At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic fashion brand, driving growth and innovation while maintaining its unique identity.
- Company: Fast-growing, culturally relevant fashion brand based in East London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, equity options, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Hands-on role in a vibrant, founder-led environment with significant growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and shape the future of a distinctive fashion brand.
- Qualifications: Experience scaling fashion brands and strong e-commerce expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 180000 £ per year.
Location: East London (4 days office, 1 day remote)
Salary: £150,000–£180,000 + bonus (flex for an exceptional candidate)
Exec Capital is recruiting a Managing Director on behalf of a fast-growing direct-to-consumer fashion brand with a distinctive, subculture-led identity, based in East London. Our client is a profitable, fast-growing business built by its young founders and now established at scale. Revenue is split approximately 30% UK, 30% US and 40% across the rest of the world, with strong digital channels and a growing international footprint. The business is culturally relevant, profitable today, and ready for its next phase of growth.
This is not a corporate appointment. It is a hands-on Managing Director role inside a creative, founder-led business with a strong consumer following and a brand identity that has to be respected, not diluted.
We are looking for someone who has personally been there before — who has scaled a fashion or consumer brand from founder-led scale-up to mid-market scale, in the MD, GM or CCO seat.
The Opportunity
You will take full P&L ownership and run the business day to day, freeing the founders to focus on creative direction and brand. You will build the commercial discipline, operational infrastructure and senior team required to take the business through its next phase of growth — sustainably, profitably, and across the UK, US and international markets. You will be the senior business leader: partnering closely with the founders, bringing structure without corporatising the culture, and delivering against an ambitious multi-year plan.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial & Trading
- Own the full P&L and deliver against an ambitious growth plan, holding strong gross margin and EBITDA through scale
- Lead the trading rhythm, forecasting, range planning and in-season performance management
- Own digital trading, paid acquisition, CRM, retention and customer experience across the UK, US and international markets
- Identify and execute new revenue streams: international expansion, wholesale, retail, brand collaborations
- Operational Infrastructure
- Build the systems and processes the business needs to scale — stock and supply chain, fulfilment, technology, customer operations
- Lead the move from founder-led ways of working to a scalable operating model without losing what makes the brand distinctive
- Manage cash, working capital and inventory tightly through growth
- Founder Partnership
- Partner closely with the founders, freeing them to focus on creative and product
- Bring commercial structure and discipline without diluting brand DNA
- Act as sounding board, challenger and translator between the founders and the wider business
- Team & Culture
- Build and lead the senior team required to support the next stage of scale
- Hire talent that fits the culture as well as the commercial brief
- Maintain a fast, creative, ambitious working environment
Qualifications
This role will suit someone who:
- Has personally scaled a fashion, streetwear, lifestyle or culturally-driven consumer brand from founder-led scale-up to mid-market scale, in the MD, GM or CCO seat
- Has genuine international experience — particularly across UK, US and at least one further region
- Brings deep direct-to-consumer e-commerce expertise — digital trading, paid acquisition, retention, customer experience
- Has worked alongside founders before, and knows how to support and challenge creative leadership without overpowering it
- Genuinely respects subculture-led, design-led brands and understands how to build infrastructure around them rather than over them
- Is hands-on, fast, commercially sharp, and at home in a creative, founder-led environment
- Has the maturity and credibility to lead a scaling business and the personality to land with a young, design-led team
This role will not suit:
- Career corporate executives looking for a step down into a smaller business
- Operators whose experience sits primarily in luxury, premium classic, or mass market apparel
- Anyone uncomfortable in a founder-led, creatively-driven environment, or who wants to corporatise the culture
Package
- £150,000–£180,000 base salary (with flexibility above for an exceptional candidate)
- Performance bonus
- Equity participation potentially available for the right candidate
- 4 days office in East London, 1 day remote
- Senior leadership role inside a profitable, scaling, culturally relevant brand
Managing Director - Fashion in London employer: Exec Capital Recruitment
Exec Capital offers an exceptional opportunity for a Managing Director within a dynamic, founder-led fashion brand in East London. With a strong emphasis on creativity and cultural relevance, the company fosters a vibrant work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration while providing competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and potential equity participation. Employees benefit from a hands-on leadership approach, ample growth opportunities, and a flexible working arrangement that balances office presence with remote work, making it an attractive employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the fashion industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director - Fashion in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fashion industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you land that interview, let your passion for fashion shine through. Share your experiences and how they align with the brand's identity. Remember, they want someone who fits their culture, so be yourself!
✨Tip Number 3
Do your homework! Research the company’s history, values, and recent news. This will not only help you tailor your answers but also show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their journey. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director - Fashion in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for fashion and your understanding of subculture-led brands.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your experience in scaling fashion brands and your hands-on approach. We’re looking for someone who can bring structure without losing the creative essence, so make that clear!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed P&L or driven growth in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Let’s get started on this exciting journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Exec Capital Recruitment
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the brand's identity and values. Understand their subculture-led approach and how it resonates with their audience. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how you can maintain and enhance that identity as Managing Director.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you've scaled a fashion or consumer brand. Highlight your P&L management experience and how you've successfully navigated growth phases. This is your chance to demonstrate that you’ve been in the trenches and know what it takes to lead a creative team.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
Expect questions about how you would maintain the brand's unique culture while implementing operational structures. Think of ways to balance commercial discipline with creativity, and be prepared to share how you've done this in previous roles. They want someone who respects the brand's DNA without corporatising it.
✨Engage with the Founders' Vision
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for partnering with the founders. Discuss how you can support their creative direction while bringing in the necessary commercial structure. Show that you’re not just a leader but also a collaborator who can challenge ideas constructively and translate them into actionable strategies.
