At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of trendy womenswear ranges that embody a youthful spirit.
- Company: Join M&S, a forward-thinking brand with a focus on creativity and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fashion while inspiring teams and shaping trends.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-product design and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
As a Senior Designer for Per Una, you'll play a key role in shaping and delivering the creative vision for one of M&S's most distinctive womenswear brands. Per Una embodies a youthful spirit and effortless desirability, expressed through a modern boho aesthetic, artisanal craft, fluid silhouettes, textured detail and confident femininity. Working across multiple product categories, you'll lead the creation of commercially strong, trend-led ranges that feel expressive, customer-focused and true to the Per Una identity. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, agile and commercially minded designer with strong taste level, multi-product experience and the confidence to inspire teams, influence stakeholders and bring fresh ideas to life at pace.
What you'll do
- Lead the design and development of multi-product womenswear ranges, ensuring a strong and consistent handwriting across categories.
- Use customer insight, trade performance and sales information to shape commercially relevant ranges and support strong range architecture.
- Bring a high taste level and refined eye for colour, fabric, proportion, detail and finish to deliver distinctive, desirable product.
- Manage, coach and develop design team members, providing clear direction and supporting creative and commercial growth.
- Work closely with suppliers and sourcing partners, including through supplier travel where required, to develop product in line with brand, quality, cost and customer expectations.
Who you are
- Multi-product design expertise, able to design across a broad product range with strong creative judgement.
- People leadership and line management, experienced in coaching, developing and managing design talent.
- High taste level and strong creative eye, refined understanding of style, colour, fabric, proportion and detail.
- Customer focus, able to translate customer insight, lifestyle shifts and market awareness into relevant product opportunities.
- Commercial range understanding, confident using trade and sales information to inform range architecture and support commercial decision-making.
- Expert-level CAD skills: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
What's in it for you?
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you've completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone's welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We are disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We are transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
Senior Designer Womenswear employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly within the Corporate HR technology team. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and benefits. Working in a dynamic location, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects that enhance the colleague experience throughout their journey with the company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Designer Womenswear
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like Marks and Spencer!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including Marks and Spencer.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for Marks and Spencer.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at Marks and Spencer!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Designer Womenswear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at Marks and Spencer.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to Marks and Spencer!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at Marks and Spencer. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
