VP Design, Core

FashionUnited; København; On-site; DKK 746,269 - 970,149; Full time

Job summary

FashionUnited is seeking a VP Design to innovate and evolve our product portfolio focused on personalisation and collaborations. This role will lead a talented design team in our Global HQ in Copenhagen, ensuring cultural relevance and uniqueness in our collections.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the jewellery or fashion design industry, with strong leadership skills and an ability to collaborate with various stakeholders to drive design-led product leadership.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Jewellery Design and/or Fashion Design.
• Strong understanding of the Jewellery and Fashion industry.
• Experience leading a Design team in a cross-functional environment.

Responsibilities

• Innovate and evolve product portfolio according to creative vision.
• Lead design team from research to production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for project success.

Skills

Jewellery Design

Creative background in Fashion Design

Strong Design skills

Technical knowledge of Design

Leadership ability

Collaboration skills

Job description

We are searching for the VP Design to lead our Core portfolio, which includes our personalisation platforms, Charms universe and collaborations.

The VP Design will play a pivotal role in continuing to grow, innovate and evolve our portfolios and approach to design. The focus is on driving design‑led product leadership through uniqueness, self‑expression and cultural relevance to further differentiate Pandora and increase our appeal to new and existing consumers.

The VP Design reports to our SVP Creative Directors, Francesco Terzo and A. Filippo Ficarelli, and leads a large team of world‑class designers. Unlocking the potential of this team is another key focus of the role, in addition to continuing to position Pandora as an attractive place for leading designers to come and join.

It is a highly visible member of cross‑functional project teams and will collaborate closely with multiple stakeholders across our vertically integrated end‑to‑end business.

The position is based in our Global HQ in Copenhagen.

The Role

• Innovate and evolve our product portfolio through idea generation – short and long‑term – according to Pandora’s creative vision and portfolio strategy
• Bring incremental ideas within the different pillars and collections
• Expand the design aesthetics within the different collections
• Build ownable codes and collection identities
• Bring innovative ideas into materials, techniques, categories, etc.
• Lead and collaborate on a range of complex short/medium/long‑term projects
• Lead design team across all creative steps, from research to design, from reviews to feedback, from CAD corrections to prototype reviews
• Effectively manage the team of designers based on projects/needs
• Lead prototype reviews and ensure that final samples match aesthetic needs, as well as quality and margin goals
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration, including with Innovation, Design Development, Creative Sourcing, Merchandising team
• Curate assortments and build collection identities

The Accountabilities

• Support the Creative Directors in all activities relating to creativity: creative vision, design aesthetic evolution, vision for each collection, product strategy, collection roadmap, medium/long‑term ideas, storytelling
• Research new product ideas, materials, functionalities and generate concepts
• For each cycle, oversee the development of concepts, storytelling, key product ideas, designs, innovation requirements, briefs to the design team, and sketch reviews with the team
• Validate the Design team’s sketches, final designs and technical designs
• Provide feedback on 3D renderings and prototypes, and ensure selected designs are feasible in mass production; if they are not, ensure technical solutions are found through collaboration with cross‑functional teams
• Validate prototypes and changes
• Participate in research trips and prototype review trips
• Collaborate with the Creative Sourcing team on material research and development
• For each project develop all products ensuring they align with the vision and expectations of the Creative Directors and support with handling responses to commercial and strategic requests
• For each cycle, ensure there is close alignment with merchandising team

The Desired Profile

• Extensive experience in Jewellery Design, which may include a background in broader Fashion Design
• Strong Creative background with a deep understanding of the Jewellery and Fashion industry
• Strong Design skills including technical knowledge of all aspects of Design and how to work effectively with cross‑functional colleagues, including in Innovation, New Product Development, Design Development, Creative Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Merchandising
• A positive, curious and highly collaborative individual with an ability to lead by example and inspire those around them
• Previous experience leading a Design team and working in cross‑functional matrix teams
• Deep connection with fashion, art, culture, etc. and what is considered culturally relevant and contemporary