Design Director

Job Type: Design Director - Footwear                                    

Salary: Excellent salary and benefits package commensurate with experience

Location: London

Sector/Industry: Fashion

Are you an experienced Design Director/ Head of Design looking for an opportunity to lead the direction of a well-known brand? Are you passionate about lifestyle footwear? If so, please read on!

The business are a global group with recognisable brands as part of their portfolio and a well-known heritage. They are now looking for a Design Director to lead, direct and coach the lifestyle design team and development teams and manage product development resources.

As Design Director, you will manage a team of Senior Designers and freelancers, to research, design and develop market appropriate footwear across all categories.

The role encompasses the following responsibilities:

• Work with Global Product to set seasonal vision and seasonal line strategy
• Interpret seasonal trends and filter these through the brand DNA
• Interact with Product team and Material team to direct material seasonal needs
• Create seasonal colour palettes in collaboration with the product team
• Work with advanced concepts team to share new designs and innovations, alongside the latest PDM 3D designs
• Work with development to ensure product ideation is brought to life, and ensure that patterns, construction and outsole blueprints are in line with factories for overseas production
• Partner with Marketing team to collaborate on seasonal stories and inform all key selling features and benefits of finished product
• Establish and continually use effective communication channels to ensure the team is kept aware of all relevant product and business issues

Successful candidates:

• You will be an experienced Design Director or Head of Design, with a strong background in Footwear design
• Excellent man management skills, able to motivate, develop and inspire a team
• Knowledge of footwear shoemaking – constructions, materials and usages
• Working knowledge of shoe components and materials (especially leather), fitting processes and requirements, sole moulding and mould making
• Appreciation of design proportions and aesthetic requirements
• Experience in shoe sample rooms and development facilities
• Must have CAD/Adobe experience
• Excellent communication, people and interpersonal skills
• Able to present to people at all levels

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Design Director/ Head of Design looking to make the next step in their career and lead a team of passionate designers across a fantastic brand. To apply, please contact Rebecca Ward at The Advocate Group directly, or click the apply button to send a copy of your CV and portfolio.