Senior Designer, Womens Footwear

Department: Womenswear

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

Reporting To: Faye Chamberlain

DescriptionWe’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.

\nThis is what a career at River Island is like.  And this is where yours starts.

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What We Are Looking For...\nJob Purpose: 

\nOur 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. 

\n \nKey Accountabilities: \nDeliver excellence in product design, from concept to completion, that represents key trends and commercial opportunities, and create a balanced range for your category \nThrough 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 \nThrough 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 \nIn developing broad industry and competitor awareness, identify and realise new product and design opportunities aligned to our overall Product strategy \nAt 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  \nUnderstand 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 \nThrough strong relationships and collaboration with suppliers, fabric mills, Fabric Sourcing and Buying counterparts, identify and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing \nSupport new Design Talent through mentoring and developing all team members, creating learning opportunities and fostering inclusion and diversity of opinion \nProvide direction to Designers and Assistant Designers, managing their workload to ensure they contribute effectively to the design process \nGrows 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 \n 
Key experience required: \nSubstantial previous experience as an established Designer or equivalent is essential \nQualifications or studies relevant to Design are essential \nMust be able to provide a portfolio of Design work \nTrack record of successfully mentoring and developing others \nExcellent network in the market and industry \n
\n Job role competencies \nMust have experience at Senior Designer level with vast Womens Footwear experience\nAdvanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential \nExcellent Product Development skills \nExcellent technical and creative design skills \nStrong organisation skills, intentional with time and focus \nStrong verbal communication skills \nExcellent mentoring and development skills \nStrong commercial acumen \nStrong interpersonal effectiveness and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management \nBuilds strong, genuine relationships with peers, highly collaborative approach \nSelf-starter \nForward-thinking, innovative \nChange champion with a curious, continuous learning mindset \nTenacious and resilient and adaptable to change \nPassion for the RI brand and customer \nDisciplined and conscientious, results oriented \n 

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This Is For You...\nDiscount - Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself & a bargain staff shop, all onsite!\nRI Rewards - Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!\nIsland 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!\nWork that stays at work - Flexible working is a given, on top of payday early finishes and Summer Fridays\nFamily Hub - Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment\nGiver Island - Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and matched funding\nTraining on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications\nPension - A contributory private pension scheme \nBonus - A generous bonus scheme \nHealthcare - With the choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA \nCar Allowance - Supporting you with your commute to work \nParking - Free onsite parking \nHoliday - 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday for whatever the need! \nWe 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