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- Tasks: Lead the design team from concept to finished product, ensuring innovative collections.
- Company: Russell & Bromley is a luxury footwear and accessories brand with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options and be part of an exciting growth phase.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team at a pivotal moment in the brand's evolution.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years of design experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Travel to factories and trade fairs may be necessary.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location | Head Office, Kingly St, London
Workplace Type | Hybrid (2 Days WFH)
Contract | Full Time
We’re looking for an experienced Head of Design to lead our in-house Footwear & Accessories Design team at Russell & Bromley. This role will oversee the full design process from initial concept to final product, ensuring our collections represent the brand’s DNA while staying ahead of trends. You’ll collaborate closely with the Creative Director, mentoring the team to produce innovative collections that resonate with our customers. The ideal candidate will have exceptional leadership skills, extensive design experience, and a passion for creating world-class footwear and accessories.
About the Company
Russell & Bromley is the destination luxury fashion footwear & accessories brand for the everyday. A leading force in British fashion with over 40 stores operating across the UK and Ireland.
Combining European craftsmanship with a British glint in the eye, Russell & Bromley offers iconic style and on-trend design that empowers people to feel exceptional every day. Founded in Lewes in 1880, borne from a love story between Albion Russell’s daughter, Elizabeth, and George Bromley – today the business remains family-owned, operated, and proudly independent.
The Russell & Bromley business is entering an exciting period of growth with Vision 2030, an ambitious five-year roadmap to fuel our future success, under the leadership of CEO Andrew Bromley. Strategic actions that include a commitment to brand and product transformation, continued growth of our UK & IRE retail footprint, and accelerated international expansion. An exciting opportunity to join at a huge inflection point for the business, coinciding with the launch of our first seasonal collection with new Creative Director, Daniel Beardsworth-Shaw and the relocation of our Global HQ to Kingly St. W1 in the heart of Soho, now home to our in-house design, creative, and product studios. Do you want to be part of our next chapter?
About the Role
- Lead the Footwear & Accessories design team from concept through to finished product.
- Collaborate closely with the Creative Director to drive the design vision, ensuring collections align with brand identity and market demands.
- Research and incorporate seasonal trends, creating innovative collections that excite our customers.
- Oversee the development of concept boards, colour palettes, material sourcing, and product development in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Manage the design team’s workloads and critical deadlines, ensuring timely delivery of collections.
- Provide mentorship and constructive feedback to the design team, fostering a positive and creative environment.
- Work with the product team to ensure designs meet budget and margin targets.
- Present design concepts to senior leadership and contribute to business strategy discussions.
- Visit factories and attend trade fairs as required, ensuring products meet high-quality standards.
About You
- 7-10 years of footwear and accessories design experience, ideally within a luxury or premium brand.
- A degree in Footwear Design or related discipline is preferred.
- Strong leadership experience, with a proven ability to manage and mentor creative teams.
- Expertise in Adobe Suite and other creative platforms.
- Experience managing in-house design teams and delivering collections on time and within budget.
- Exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Excellent communicator, able to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.
- Strong knowledge of global markets, trends, and materials.
Additional Requirements
- Domestic and international travel to factories and trade fairs will be required.
- Flexibility to work outside office hours when necessary.
Due to the high volumes of applications that we receive, we are regrettably unable to personally reply to them all. Therefore, we will only contact successful applicants within a period of two weeks.
Head of Design employer: Russell & Bromley
Contact Detail:
Russell & Bromley Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Russell & Bromley's brand identity and recent collections. Understanding their design philosophy and how they incorporate trends will help you align your vision with theirs during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed design teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've mentored team members and fostered a creative environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current footwear and accessories trends, especially within the luxury market. Being able to speak knowledgeably about trends and how they can be integrated into collections will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your project management skills by preparing examples of how you've balanced multiple priorities and met tight deadlines in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to manage the design team's workload effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Brand: Dive deep into Russell & Bromley's brand identity. Familiarize yourself with their history, values, and current collections to ensure your application reflects an understanding of their design ethos.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize your footwear and accessories design experience, particularly within luxury or premium brands. Provide specific examples of past projects that showcase your leadership and design skills.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Detail your experience in managing and mentoring creative teams. Highlight instances where you successfully guided a team through the design process, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with brand vision.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Include a portfolio that demonstrates your design capabilities, focusing on innovative collections that resonate with customers. Ensure it aligns with the trends and quality standards expected by Russell & Bromley.
How to prepare for a job interview at Russell & Bromley
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail. Highlight how you take a concept from initial idea to final product, and be ready to share examples of collections you've led that align with brand identity and market trends.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role requires strong leadership, think of specific instances where you've successfully managed and mentored a design team. Share how you fostered creativity and collaboration within your team.
✨Research the Brand and Market Trends
Understand Russell & Bromley's brand DNA and current market trends. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate seasonal trends into innovative collections that resonate with their customers.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role involves working closely with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've effectively collaborated with product teams or other departments to ensure designs meet budget and margin targets.
