Company Description

Overview

SPANX isn’t your average company. We revolutionized an industry by challenging the status quo and putting the customer first. You might know the story: our founder, Sara Blakely, who needed the right thing as a base layer to feel 100% in white pants, so she cut the legs off a pair of tights and Spanx was born. The spark of that origin is the fuel for our future. We grew up in shapewear. But we’ve graduated. For 25 years (yep, we're old enough to rent a car now), we've been experimenting, innovating, and occasionally banging our heads against the drawing board. And we will never stop obsessing about what women who are out there doing their thing deserve. Because we are those women. And we’re honored to create on behalf of us all.

We make elevated essentials with confidence built in. Essentials for layering underneath or wearing out loud, for “just-between-us” and “where'd you get that?” For everything you've got planned (and don't). Because what you put on can change how you show up. And if its' not working for you, it's got no place in your closet. Or on your body. Creating items that’ll make you feel great is a matter of the heart—and the lab. In every Spanx product is technology we design and build to highlight, complement, and form your look, just the way you like it. SPANX design and technology help make sure what you see in the mirror reflects that feeling of feeling your best (you know the feeling?). We are a high-growth, innovative and ambitious company and we are embarking on an exciting trajectory of both digital and international expansion.

About the role

The Director, Advanced Concepts is a newly created, future-forward position for Spanx. This role is responsible for driving design and development projects 6–9 months ahead of our mainline seasonal calendar. Sitting at the intersection of design, innovation, and strategy, this individual is equal parts designer, builder, entrepreneur, and artist.
Reporting directly to the VP of Design, Active & Advanced Concepts and working in close collaboration with the Chief Design Officer, this individual plays a critical role in shaping the next evolution of our Active and Lounge businesses—creating high-impact concepts that blend commercial viability with equitable technologies and builds.

This role is based in our Atlanta headquarters, requires weekly in-office work Tuesday-Thursday, and reports to the VP of Design, Active & Advanced Concepts.

Job Description

You’ll Love This Role because:

• A visionary designer with impeccable taste, deep enterprise in 3D-forward design tools, and the ability to translate high-level direction into beautiful, boundary-pushing product concepts.
• A builder who is obsessed with craft, construction, and the “how & why” behind every product—hands-on with sketching, tech packs, iterative prototyping, and 3D development as a core part of the innovation process.
• A raw material scientist at heart—someone who finds beauty in the science of fabric and fiber, and is energized by building entirely new material platforms to support the future of product.
• An entrepreneur by nature—scrappy, resourceful, and eager to co-create and scale a new function within the business.
• An artist who breathes fashion, lives for storytelling, and is passionate about designing world-class product that solves real, female-focused problems with empathy and creativity.

Creative Vision & Concept Development

• Bring the strategic pillars of the Advanced Concepts roadmap to life through future-focused, seasonal design concepts.
• Lead the timely development of briefs, prototypes, and commercial-ready product that support 6–9-month timing initiatives.
• Develop equitable, forward-looking ideas that deepen our long-term product pipeline and reinforce Spanx’s brand equity.
• Champion cutting-edge innovation and elevated aesthetic, striking the right balance between commercial relevance and creative beauty.
• Think beyond categories—pushing boundaries across materials, techniques, and form to deliver holistic, cross-functional solutions.
• Utilize 3D prototyping to accelerate iteration, visualize innovation frameworks, and bring complex concepts to life faster and with precision.
• Lead raw material exploration and innovation—developing new fabrications and technologies from the ground up to support future advancements in the material space.

Hands-On Design Execution

• Lead sketching, concept building, and creation of tech packs, and digital files.
• Own iterative prototyping in partnership with factories, technical design teams, and product managers.
• Communicate aesthetic direction and build intent clearly and effectively through all stages.
• Leverage 3D tools and visual storytelling where appropriate.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Program Leadership

• Map and manage project scopes and timelines across multiple advanced concept initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Merchandising, Technical Design, R&D, Product Development, and Strategy to bring projects to life.
• Proactively ensure alignment, clarity, and energy across teams.
• Operate as the “glue” across functions, maintaining momentum on vision and execution.

Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking

• Embrace a test-and-learn approach to product development—comfortable with iteration and failure in the name of breakthrough ideas.
• Balance deep creative focus with strong time management and an ability to juggle multiple builds at once.
• Champion the role of Advanced Concepts in scaling the business into its next phase.
• Be a cultural leader: optimistic, grounded, self-directed, and energized by creating something new from the ground up.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in Activewear, Performance, Athleisure, or another technical category.
• Proven track record in concept development, innovation, and aesthetic leadership.
• Strong sketching, Adobe Creative Suite, XD, and PLM proficiency; experience with 3D design tools is a plus.
• Deep understanding of construction, materials, and product development processes.
• Experience building and scaling product concepts from ideation through prototype.
• Excellent communicator, self-starter, and team collaborator.
• Willingness and ability to travel between Atlanta, New York, trend shows, and factories as needed.

Additional Information

Spanx is proud of our continued Progressive People Practices…

• Company Healthcare Plan: $0.00 out of pocket (Employee only benefit)
  Fertility testing and treatment are included in Spanx’s medical plans, even without the diagnosis of infertility.
• Parental Leave Policy: Primary caregiver receives 16 weeks AND will have the option to work a half-time schedule (20 hours per week) for up to four additional weeks with full-time (40 hours per week) pay.
• Mental Health Days: 10 days
• 401K: Matched up to 4% with immediate vesting.
• PTO & Company Holidays: PLUS two full weeks of companywide closures (one in the Summer; one between Christmas and NYE)
• Flex Friday: Year-round half day Fridays!

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.