Head of Design

Head of Design

York Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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MacGregor Black

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead creative direction and design strategy for a global sporting goods brand.
  • Company: Join a dynamic global sporting goods brand in London.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to shape brand identity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on product design and brand growth.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in consumer product design and proven leadership experience.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and team culture.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

Are you a strategic and hands-on design leader with a passion for building product that blends performance, innovation, and culture? Do you know how to embed brand DNA into every stitch, panel, and silhouette? Can you lead a multidisciplinary creative team while driving commercial impact and long-term brand growth?

MacGregor Black is currently partnering with a global sporting goods brand on the search for a Head of Design, based in London. This is a senior leadership role responsible for owning the creative direction and product identity across global markets. You'll join the Brand Leadership Team and shape design across all categories, balancing core technical performance product with the growth of lifestyle and innovation-focused collections.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the creative direction of the brand, defining and evolving a design language that reflects the brand’s heritage, ambition, and consumer focus.
  • Codify brand DNA across the product range, creating consistency and distinction across categories, consumer types, and price points.
  • Drive storytelling and design strategy across all global product ranges, partnering closely with Product, Merchandising, Innovation, and Marketing teams.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team of designers, fostering a culture of collaboration, creative excellence, and accountability.
  • Balance commercial awareness with creative ambition, identifying high-impact NPD and innovation-led design opportunities.
  • Ensure the product design process is efficient, insight-led, and aligned to business timelines and seasonal strategies.
  • Champion cross-functional collaboration to ensure cohesive go-to-market plans and long-term brand equity.
  • Contribute to strategic planning, transformation initiatives, and global brand growth.
What We’re Looking For:
  • 10+ years in consumer product design, ideally within performance apparel.
  • Proven leadership of multidisciplinary creative teams across apparel, brand, and graphics.
  • Strong knowledge of the full design lifecycle including research, ideation, testing, and execution.
  • Confident strategic thinker with the ability to translate brand ambition into product.
  • Excellent communication, storytelling, and presentation skills.
  • Experience aligning design vision with commercial goals and cross-functional priorities.
  • Comfortable managing resource planning, budgeting, and creative operations.
  • Empathetic, empowering leadership style with a drive for high standards and strong team culture.

Please contact Tom Honeyman for more details today.

Head of Design employer: MacGregor Black

As a global sporting goods brand based in London, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and innovation. Our employees enjoy exceptional growth opportunities, working alongside a talented team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design while maintaining a strong focus on performance and brand identity. Join us to be part of a collaborative environment where your contributions directly impact our mission and vision, making every day at work meaningful and rewarding.
MacGregor Black

Contact Detail:

MacGregor Black Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Design

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and showcases your best work. When you’re in interviews, be ready to discuss your design process and how you’ve led teams to success. We want to see your creative journey!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you would lead a multidisciplinary team or drive commercial impact. We suggest practising your storytelling skills to convey your vision and experience effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you on board!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design

Creative Direction
Product Identity
Design Language Development
Brand DNA Codification
Storytelling
Design Strategy
Team Leadership
Collaboration
Commercial Awareness
New Product Development (NPD)
Design Lifecycle Knowledge
Strategic Thinking
Communication Skills
Resource Planning
Budget Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for design shine through! We want to see how you blend performance, innovation, and culture in your work. Share specific examples that highlight your creative journey and how it aligns with our brand's DNA.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the Head of Design role. We love seeing candidates who understand our brand and can articulate how their experience fits into our vision. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've driven commercial impact in previous roles.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary to showcase your achievements and skills, making it easier for us to see why you're a great fit!

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at MacGregor Black

✨Know Your Brand Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the brand's history, values, and current product lines. Understand how their design language reflects their heritage and ambition. This will help you articulate how your vision aligns with theirs.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples that highlight your experience leading multidisciplinary teams. Discuss how you've fostered collaboration and accountability in past roles. Be ready to share specific instances where your leadership directly contributed to a project's success.

✨Balance Creativity with Commercial Insight

Think about how you've successfully merged creative ambition with commercial goals in your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss high-impact design opportunities you've identified and how they drove brand growth.

✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration Questions

Expect questions about how you work with other departments like Product, Merchandising, and Marketing. Have examples ready that demonstrate your ability to champion collaboration and ensure cohesive go-to-market strategies.

Head of Design
MacGregor Black
Location: York
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