At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Softs Team in designing seasonal clothing collections that embody ME+EM's luxury brand.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest-growing luxury fashion brands with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, birthday off, and generous staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make your mark in luxury fashion while mentoring a creative team.
- Qualifications: Proven expertise in softs design, especially dresses, with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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.
- 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.
- 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 Softs in London employer: ME+EM Ltd
Contact Detail:
ME+EM Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Softs 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 portfolio! When you land that interview, bring your A-game by showcasing your best designs. Make sure it reflects your unique style and understanding of trends. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can contribute to ME+EM’s vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching ME+EM thoroughly. Understand our brand DNA, recent collections, and what sets us apart in the luxury fashion market. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with our goals and values.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and appreciate the opportunity to chat with the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Softs in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for fashion and design shine through! We want to see your enthusiasm for the ME+EM brand and how you can contribute to our creative vision.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Softs role. Highlight your experience in softs design, especially with dresses, and showcase your leadership skills. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team and inspire creativity!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. Remember, we’re busy, so make it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect 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 you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ME+EM Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into ME+EM's brand DNA and recent collections. Familiarise yourself with their design philosophy, especially around softs and dresses. This will help you speak confidently about how your vision aligns with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Softs, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully mentored designers or managed creative teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and maintain a positive studio culture.
✨Be Trend-Savvy
Stay updated on current fashion trends, catwalks, and competitor designs. Be ready to discuss how you can translate these insights into ME+EM's collections. Showing that you can balance aspirational design with commercial viability will impress the interviewers.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, upcoming collections, and how ME+EM supports its designers. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.