Designer Womens Footwear- Hybrid-Johnston & Murphy

The Ideal Candidate:

The Women’s Footwear Designer creates seasonal collections for Johnston & Murphy that combine modern style, comfort, quality, and commercial appeal. Working with Product Line Management, Product Development, and Sourcing, this role translates consumer insights and trends into brand-appropriate footwear and guides designs from concept through production.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Design women’s footwear across categories, including sandals, sneakers, casual and dress shoes, and boots.
• Research consumer, fashion, material, color, and competitive trends to develop seasonal concepts, palettes, and collection stories.
• Create sketches, detailed line art, color CADs, material specifications, and technical packages for development and factory partners.
• Partner with Product Line Management to align designs with seasonal line plans, customer needs, and business priorities.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Sourcing to refine designs, resolve construction challenges, and meet cost, quality, and production requirements.
• Review samples, materials, colors, and fit; clearly communicate revisions while preserving design intent.
• Present concepts and collections at key milestones and incorporate feedback from leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Manage multiple projects and development deadlines, and support special projects as assigned.

Experience and Skills You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three or more years of footwear design experience.
• Portfolio demonstrating concept development, sketching, technical execution, color and material application, and commercially relevant footwear design.
• Working knowledge of footwear construction, materials, components, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with strong sketching, rendering, technical drawing, CAD, and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of fashion, color, materials, and proportion, with the ability to translate trends into footwear appropriate for the brand and customer.
• Clear communication, creative problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Experience designing women’s fashion, lifestyle, or comfort-focused footwear across multiple categories.
• Experience working with overseas factories and development partners, including fittings, sample reviews, and preparing products for production.
• Familiarity with 3D footwear design or visualization tools.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Day-one medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Day-one 401(k) eligibility with company match and rollover options for existing retirement accounts
• 40% employee discount across all Geneso-owned brands and retail concepts
• Paid time off
• Nine paid holidays plus one floating holiday
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings account options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

#Hybrid