Designer, Kidswear FTC

RIVER ISLAND; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent retail fashion brand is seeking a Designer to drive product development from concept to completion. The role entails ensuring designs align with market trends and product strategies while mentoring junior designers. Ideal candidates will have strong technical skills and relevant design qualifications. The position is based at the Head Office in West London and offers a range of attractive benefits.

Benefits

50% staff discount

Free onsite gym

Subsidised restaurant

Flexible working hours

Generous bonus scheme

Private pension plan

Healthcare options

25 days paid holiday

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Junior Designer or equivalent is essential.
• Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work.
• Track record of mentoring and developing others.

Responsibilities

• Deliver superior product from concept to completion.
• Produce designs to a high technical standard.
• Lead and shape Product Development discussions.
• Identify new product and design opportunities.
• Support new Design Talent through mentoring.

Skills

Advanced Adobe Illustrator skills

Advanced Photoshop skills

Strong Product Development skills

Strong technical and creative design skills

Strong organisation skills

Strong verbal communication skills

Education

Qualifications or studies relevant to Design

Job description

Our Design Team deliver stand-out, affordable fashion with the unique style and touches that underpin the River Island handwriting. As a Designer, you'll start to set the direction for your categories, and will be accountable for full development cycle of products for inclusion in the final ranges, that represent key trends and drive commercial results, and present a balanced overall range for our customer.

Key Accountabilities:

• Deliver superior product 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 in-depth 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
• Understand sales history, sales and margin targets and range plans for your own area of accountability and division to ensure designs are aligned to deliver on commercial opportunities
• Through strong relationships and collaboration with Buying counterparts, suppliers, fabric mills and Fabric Sourcing identify and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing
• Support new Design Talent through mentoring junior team members, creating learning opportunities and fostering inclusion and diversity of opinion
• Provide direction to Trainee and Assistant Designers, managing their workload to ensure they contribute effectively to the design process

Key experience required:

• Previous experience as a Junior 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 mentoring and developing others

Job role competencies

• Advanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential
• Strong Product Development skills
• Strong technical and creative design skills
• Strong organisation skills
• Strong verbal communication skills

About Us

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.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.

What we can offer you:
Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!

Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through Reward Gateway!

A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.

Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!

Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.

Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and receive matched funding.

Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.

A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.

The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.

An allowance supporting your commute to work.

25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!

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.

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. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.

Benefits