Technical Footwear Director

Our Story

J.Crew gets you dressed every day, for every occasion. 

Since 1983, we’ve been creating classics that feel familiar and refreshingly new, crafted with unbeatable quality and distinctive point of view—it’s no wonder we’ve been in your closet for four decades and counting.

Today, we continue to do the classics our way, inspiring not only how you shop but how you define your personal style. Our commitment runs deeper than just making great clothes—we’re proud of our role in getting you dressed with confidence, character, and celebrating a distinctly American sensibility that makes us who we are. 

Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Sustainability has been celebrated with industry recognition, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable workplace.

In this role as a Technical Footwear Development Director, you will work closely with Design & Production team in NY and Footwear team in Asia.  This position is pivotal in translating design's vision to best in class product.  This role supports the Women's, Men's and Kid’s Footwear departments for Madewell, J.Crew, Crewcuts, & J.Crew Factory for all genders through technical expertise and organizational skills. This role involves assisting with the technical design process, coordinating sample fittings, and ensuring that all product specifications are accurately captured for the development & commercialization of footwear collections. 

Responsibilities:

• Work with design team and recommends enhancements, construction and material options  for better fit and comfort while assisting in interpreting design’s needs

• Resolve engineering that does not meet design, merchandising and production needs

• Manage the handover of design specifications to footwear team in Asia and direct to factory for rest of world

• Monitor multiple calendars and oversee scheduling needs between internal teams and model to conduct fit sessions while ensuring deadlines and production schedules are met

• Review all prototypes and market samples to ensure accuracy in execution to specification

• Monitor and track all requested fit and confirmation samples to ensure exact execution of final design and ensure products meet company standards and consumer expectations for fit, aesthetic value and structural integrity

• Use knowledge of costing and shoemaking to develop cost right product

• Demonstrate a strong technical understanding of footwear materials construction techniques and applications relative to development execution.

• Provide technical training to the business including advice and support on all Issues regarding shoe construction

• Lead a team and develop strong cross functional partnerships

• Act as a positive, supportive partner, consistently demonstrating our values

• Work closely with Asia footwear team leads to build one global footwear team

Qualifications:

• 15+ years in footwear product development and engineering. 

• Bachelor degree or above

• Proficient in PC applications including MS Excel.

• Knowledge of FlexPLM preferred

• Experience with Sustainable materials & attributes including knowledge around innovation & new materials in this space

• Abilities to evaluate construction problems on live models 

• Excellent communication, people management and organizational skills

• Detail oriented & able to work under pressure with sense of urgency

We welcome you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes. Our passion is scouting life-long learners who are driven by curiosity, and who feel connected to our brands and share our desire to make an impact. We’re always seeking bright new talent who leverage their unique experiences to discover, grow and evolve with our teams.

Benefits + Perks

• Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.

• Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).

• Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.

• Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.

• Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

Note: Availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to work location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements.

At J.Crew Group (JCG) we aim to pay competitively for our company’s size and industry. The base salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region of work premises, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.  The base salary is just one component of J.Crew Group’s competitive total rewards strategy that also includes the opportunity for bonus, competitive benefits and perks.

One of our core focuses here at JCG is creating a community and culture that builds belonging. We are deeply committed to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, and we warmly welcome job applicants of all backgrounds.

JCG is proud to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all associates and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, legally protected physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected under applicable law.