Senior Designer - Womens Outerwear and Tailoring

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Senior Designer - Womens Outerwear and Tailoring
Department: Design WW
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Hybrid
Description
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.
What We Are Looking For...
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 countability 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
This Is For You...
Discount - Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself & a bargain staff shop, all onsite!
RI Rewards - Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
Island culture - We have a free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café & various social events throughout the year. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
Work that stays at work - Flexible working is a given, on top of payday early finishes and Summer Fridays
Family Hub - Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment
Giver Island - Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and matched funding
Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
Pension - A contributory private pension scheme
Bonus - A generous bonus scheme
Healthcare - With the choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA
Holiday - 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday for whatever the need!
We mentioned the discount, right?
Keeping You Safe...
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. To find out more, please visit www.gov.uk
Every Islander Counts
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. 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. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
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