At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global visual and material expression for Speedo's performance swim and lifestyle products.
- Company: Join Pentland Brands, a family business behind iconic active and lifestyle brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Shape the future of swimwear with innovative graphics and materials in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 8-12+ years in graphics, colour, and materials leadership; strong strategic and communication skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re Pentland Brands: a global family business behind some of the world’s most iconic active and lifestyle brands. We bring integrity, energy and ambition to our work, setting high standards and striving to deliver great outcomes without ego. With over 1,500 team members worldwide, we’re proud of our diverse, inclusive culture where everyone is encouraged to speak up, challenge thinking, create breakthroughs and collaborate openly. Our people are what set us apart, and we’re committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Reports to: SVP / Brand Director Speedo
Location: Farringdon, London
Hours: 36.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (4.30pm finish on a Friday)
The Head of Graphics, Materials and Colour Mission: As Head of Graphics, Materials & Colour at Speedo, you will define and lead the global visual and material expression of the brand across performance swim and lifestyle product.
You will own:
- Global colour strategy and seasonal palettes
- Graphic language, print direction and placement execution
- Material aesthetic expression in partnership with innovation and technical teams
This role ensures that Speedo’s products are visually distinctive, technically credible and commercially relevant, balancing creative ambition with performance functionality.
How you’ll drive success:
- Lead the development of seasonal colour architecture aligned to Speedo’s brand DNA and consumer insight
- Translate macro trends into commercially viable, performance-ready colour stories
- Oversee colour approvals, lab dips and execution standards globally
- Establish colour governance to ensure global consistency with regional nuance
Graphics & Print Leadership:
- Define and evolve Speedo’s global graphic language across all categories
- Lead seasonal print concepts, placement graphics, repeat patterns and brand graphics
- Ensure graphics enhance product performance while strengthening brand storytelling
- Drive innovation in print techniques, finishes and applications
Materials Aesthetic & Innovation Partnership:
- Partner with Materials, Innovation and Technical teams to influence fabric direction and visual/material expression
- Understand and leverage performance material constraints (chlorine resistance, stretch recovery, sublimation behaviour, durability, etc.)
- Align material aesthetics with sustainability commitments and performance standards
- Support testing and validation of colour and print performance (e.g. colour fastness, durability, print clarity)
Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Work closely with Design, Product Development, Merchandising and Brand teams to embed cohesive colour and graphic narratives
- Collaborate with sourcing and supplier partners to ensure excellence in execution
- Present seasonal direction and strategy to senior stakeholders
Team Leadership & Capability Building:
- Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing Graphics, Materials & Colour team
- Foster experimentation, innovation and commercial awareness
- Build long-term creative capability within Speedo’s global design function
What you’ll need to thrive:
- Significant experience (8–12+ years) in graphics, colour and materials leadership within performance sport, swimwear or technical apparel
- Deep understanding of textile behaviour, printing methods, dye processes and material innovation
- Strong strategic capability in building seasonal colour and graphic direction at global scale
- Proven ability to balance creative vision with technical and commercial realities
- Experience operating in a matrix, cross-functional global organisation
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder influence skills
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; experience with 3D design tools (e.g. CLO) and PLM systems advantageous
- A strong eye for detail combined with strategic thinking
Alongside a competitive salary and discretionary bonus, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, flexibility, and life outside work. This includes generous holiday allowance with the option to buy more, hybrid and flexible working, enhanced family leave, pension and financial protection, wellbeing support, travel schemes, and generous discounts across Pentland Brands and selected retail partners.
The Interview Process: We want our interview process to feel clear, straightforward, and supportive. If your experience and expectations look like a strong match for the role, here’s what you can expect next:
- Talent Team Intro Call - A 30-minute video call with our Talent Team to get to know each other, talk through the role and your experience, and answer any questions you have.
- Experience Interview - A more in-depth interview (usually online) with the hiring manager to explore your skills, experience and approach, and how these align with the role, our principles, and our ways of working.
- Final Interview - A final in-person interview at our office, focused on deeper discussion and practical application, giving you the chance to meet more of the team and see Pentland Brands in action.
Head of Materials, Graphics and Colour in London employer: Pentland Brands
Contact Detail:
Pentland Brands Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Materials, Graphics and Colour in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Pentland Brands and Speedo, their values, and their products. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role at Speedo. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Graphics, Materials & Colour. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've led colour strategies or innovative graphic designs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Pentland family!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Materials, Graphics and Colour in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for graphics, materials, and colour shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with Speedo's brand DNA and your vision for the role.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in performance sport or technical apparel. We’re looking for someone who can balance creative ambition with technical know-how, so be specific about your achievements in these areas.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on how your skills and experiences directly relate to the role of Head of Graphics, Materials, and Colour.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Pentland Brands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pentland Brands
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of graphics, materials, and colour strategies, especially in the context of performance swimwear. Brush up on the latest trends and innovations in textile behaviour and printing methods, as this will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss your previous projects where you balanced creative ambition with technical functionality. Bring along a portfolio that highlights your best work in seasonal colour architecture and graphic language, as this will help you stand out.
✨Understand the Brand
Familiarise yourself with Speedo’s brand DNA and consumer insights. Be ready to discuss how you would translate macro trends into commercially viable colour stories that align with their vision, demonstrating your strategic thinking.
✨Engage with the Team
During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you would lead and mentor a high-performing team. Share your thoughts on fostering innovation and collaboration across cross-functional teams, as this aligns with their inclusive culture.