Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook —
What does a Director of Design & Merchandising do?
A Director of Design and Merchandising manages a team of designers and production assistants to complete product lines, collections, and presentations. They oversee the development, execution, and communication of seasonal merchandise strategies to meet financial projections. Directors create cohesive messaging across branding and marketing initiatives and work closely with trend forecasters.
How much does a Director of Design & Merchandising make?
According to Talent, Directors of Design & Merchandising make a national average of $130,000 or $62.50 an hour (as of June 2022). This position is a senior level role and salaries currently range between $107,250 (25th percentile) to $162,000 (75th percentile). This wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the fashion industry?
Merchandising bridges the gap between design and retail. They specialize in balancing visual creativity with commercial appeal. The ultimate goal is to combine those two disciplines to properly position products to sell. Whether virtually or in-store, it is the responsibility of merchandisers to ensure that marketing campaigns and store displays are visually appealing to potential consumers.
What is the job outlook for a Director of Design & Merchandising?
Analysts forecast that global apparel revenue will grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in fashion advertising and merchandising (including Directors of Design & Merchandising) are expected to grow at a rate of 10% during the 2020-2030 decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- The role of Director of Design and Merchandising is a senior role, so begin your career in merchandising.
- Explore the Parsons School of Design x Teen Vogue Fashion Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Fashion Career Guide.
Learn from:
Brandon Maxwell
Designer, Lady Gaga’s Stylist, Fashion Industry Essentials contributor
Related Careers:
Creative Director | Apparel Designer | Fabric Researcher | Accessories Designer | Garment Technologist | Footwear Designer | Pattern Cutter/Grader | Fashion Merchandiser | Trend Forecaster | Graphic Designer | Data Analyst | Textile Designer
