Senior Design Manager-Fine & Demi Fine Jewelry

About Kendra Scott
We are a fashion-lifestyle brand of big dreams, colorful confidence, and inspired design. Founded on Family, Fashion and Philanthropy, we believe that our employees and customers are the heart and soul of our brand, and that giving back is the truest form of success. Fashion meets innovation in the design of our two state-of-the-art facilities based in the heart of Austin, Texas, and overflows into the design of our growing retail environment across the country.

Position Overview:
The Senior Design Manager for Fine and Demi-Fine Jewelry is a member of the Design Team. The Senior Design Manager for Fine and Demi-Fine jewelry is an exempt, full-time position reporting to the Department Head of Design. The Senior Design Manager will facilitate the timely, effective and on-brand completion of jewelry collections and projects by the Fine and Sterling jewelry design team.

• Oversee the design and design production process from receipt of Design direction and Merchant assortment handoff - preparing at every phase to consult with leadership and partners, expertly Interpreting and applying feedback and training reports effectively in the next steps
• Represent Design and business best interests in all internal and cross-functional meetings as a design leader

• Guide and model for direct reports how to best interpret direction into concept creating virtual mock-ups/2D photorealistic renderings, 3D CAD models, technical specifications, and ultimately finished assortments

• Provide and train the team on proper component breakout, construction, and methods of fabrication to meet design intent and production capabilities

• Oversee design process and delegation of tasks to direct reports, developing ownership and leadership

• Ensure design intent is maintained in final spec hand-off and vendor samples received
• Maintain consistent dialogue with Design Management to ensure alignment with design intent and assortment goals during the prototyping phase and throughout the design process

• Clearly communicate project status and manage priorities with leadership input to cross functional partners and pro-actively to Supervisor

• Attend and host meetings representing the Design department as needed (see above)
• Oversees multiple projects and processes to ensure timeline and accurate completion of projects
• Oversee proper use of, maintenance, troubleshooting, and arranging service of 3D printer and related software (Magics and Envisiontec Perfactory) as needed

• Set standard of organization and for all 2D and 3D shared files and design reference standards

• Establish best practices for design processes and implement process improvement as needed

• The primary function of the Designer is to translate Design Concepts into reality
• Interpret conceptual direction from Design management, expounding upon concept- providing back sketches, mock-ups and other communication of ideas to gain approval for prototyping

• Maintain consistent dialogue with Design Management to ensure alignment with design intent and assortment goals during prototyping phase and throughout design process

• Provide training and mentorship on best practices for process, equipment and design aesthetic to new Design team members

• Create and oversee creation of highest quality prototypes using computer aided design soft wares (Matrix 9, Rhino 5, T-splines, Z brush) and/or other hands-on

• Explore traditional and non-traditional jewelry techniques as needed to create prototypes
• Analyze, approve or oversee edits to KS and factory produced CAD models to meet design intent, production needs and monetary goals

• Authority on new techniques/technologies available for producing models
• Research jewelry relevant trend and competitor product offering to supplement requests and direction as needed

• Visit vendors overseas and attend trade shows as needed

• Champion the Kendra Scott design aesthetic, quality expectation and innovative mindset
• Maintain a high level of communication and collaboration with Supervisor and members of the design team to ensure continual progress toward timely, accurate and cohesive assortment completion

• Confer within design team and cross functional teams to establish and assess best practices for day-to-day operation and organization of all shared design data

• Contribute own and regard others personal aesthetic sensibilities to enrich team perspective

• Must be organized, able to act independently as well as take direction, and able

• Maintain a clean, efficient and safe working

• Bachelor's in Metal Arts, Jewelry degree or equivalent work experience
• 7+ years' experience as a Designer for a high-growth company
• A proven ability to break down larger initiatives into consumable achievable tasks to achieve departmental and company objectives

• Ability to clearly articulate plans and ensure team is aligned
• A solutions-oriented mentality with a data driven approach

• Successfully launched products that demonstrate complex product design solutions
• A growth mindset: track record of leveraging past learnings, encouraging new ideas and smart risk taking in self and others

• Strong communication skills with a proven ability to build cross functional partnerships to make effective decisions collaboratively

• High commitment to employee growth and development: empowers team and defines success as having a significant impact on other's careers
• A shared appreciation for our 3 core values of Family, Fashion and Philanthropy

• Proficient skill set in Matrix9, Rhino5, NURBS, TSplines, ZBrush, Adobe CS, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office Suite, V-Ray, Magics RP, 3D Printing

• Expertise of CAD/model making and creative design training/experience, with a high level of "aesthetic sensibility"

• Manufacturing knowledge of jewelry and/or hard good related industries
• Knowledge of construction and fabrication of working, innovative mechanisms: clasps, hinges, etc.

• Experience working, building and troubleshooting with diverse materials: plated metals, precious metals, acrylic, wood, gemstones, diamonds etc.

• Adaptability to changing business needs and tight timelines