish cross functional relationships.
• Possess a strong sense of urgency; priority and time management.
• Ability to stay on task and meet deadlines.
• Strong client-service orientation
• Team player and independent worker.
• Ability to ask questions and share challenges.
• Proficiency in Outlook, MS Office applications including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong appreciation of the Ralph Lauren brand.

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Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws. Please note background checks will be evaluated individually.