Head of Design (Accessorize)

We are looking for a Head of Design to join our Accessorize team to drive the strategy and vision for the brand. You will create and lead innovative design and bring a creativity that drives the product and brand forward whilst maintaining the brand DNA. Leading the Design team, you will ensure that all Design activities are conducted in line with the critical path ensuring that the season can be planned ahead and a coordinated collection is available to Buyers on agreed dates.

What will you do as our Head of Design?

• Critical Path Management Planning and Design: Support Buying Director to identify a commercially viable range. Focusing on trend, newness & colour/print direction whilst maintaining brand identity and customer focus. Create the concept and direction for new seasons trends, set macro trends and colour palettes for the business. Overview and influence departmental specific trends ensuring that they sit with the overall brand direction. Lead the wider design team with this vision and communicate to the business. Lead and manage planning of design inspiration trips, ensuring teams are briefed on themes and trends.
• Range Building: Ensure that any designs and samples are created in line with category strategy (price and product architecture, sourcing packs, product briefs etc.) through the Development Trip. Lead overall design team to ensure the complete range sits in line with the macro trends set and sits cohesively together. Oversee the production of all specs, designs and product briefs and making sure that they are communicated to suppliers on time.
• People and Talent Management: Lead and manage the Design team to be a high performing team who are delivering against the brand strategy and company goals.
• Budget Management: Set department budgets for the year and ensuring that the department delivers to commercial KPIs, including those related to managing costs. Co-ordinate, brief or manage freelance designer budgets.

We would love to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Previous experience in a senior Design role with proven experience of delivering multi-product accessories with an appreciation of print/textile and embellishment design.
• Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of multi category accessories including clothing areas.
• Passionate about design and driven by the desire to deliver a fabulous range proposition which is beautifully designed in line with our customer profile whilst hitting the right commercial notes.
• Experience of managing a large team, overseeing product direction, identifying new opportunities, and managing sign offs and working cross functionally.

What will we offer you in return?

• Competitive salary with the ability to participate in the Company bonus scheme.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Bonus day off each year after 6 months service.
• A pension that you will automatically be enrolled in after 3 months.
• Private Healthcare.
• Life assurance (subject to participating in the pension scheme).
• A flexible working approach.
• Early pay day Friday finish.
• A generous staff discount with up to 50% discount on our products.
• Access to our employment assistance benefits which include healthcare and wellbeing support programs.
• Interest free season ticket loans.
• Discounted gym membership at our on-campus gym.
• A range of optional benefits and discounts through our employee benefits portal.

If this all sounds great and you feel you are who we are looking for, let us know and apply today including a link or copy of your portfolio.

At Monsoon Accessorize we don’t focus only on what we do, we also care about how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and an environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people and are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will also consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. We provide reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at careers@monsoon.co.uk to request discuss any specific requirements.