Design Manager - Swim & Active


Who You Are

You are a technical and creative design & product leader with deep expertise in swimwear and performance-driven apparel. You bring mastery in fit, construction, and fabric innovation, paired with the ability to translate creative direction into exceptional product execution. You are a strong manager who builds high-performing teams, leads fit and development with clarity, and consistently delivers category-defining products.


What You’ll Do

Execute Creative Direction for Swim & Lifestyle

  • Execute seasonal concepts, silhouette development, fabric strategies, and innovation priorities aligned to the brand-led creative direction.

  • Translate customer insights and brand values into product that is functional, elevated, and unmistakably LOF.

  • Lead innovative approaches to performance materials, compression, fit, and construction unique to swim and activewear.


Lead Fit, Development & Technical Excellence

  • Oversee the full product lifecycle, from sketch through final fit approval, with clear accountability for technical execution.

  • Lead the fit & development functions for Swim & Lifestyle, ensuring consistency, quality, and performance across categories.

  • Partner with Development and Fit to refine construction, durability, technical performance, and comfort.

  • Own fit consistency standards and lead fit sessions with clear decision-making authority.


Deliver High-Performing Swimwear & Apparel

  • Ensure product meets the highest standards for quality, functionality, and brand alignment.

  • Partner with Merchandising on line architecture, pricing, and seasonal assortment strategy.

  • Champion sampling excellence, efficient approval workflows, and problem resolution.


Lead & Grow a High-Performing Team

  • Manage and coach Designers, Developers, and Fit Specialists, fostering ownership and continuous improvement.

  • Provide clear direction, process structure, and tools that enable seamless execution.

  • Develop junior talent and ensure alignment to overall design and technical strategy.


Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Partner with Production & Sourcing on fabric evaluation, performance testing, and technical troubleshooting.

  • Collaborate with Brand on storytelling to ensure swim product is represented accurately and powerfully.

  • Work with cross-functional teams to deliver on margin, quality, and go-to-market expectations.


Drive Operational and Process Excellence

  • Lead sampling strategy, calendar management, and communication workflows.

  • Continuously refine processes to improve accuracy, speed, and product consistency.

  • Ensure timelines are met and product hits margin, quality, and brand standards.


What You Bring

  • 8+ years of design experience in swimwear, performance apparel, or technical product; 3+ years directly leading teams.

  • Deep expertise in fit, development, construction, and technical fabric innovation.

  • Proven ability to scale categories and deliver iconic, high-performing product.

  • Strong partnership skills across Development, Fit, Production, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Brand.

  • A leadership style grounded in clarity, accountability, and team empowerment.

  • A portfolio showcasing exceptional technical execution and design craft.

  • Naturally collaborative, you lead through influence, not ego.


Location: Must be based in Victoria, BC

Hybrid: 3 days in office, 2 days remote

Salary band: $95,000-115,000 CAD

Reports to Director of Product


Interested?

Send your application here. Application close date is March 31, 2026.

Designed in Canada

Designed in Canada