Sr. Design Manager
REPORTS TO VP, Product Strategy & Visual Merchandising
LOCATION Glendale Headquarters
FLSA STATUS Exempt (SALARY: UP TO 125k)
POSITION OVERVIEW
Tacori is seeking a senior, hands-on Sr. Design Manager to develop original bridal, fashion fine jewelry, and gents' designs and manage their execution from concept through manufacturing handoff. Working under the Head of Design's creative direction and approved collection briefs, this role brings multiple concepts to life at once: commercial designs built to sell through at our retail partners, and statement pieces that build brand awareness and define what a Tacori looks like.
The role combines a refined design eye, an established point of view on style, and current knowledge of emerging trends with advanced CAD modeling, detailed technical documentation, and practical construction solutions. It operates independently as a seasoned design leader. The Sr. Design Manager coordinates daily design workflow and works closely with Product Development, Merchandising, Marketing, and manufacturing partners to deliver on-brand, manufacturable designs within established cost targets and timelines.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Creative Vision & Concept Development
- Bring a strong, refined point of view on luxury jewelry: proportion, line, stone play, and finish. Know instinctively what makes a piece unmistakably Tacori.
- Forecast current and emerging trends across fashion, culture, and fine jewelry, and apply that insight to collections ahead of the market, within assigned assortment priorities, price points, and cost targets.
- Develop multiple concepts in parallel for each brief, from commercial core styles and line extensions to elevated, story-led pieces, and carry the strongest from first sketch through finished product.
- Balance two goals in every collection: commercial designs that hit price points and sell through at retail, and brand-awareness pieces built for campaigns, editorial, talent and red-carpet moments, events, and social content.
- Develop original concepts, hand sketches, renderings, and design boards for new styles, line extensions, and capsule collections based on approved briefs and Tacori's brand DNA.
- Translate creative direction into refined proportions, stone arrangements, crescent details, and metalwork; present design options and incorporate feedback from the Head of Design.
- Partner with Marketing and Creative so key designs arrive with the story, renders, and visuals needed to launch them.
- Research culture and competitive products to inform assigned projects.
CAD & Manufacturing-Ready Technical Packages
- Personally create and revise accurate 3D CAD models in Rhinoceros, Matrix, or equivalent software for prototyping, casting, and production.
- Prepare complete manufacturing handoff packages with dimensioned 2D drawings, sections and detail views, production-ready 3D files, and specifications for metals, estimated weights, stone counts and sizes, settings, finishes, and assembly.
- Build in appropriate wall thicknesses, prong dimensions, stone seats, clearances, tolerances, and casting allowances in consultation with manufacturing partners; verify file integrity and export formats required by each supplier.
- Develop technical solutions for settings, galleries, connections, clasps, hinges, and other mechanisms as applicable, balancing design intent with durability, comfort, finishing access, and manufacturability.
Development Management & Technical Problem Solving
- Manage multiple projects at once through concept, CAD, prototype, sample review, and approved manufacturing handoff; maintain schedules, priorities, and revision records.
- Coordinate daily deliverables with CAD contributors and manufacturing partners; provide technical and creative guidance, mentor the team, and review work for accuracy and consistency.
- Review prototypes and samples against approved designs and specifications. Resolve fit, stone-setting, casting, assembly, and finishing issues through documented CAD and specification revisions.
- Work with Product Development to confirm feasibility and cost estimates; recommend design adjustments that meet established targets while preserving the approved aesthetic.
- Communicate directly with manufacturers to answer technical questions and close open issues. Submit final files for required internal approval before release and escalate changes affecting creative direction, cost, quality, or delivery.
- Maintain organized design archives, version-controlled CAD files, technical packs, sample comments, and approval records.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Experience & Education
- 7 to 10 years of fine jewelry design and development experience, including leading projects, technical execution, and manufacturing handoffs; bridal experience strongly preferred.
- Prior experience in a Sr. Design Manager, Design Director, or equivalent senior design leadership role, with the ability to work independently from day one and no training needed on core design, CAD, or manufacturing work.
- Exceptional creative taste, a strong and established point of view, and deep knowledge of style, with a proven eye for luxury jewelry aesthetics: proportion, detail, and finish.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current and upcoming fashion and jewelry trends, with a track record of translating them into successful collections.
- A track record of bringing multiple concepts to market, including commercially successful collections and high-visibility pieces that built brand awareness.
- Strong concept development, hand-sketching, and rendering skills.
- Advanced hands-on proficiency in Rhinoceros, Matrix, or equivalent jewelry CAD software, including production modeling, file validation, and manufacturer-ready exports.
- Working knowledge of stone-setting, casting, metal fabrication, assembly, polishing, and finishing; demonstrated ability to solve jewelry construction and manufacturing problems.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for product illustrations, design presentations, and technical packages.
- Portfolio showing original concepts, sketches, CAD models, technical drawings, and finished commercial and statement products, with clear examples of creative range and technical problem solving.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate contributors, communicate precise supplier instructions, and deliver to seasonal deadlines.
- BFA or degree in jewelry design, metalsmithing, industrial design, or equivalent professional experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with a branded bridal or fine jewelry house, and mentoring designers or CAD specialists.
- Experience designing for campaigns, collaborations, talent, or red-carpet placements.
- Gemology education, GIA coursework, or certification; experience developing functional jewelry mechanisms.
