Associate Director - Los Angeles

Who We Are: · Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We're #2. · Since 2009, we've been on a mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. Named one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter and winning a Best Carbon Footprint award, we have big goals like being Climate Po ...

Job description

Who We Are:

Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We're #2.

Since 2009, we've been on a mission to bring sustainable fashion to everyone. Named one of Fast Company's Brands That Matter and winning a Best Carbon Footprint award, we have big goals like being Climate Positive by 2025, Circular by 2030, and pushing the whole industry forward along the way. Our work has gotten love in Drapers and Sourcing Journal, and TIME wrote about how great our CEO, Hali Borenstein, is. Basically, we're saving the Earth and looking damn good doing it.

We're a global brandwith 50+ stores (and counting) around the world, and our own sustainable factory in LA. We innovate across categories like accessories, swimwear, and sleepwear, and we reach millions of people with campaigns like this, this and this. 

None of this work is possible without the incredible people behind it. We're a mission-based company that invests in an inclusive culture, so we can innovate together and ensure everyone has the space to grow, thrive, and belong.

And starting right now, we want to do all that with you.

Work Location/ Schedule:

Based in Los Angeles, 4 days a week in the office.

The Role:

The Denim Design Associate Director / Director leads the creative vision, design execution, and long-term strategy for women's denim. This role owns the end-to-end design process—from concept through production—while partnering closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Fit, Sourcing, and Production to deliver commercially successful, on-brand denim collections.

You are both visionary and detail-driven, equally comfortable setting seasonal direction and refining a rise, pocket placement, or wash until it's perfect.

What You'll Do:

• Own the performance and execution of the roadmap for all denim categories, jeans and apparel, in alignment with brand identity, customer insights, and business goals
• Define seasonal denim direction including silhouettes, fits, fabrications, washes, finishes, and detailing
• Balance trend leadership with timeless core denim essentials
• Ensure consistency and cohesion across all denim categories (core, fashion, seasonal, extensions)
• Collaborate closely with Fit and Technical Design to achieve best-in-class fit and comfort
• Drive innovation in fabric development, wash techniques, sustainability, and construction
• Lead, mentor, and develop the denim design team
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance creative environment
• Stay deeply connected to global denim trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies
• Translate customer data, fit feedback, and sales performance into actionable design improvements
• Conduct market research, vintage research, and trend analysis to inform design direction

What You Bring:

• 8+ years of experience in apparel design, with at least 2–3 years minimum managing or mentoring a team
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and PLM systems
• Strong track record of designing for high-growth, elevated contemporary or premium brands
• Deep expertise in denim construction, fits, washes, fabrics, and production processes
• Detail-oriented, decisive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for innovation, quality, and continuous improvement
• Strategic executor with strong commercial instincts and customer obsession
• Confident, clear communicator with the ability to influence across levels and functions
• Experience working with both domestic and overseas vendors; able to balance creative vision with production reality
• Fierce attention to detail and a passion for elevating product
• A collaborative, kind, roll-up-your-sleeves leader who thrives in fast-paced environments
• Deep alignment with Reformation's mission, values, and design philosophy

You Are:

• Bold but thoughtful. Strategic but decisive. Curious but focused.
• A mentor and a doer—you coach others, but can also dig into the work and lead by example
• Excited to help scale and evolve a beloved, values-led brand
• Inspired by fashion's future and serious about shaping it for the better
• A denim obsessive who understands both heritage and modern denim

Compensation:

At Reformation, we believe in transparency and equity when it comes to compensation. For this role, the anticipated base salary range is $140,000 – $160,000 + bonus 15% eligibility, depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and internal compensation equity.

This role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a range of factors, including company performance, department goals, and individual contributions. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and are determined at the company's discretion.

Please note that compensation decisions are made thoughtfully and may vary from the listed range to reflect individual circumstances and evolving business needs. Our total rewards package also includes benefits, perks, and opportunities for growth that contribute to overall compensation.

Benefits & Perks:

• Eligible employees get employer-sponsored private medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as commuter benefits to help support your travel to and from work.
• We offer competitive paid time off policies including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays for eligible employees. 
• We offer retirement planning support for eligible employees, including the option to invest in Environmental Social Governance-aligned (fancy way to say sustainable) funds. 
• We're a mission-based company with offices in LA, NYC and London, as well as a global retail team, which means you'll get to collaborate with people all around the world.
• You'll get access to fertility care support through Carrot, and up to a $5,000 USD reimbursement for related fertility expenses after 1 year of employment.
• We care about the causes our employees care about so we donate to community efforts on a yearly basis. 
• We offer a clothing discount, culture events (like our annual Ref Values week and Volunteer Time Off), you know, all the meaningful and fun stuff

Reformation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the world we want to live in. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status—in accordance with applicable international, federal, state, and local laws.

If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We're here to ensure you have what you need to show up as your best self.

Still don't know if you should apply? We get it—studies show that many women and individuals from historically underrepresented communities hold back from applying unless they meet every single requirement. At Reformation, we're all about growth, not gatekeeping. If you're passionate about the role and excited about making fashion more sustainable, we'd love to hear from you. If this role doesn't totally excite you, consider applying to our general application.

CRPA Notice found hereWant some more? - Sustainability, Forbes, Fast Company