At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design team to create stunning seasonal clothing collections that embody our brand's essence.
- Company: Join ME+EM, a fast-growing luxury fashion brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of annual leave, birthday off, and generous staff discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make your mark in luxury fashion while collaborating with passionate creatives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in softs design, especially dresses, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Reporting to: Design Director
Location: London
Contract Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
About Us: ME+EM is one of the UK’s fastest-growing luxury fashion brands. In addition to a thriving global digital presence, we operate flagship stores in London and Edinburgh, concessions within Harrods and Selfridges, and have recently expanded with new store openings in the U.S. At ME+EM we are an entrepreneurial, creative, and passionate group of people. We work hard, are enthusiastic to learn and are not afraid to take risks. Everyone contributes to our success at all levels, and that precisely what makes being a member of the team so rewarding. Our office and stores are always busy and fast paced, but we work just as hard to make sure it’s fun, with social activities and biannual parties. We pride ourselves on being approachable, supportive, and welcoming and ensure that everyone’s hard work is rewarded. It takes all these things to build a strong, successful business and our door is always open to new talent ready to contribute to our growth and evolution.
About the Role: In collaboration with the Design Director, the Head of Softs leads the Softs Team in creating 14 seasonal clothing collections each year. You’ll design original, high-quality products that capture ME+EM’s DNA, reflect emerging trends, and hit delivery deadlines and margin targets maximizing sales potential.
Responsibilities:
- Design Leadership: Champion the Me+Em brand positioning and strategy across the Softs Team. Lead by example, mentoring designers to deliver on the brand’s outfit-building metric and the 4 F’s framework. Directly design and fill gaps in softs products, with a focus on dresses, using your deep knowledge of fit, fabric, and trends. Collaborate with the Design Director to incorporate founder feedback, build seasonal concepts, mood boards, and colour palettes. Guide print, fabric, and trim selection, balancing aspirational design with commercial viability. Ensure luxury-level attention to detail, quality, and fit across all designs. Monitor catwalks, street style, and competitor trends, translating inspiration into Me+Em-relevant designs.
- Collection & Range Management: Own the design critical path, keeping the team on track with deadlines. Support the Design Director in running concurrent seasons and mentoring designers throughout the process. Influence collection decisions to maintain forward-looking, best-in-class seasonal ranges. Identify duplication, spot opportunities, and contribute to proto and range build meetings. Monitor sales and best sellers to inform new collections. Use deep expertise in fabrics, trims, and fit to support sourcing, development, and quality standards. Build collaborative relationships with Heads of other departments to ensure seamless product execution.
- Team Leadership & Collaboration: Mentor and develop direct reports, implementing succession and development plans. Manage workload and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment, anticipating potential issues. Communicate clearly and constructively with teams and senior leadership. Lead by example with a self-motivated, collaborative, and solutions-focused attitude. Support an inclusive, open-minded, and respectful studio culture aligned with Me+Em values.
Skills & Experience:
- Proven expertise in softs design, especially dresses, with a strong eye for detail, fit, and quality.
- Deep understanding of fashion trends, catwalks, street style, and competitor landscape.
- Strong leadership skills, with experience mentoring designers and managing creative teams.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities in a multi-deadline environment.
- Outstanding communication and influencing skills across all levels of the business.
- Commercially aware, able to balance aspirational design with margin and delivery targets.
- Collaborative mindset, able to build relationships across creative and product teams.
- Passionate about luxury design, brand DNA, and delivering exceptional product to customers.
Employee Benefits:
- 33 days annual leave for full time employees (25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays)
- A day off to celebrate your birthday.
- Pension Scheme
- Group Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Length of Service Award
- Refer a Friend Scheme
- Staff uniform for retail employees
- Generous Staff and Friends and Family Discount
- Annual Volunteer Day
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Tech Scheme
- Eye Care Vouchers
- Real Living Wage Employer
- Employee led committees
- Social events and biannual parties
- Enhanced maternity and paternity package after 2 years of service.
ME+EM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion in our workforce. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we do not discriminate against applicants based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that diversity enriches our workforce and strengthens our organisation. Therefore, we encourage minorities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply for opportunities within our company.
Please note, due to the large number of applications we receive, we can only reply to those that are successful to the next stage.
Head of Design in London employer: ME+EM Ltd
At ME+EM, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, a supportive environment for professional growth, and exciting social events, our London location is perfect for those looking to thrive in the luxury fashion industry while contributing to a passionate team dedicated to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design 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 or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you land that interview, make sure to bring a killer portfolio that showcases your best work. Tailor it to highlight designs that align with ME+EM’s style and ethos. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can contribute to their brand!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching ME+EM thoroughly. Understand their collections, brand values, and recent trends. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for design and fashion shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the role and how you can contribute to our creative team at ME+EM.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Design position. Highlight your experience in softs design, especially dresses, and showcase your leadership skills. We love seeing how your background aligns with our brand's DNA!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for ME+EM. Share specific examples of your design work and how you've led teams in the past. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to get to know you!
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 you’re keen on joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ME+EM Ltd
✨Know Your Design DNA
Before the interview, dive deep into ME+EM's brand identity and design philosophy. Familiarise yourself with their past collections, especially focusing on dresses, as this role is all about softs design. Being able to articulate how your vision aligns with their brand will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As the Head of Design, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully mentored designers in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you guided your team through them. This will demonstrate your leadership skills and your ability to foster a collaborative environment.
✨Bring Your Trend Insights
Stay updated on current fashion trends, catwalks, and street style. Be ready to discuss how these trends can be translated into ME+EM's collections. Showing that you can spot opportunities and adapt designs to meet market demands will highlight your commercial awareness and creativity.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about how you would work with other departments, like sourcing and marketing. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across teams to achieve a common goal. This will illustrate your ability to build relationships and ensure seamless product execution, which is crucial for this role.
