Head of Design

Location | Head Office, Kingly St, London

Workplace Type | Hybrid (2 Days WFH)

Contract | Full Time

We’re looking for an experienced Head of Design to lead our in-house Footwear & Accessories Design team at Russell & Bromley. This role will oversee the full design process from initial concept to final product, ensuring our collections represent the brand’s DNA while staying ahead of trends. You’ll collaborate closely with the Creative Director, mentoring the team to produce innovative collections that resonate with our customers. The ideal candidate will have exceptional leadership skills, extensive design experience, and a passion for creating world-class footwear and accessories.

About the Company

Russell & Bromley is the destination luxury fashion footwear & accessories brand for the everyday. A leading force in British fashion with over 40 stores operating across the UK and Ireland. Combining European craftsmanship with a British glint in the eye, Russell & Bromley offers iconic style and on-trend design that empowers people to feel exceptional every day. Founded in Lewes in 1880, borne from a love story between Albion Russell’s daughter, Elizabeth, and George Bromley - today the business remains family-owned, operated, and proudly independent.

The Russell & Bromley business is entering an exciting period of growth with Vision 2030, an ambitious five-year roadmap to fuel our future success, under the leadership of CEO Andrew Bromley. Strategic actions that include a commitment to brand and product transformation, continued growth of our UK & IRE retail footprint, and accelerated international expansion. An exciting opportunity to join at a huge inflection point for the business, coinciding with the launch of our first seasonal collection with new Creative Director, Daniel Beardsworth-Shaw and the relocation of our Global HQ to Kingly St. W1 in the heart of Soho, now home to our in-house design, creative, and product studios. Do you want to be part of our next chapter?

About the Role

• Lead the Footwear & Accessories design team from concept through to finished product.
• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director to drive the design vision, ensuring collections align with brand identity and market demands.
• Research and incorporate seasonal trends, creating innovative collections that excite our customers.
• Oversee the development of concept boards, colour palettes, material sourcing, and product development in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Manage the design team’s workloads and critical deadlines, ensuring timely delivery of collections.
• Provide mentorship and constructive feedback to the design team, fostering a positive and creative environment.
• Work with the product team to ensure designs meet budget and margin targets.
• Present design concepts to senior leadership and contribute to business strategy discussions.
• Visit factories and attend trade fairs as required, ensuring products meet high-quality standards.

About You

• 7-10 years of footwear and accessories design experience, ideally within a luxury or premium brand.
• A degree in Footwear Design or related discipline is preferred.
• Strong leadership experience, with a proven ability to manage and mentor creative teams.
• Expertise in Adobe Suite and other creative platforms.
• Experience managing in-house design teams and delivering collections on time and within budget.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent communicator, able to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.
• Strong knowledge of global markets, trends, and materials.

Additional Requirements

• Domestic and international travel to factories and trade fairs will be required.
• Flexibility to work outside office hours when necessary.

Due to the high volumes of applications that we receive, we are regrettably unable to personally reply to them all. Therefore, we will only contact successful applicants within a period of two weeks.