At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to design innovative menswear collections that resonate with youth culture.
- Company: Join Urban Outfitters, a brand at the forefront of street-style and youth culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, gym access, and up to 40% off at all URBN Brands.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while mentoring a talented design team.
- Qualifications: Extensive menswear design experience and a passion for sustainable fashion.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Key Responsibilities & Qualifications
- Creative Strategy & Leadership: You will mentor, manage, and inspire a diverse design team, nurturing their creativity while aligning the brand's DNA across all channels.
- Trend & Concept Steering: Proactively drive seasonal innovation to ensure UO is always 'first to market.' You'll guide all departments in nailing the emerging trends, color palettes, and prints that define the UO handwriting.
- Operational Excellence: Own the seasonal development calendar and full critical path. You'll keep the team dynamic and agile, identifying cross-functional opportunities (like fabric consolidation) to drive efficiency and profit.
- Range Management: Collaborate closely with Buying and Planning to build cohesive collections that exceed customer expectations while hitting commercial goals.
- Customer Obsession: Act as the ultimate voice of the UO customer, translating territory-specific data and sales patterns into killer retail experiences.
- Sustainability & Innovation: Lead the charge on circularity. You will influence suppliers and internal teams to implement sustainable fabrics and low-impact processes through a strategic lens.
- Proven Design Expertise: You have extensive experience in multi-product menswear design and an innate, effortless understanding of the Urban Outfitters aesthetic.
- A People-First Leader: Your management style is rooted in mentorship. You know how to develop talent, balance workloads, and unite a team under a shared creative vision.
- Commercially Astute: You possess a data-informed approach to design. You know how to read competitor activity, navigate pricing strategies, and react dynamically to create in-season, fast-react products.
- Technically Masterful: You bring advanced knowledge of garment construction, raw materials, and manufacturing techniques, alongside proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Miro to drive collaboration.
- Eco-Conscious: You have a genuine passion for sustainable fashion, understanding preferred fibers, recycling qualities, and the cost implications of eco-alternatives.
- An Exceptional Communicator: You can 'read the room,' manage complex stakeholder expectations, and pitch your ideas persuasively to senior management.
Ready to shape the future of street-style and youth culture? Urban Outfitters is looking for a vision-led, commercially sharp Head of Menswear Design to join our division across the UK and Europe. This position isn't just about designing clothes; it's about leading and shaping the UO customer culture. You will strategically guide a talented, multi-level design team to create innovative, trend-focused, and commercially viable collections that resonate with our community. If you know how to balance raw creative innovation with retail reality, your next chapter starts here.
Employee Benefits
- Work-life balance: Flexible start and finish times. Bring your dog to work.
- Wellbeing: Employees Assistance program to support with mental, physical and financial health. Fully equipped free gym and on-site wellness room in Brick Lane and 50% discount of external gym memberships. Private Medical Insurance.
- Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and more!).
- Community: One paid day to either volunteer or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
- Travel: Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.
- Continued Development: We offer structured support within the business alongside continued learning and development.
Head of Menswear Design in London employer: Urban Outfitters, Inc.
Urban Outfitters is an exceptional employer that champions creativity and innovation in the heart of the UK and Europe. With a strong focus on work-life balance, employee wellbeing, and a vibrant community culture, we offer flexible working hours, generous discounts across our brands, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Join us to lead a talented design team in shaping the future of street-style while embracing sustainability and making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Menswear Design in London
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like Urban Outfitters, Inc.!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including Urban Outfitters, Inc..
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for Urban Outfitters, Inc..
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at Urban Outfitters, Inc.!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Menswear Design in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at Urban Outfitters, Inc..
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to Urban Outfitters, Inc.!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at Urban Outfitters, Inc.. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Urban Outfitters, Inc.
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
