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- Tasks: Lead the design of standout footwear, from concept to completion, ensuring trend alignment.
- Company: Join River Island, a beloved brand with a vibrant and diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 50% staff discount, flexible working, and a free onsite gym.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while mentoring new talent in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven design experience and a strong portfolio are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and continuous learning await you.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Department: Womenswear
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Head Office, Chelsea House
Reporting To: Tara Holt
Description
Our Design Team deliver stand-out, affordable fashion with the unique style and touches that underpin the River Island handwriting. As a Senior Designer you’ll take a lead in setting the direction for your categories, and will be accountable for full development cycle of products for inclusion in the final ranges. As a true subject matter expert in driving design excellence, delivering complex and stand out pieces within the range. Your outstanding market, industry and commercial awareness will ensure delivery of design that represent key trends and drive commercial results, and presentation of a balanced overall range for our customer.
Key Accountabilities
- Deliver excellence in product design, from concept to completion, that represents key trends and commercial opportunities, and create a balanced range for your category.
- Through strong understanding of fabric, engineering, fit and quality, produce designs to a high technical standard, and excellent first sample hit rate, for the level of the market.
- Through outstanding broad market and customer awareness and research, and a thorough understanding of the River Island brand, lead and shape Product Development discussions that address key trends and opportunities.
- In developing broad industry and competitor awareness, identify and realise new product and design opportunities aligned to our overall Product strategy.
- At all stages, incorporate an understanding of sustainable practices in design, development and production to deliver on our sustainability commitments, and role model this to the whole Design team.
- Understand sales history, sales and margin targets and range plans across both your own area of accountability and more broadly across all divisions to ensure designs are aligned to deliver on commercial opportunities.
- Through strong relationships and collaboration with suppliers, fabric mills, Fabric Sourcing and Buying counterparts, identify and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing.
- Support new Design Talent through mentoring and developing all team members, creating learning opportunities and fostering inclusion and diversity of opinion.
- Provide direction to Designers and Assistant Designers, managing their workload to ensure they contribute effectively to the design process.
- Grows talent within the Design team, identifying readiness for next role, providing learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring in a timely way to enable everyone to realise their individual potential.
Key Experience Required
- Substantial previous experience as an established Designer or equivalent is essential.
- Qualifications or studies relevant to Design are essential.
- Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work.
- Track record of successfully mentoring and developing others.
- Excellent network in the market and industry.
Job Role Competencies
- Advanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential.
- Excellent Product Development skills.
- Excellent technical and creative design skills.
- Strong organisation skills, intentional with time and focus.
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Excellent mentoring and development skills.
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Strong interpersonal effectiveness and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management.
- Builds strong, genuine relationships with peers, highly collaborative approach.
- Self-starter.
- Forward-thinking, innovative.
- Change champion with a curious, continuous learning mindset.
- Tenacious and resilient and adaptable to change.
- Passion for the RI brand and customer.
- Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented.
About Us
We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts. This role is based at our Head Office in West London.
What we can offer you
- Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
- Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
- A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & cafe to fill your needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
- Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
- Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
- Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
- Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
- A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
- The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
- An allowance supporting your commute to work.
- 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of bank holidays.
Senior Footwear Designer in London employer: River Island Clothing Co., Ltd.
Contact Detail:
River Island Clothing Co., Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Footwear Designer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and engage with fellow creatives on social media. 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! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it along and be ready to discuss your design process and inspirations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its latest collections. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their brand. This shows you’re not just interested in any job, but specifically in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Don’t miss out on that opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Footwear Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio: Make sure to include a strong portfolio showcasing your design work. We want to see your creativity and technical skills in action, so pick pieces that really highlight your style and expertise.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect how your experience aligns with our needs at River Island. We love seeing candidates who understand our brand and can contribute to our unique style.
Highlight Your Mentoring Skills: As a Senior Designer, mentoring is key! Share examples of how you've supported and developed others in your previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can grow talent within our team, so let us know how you’ve done this before.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the River Island family!
How to prepare for a job interview at River Island Clothing Co., Ltd.
✨Know Your Design Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of your portfolio. Be ready to discuss your design process, the materials you used, and how your work aligns with current trends. This will show your passion and expertise in footwear design.
✨Research River Island's Aesthetic
Dive deep into River Island's brand identity and recent collections. Understand their unique style and how your design philosophy can complement it. This knowledge will help you articulate how you can contribute to their vision during the interview.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your technical skills, especially in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Brush up on your product development knowledge and be ready to discuss how you ensure high-quality designs and first sample hit rates.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
As a Senior Designer, you'll be expected to mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully developed talent in previous roles. Highlight your approach to fostering inclusion and diversity within a team, as this aligns with River Island's values.