At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Softs Team to create 14 seasonal clothing collections each year.
- Company: Join ME+EM, a fast-growing luxury fashion brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, competitive salary, and a fun work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in luxury fashion while mentoring a creative team.
- Qualifications: Proven expertise in softs design and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative and inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ 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)
Head Of Softs in England employer: Me+Em
Contact Detail:
Me+Em Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head Of Softs in England
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fashion industry. Attend events, join online forums, and donβt be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
β¨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you land that interview, bring your A-game by showcasing your best work. Make sure it reflects your unique style and understanding of the ME+EM brand. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can contribute to our creative vision.
β¨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. This will help you tailor your answers and show us youβre genuinely passionate about joining our team.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows youβre enthusiastic about the role and appreciate the opportunity to chat with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Softs in England
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for fashion and design shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the role and the brand, so donβt hold back on sharing your enthusiasm!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for the Head of Softs position. Highlight your experience in softs design, especially with dresses, and showcase any leadership roles you've had. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for ME+EM. Use it to explain how your skills and experiences relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be personal and engaging β we want to get to know you!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for the role. Plus, it shows youβre keen to be part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Me+Em
β¨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.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've fostered collaboration. ME+EM values strong leadership, so demonstrating your ability to inspire and guide others will set you apart.
β¨Be Trend-Savvy
Stay updated on current fashion trends, catwalks, and street style. Be ready to discuss how these influences can translate into ME+EM's collections. Showing that you can spot opportunities and adapt trends to fit the brand will impress the interviewers.
β¨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and constructively. Since the role involves collaboration across departments, showcasing your communication skills will be crucial. Prepare to discuss how youβve navigated challenges in a fast-paced environment while maintaining open lines of communication.