River Island
Footwear Designer, Girlswear
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Senior Designer – River Island
Our Design Team deliver stand-out, affordable fashion with the unique style and touches that underpin the River Island handwriting.
As a Designer / Senior Designer, you’ll take a lead in setting the direction for your categories and will be accountable for the full product development cycle from concept to completion across our ranges. Subject matter experts in driving design excellence, you’ll develop complex and stand-out pieces while ensuring a balanced range that reflects key trends, drives commercial results, and aligns with customer needs.
Key Accountabilities
Directing Design Strategy & Delivery
- Ensure excellence in design from concept to completion, reflecting key trends and commercial opportunities—producing a balanced, trend-conscious range for every category.
- Drive a strong market, industry, and commercial awareness, conducting thorough research to identify new product and design opportunities aligned with River Island’s broader Product Strategy.
Technical & Creative Excellence
- Produce high-technical-standard designs with a deep understanding of fabrics, engineering, fit, and quality, delivering exceptional first-sample hit rates for the market level.
- Collaborate with suppliers, fabric mills, and Buying counterparts to expand trend and sourcing opportunities, ensuring fidelity between design intent and production execution.
Sustainability & Commercial Acumen
- Embed sustainable practices into every stage of design, development, and production to meet our sustainability commitments—and champion these principles across the Design Team.
- Analyse sales history, margin targets, range plans, and commercial objectives to ensure your designs deliver business growth while balancing customer desirability.
Leadership & Mentorship
- Mentor new Design Talent, fostering creativity, professional development, and diverse perspectives within the team.
- Manage and mentor Associate Designers, providing clear direction while delegating workflows effectively to optimise the design process.
- Identify and cultivate talent readiness for progression, offering targeted coaching and learning opportunities to empower individual potential.
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Key Requirements
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Substantial experience as an established Designer (or equivalent) in fashion, textiles, or retail and industry experience is mandatory.
- Formal design education or relevant studies (degree, diploma, or industry-recognised certifications) essential.
- A portfolio showcasing your design expertise and track record, demonstrating strategic, trend-savvy solutions.
Critical Skills & Competencies
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for detailed design development.
- Exceptional Product Development skills, including budgeting, prototyping, and supplier collaboration.
- Strong technical ability in taking creative concepts through to flawless production alongside a sharp commercial mindset.
- Outstanding mentorship capabilities, with a proven record of developing talent and guiding careers.
- Strategic commercial awareness: ability to align designs with sales histories, trend forecasting, and ROI targets.
- Resilience, adaptability, and a self-starting mentality—routinely pushing innovation while managing tight deadlines.
- Passion for the River Island brand, its values, and customer needs.
Technological & Technical Proficiency
- Creative Tools: Mastery in Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)
- Production & Workflow: Hands-on experience with technical packaging, grading, and pattern-making process.
- Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with file-sharing software, ERP systems, or project management tools used in fashion.
About River Island
River Island is a beloved fashion brand with a dynamic future. Our team of Islanders is a diverse, talented group united by our shared passion for collaboration and creating work we’re proud of. A career at River Island is dynamic, offering endless progression opportunities and a workplace that truly listens.
This Senior Designer role is based at our Head Office in West London.
Benefits & Perks
🌟 50% staff discount on River Island products and access to on-site staff shop discounts.
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Financial Wellbeing:
- Support via Retail Trust offerings, including financial advice, benefits, savings plans, and Bailey offers.
- Additional wellness solutions and lifestyle discount schemes.
🏡 Compassionate Workplace:
- Customised Family Support: Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, adoption, and fertility treatments.
- Ongoing collaboration with Retail Trust for dedicated family and wellbeing support programs.
Flexible Working:
- Hybrid or flexible working frameworks, plus summer early finish Fridays and flexible paid time options.
💖 Volunteering & Community:
- Give as you Earn scheme, plus an annual ‘Giver Island’ day with matched funding (doubling your charity hours).
📚 Professional Growth:
- Tuition support for upskilling training and qualifications; plus succession planning to help you progress.
- Investments in roles suitable for your goals and aspirations.
🏅 Financial Rewards:
- Generous bonus scheme aligned with company performance.
- Access to private pension plans.
🏥 Choose Healthcare:
- Option to opt in for AXA Healthcare solutions.
🚗 Commuting Support:
- Travel stipends to offset commuting costs.
🌅 Holiday Policy:
- 25 days paid annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays), with opportunities to buy additional holiday twice per year.
Safeguarding & Values
At River Island, we prioritise the safeguarding of all employees regardless of age or role. We uphold the Prevent Duty, fostering an inclusive environment rooted in British Values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect.
Our workplace reflects our values: diversity, inclusion, and a belief in equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of background, gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation. We strive to offer flexible work requests where possible, aligning with our commitment to a supportive, modern workplace.
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River Island’s difference lies in its people. Join us, and let your passion for fashion drive us forward.
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