The North Face: Concept Designer, Innovation Apparel (Global)

At The North Face we dare to lead the world forward through Exploration. We were born to Explore, Disrupt and to Lead. We were born to Love Wild Places and to Spark Curiosity. We believe that exploration is a mindset - both on the mountain and off the mountain - and it infuses everything we do. As a community of explorers, we stay curious about new ideas, places, and people. 

 

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of adventure-loving people, The North Face just may be the place for you.  

 

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit The North Face Careers or www.thenorthface.com.  

Concept Designer, Innovation Apparel (Global)

What you will do

As a Concept Designer on The North Face Innovation team, you’ll help define the future of performance apparel by creating bold, functional, and technically advanced designs. This role is about pushing boundaries—merging cutting-edge materials, emerging technologies, and consumer insights to deliver breakthrough concepts that inspire and perform in the most demanding environments. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform visionary ideas into market-ready products that embody TNF’s design DNA and innovation ethos. This role reports to the Sr. Manager, Concept Design, Innovation.
How You Will Make a Difference:

• Design for Innovation: Create forward-thinking apparel concepts that solve real consumer problems, integrating performance, sustainability, and style.
• Trend & Tech Research: Conduct research on silhouette, construction, and emerging technologies to inform concept direction and inspire new solutions.
• Visual Storytelling: Build compelling mood boards and presentations that communicate design intent and innovation narratives to leadership and global teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Management, Materials, and Development teams to ensure clarity of briefs and alignment on performance goals.
• Material Innovation: Work closely with the materials team to brief and develop advanced fabrics, trims, and insulation technologies.
• Influence Adoption: Collaborate with in-line teams to integrate new technologies into seasonal assortments, driving innovation through to product launch.
• Technical Execution: Support tech pack creation for new styles, ensuring precision in design, construction, and fit intent.
• Knowledge Sharing: Develop content for global training sessions and knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Hands-On Development: Travel to factories and suppliers to prototype, refine, and validate concepts in real-world conditions.

What do you need to succeed? 

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 3-5 years of experience and professional achievements.

• Education: BA/BS in Apparel Design, Industrial Design, or equivalent experience.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• CAD expertise; 3D design experience (CLO, Browzwear) highly desirable.
• Innovation Mindset: Curiosity for emerging technologies and interest in digital product creation, computational design, and AI-driven concepting.
• Construction Knowledge: Strong understanding of apparel construction, fit, and performance requirements; skilled in flat sketching and illustration.
• Outd