Senior Girls Footwear Designer in London

Our Design Team delivers stand-out, affordable fashion with the unique style and touches that underpin River Island’s handwriting. As a Senior Designer you’ll lead the direction for your categories and be accountable for the full development cycle of products for inclusion in the final ranges. You will be a subject‑matter expert in driving design excellence, delivering complex and standout pieces within the range. Your market, industry and commercial awareness will ensure the delivery of designs that represent key trends, drive commercial results and present a balanced overall range for our customers.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver excellence in product design, from concept to completion, representing 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.
• Lead and shape product development discussions that address key trends and opportunities.
• Identify and realise new product and design opportunities aligned to our overall product strategy.
• Incorporate sustainable practices in design, development and production to deliver on our sustainability commitments.
• Understand sales history, sales and margin targets and range plans across your own area of accountability and across all divisions.
• Through strong relationships and collaboration with suppliers, identify and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing.
• Support new design talent through mentoring and developing all team members.
• Provide direction to designers and assistant designers, managing their workload to ensure they contribute effectively to the design process.
• Grow talent within the design team, identifying readiness for the next role, providing learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring.

Key Experience Required

• Substantial previous experience as an established designer or equivalent.
• Qualifications or studies relevant to design.
• 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.
• Excellent product development skills.
• Excellent technical and creative design skills.
• Strong organisational skills, intentional with time and focus.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Excellent mentoring and development skills.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Strong interpersonal effectiveness and collaboration skills.
• Self‑starter, forward‑thinking, innovative.
• Change champion with a curious, continuous learning mindset.
• Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change.
• Passion for the River Island brand and customer.
• Disciplined and conscientious, results‑oriented.

Employee Benefits

• Generous staff discount.
• Retail Trust benefits, financial advice and wellbeing solutions.
• On‑site gym, subsidised restaurant and café.
• Support for various family setups including maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment.
• Flexible working, including early Friday finish.
• Giving programme with matched funding.
• Upskilling through on‑the‑job training and qualifications.
• Generous bonus scheme and private pension plan.
• Option to opt‑in for healthcare through AXA.
• Commute allowance.
• 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional days twice a year.

Safeguarding and Equality

At River Island we are committed to safeguarding all employees, regardless of age or role. We fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty and promote British Values. Our community is diverse, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.