Senior Desiger

The successful candidate will be leading our vision to expand into new product categories and acctualise our vision of becoming a British lifestyle. Working closely with our Founder, you will own product conception at WNU.

Our Senior Designer will be reporting to the Founder / CEO, working closely with the Product Development team, this role will focus on the development of WNU’s growing multi product collections.

You will have 5-7 years experience in a womenswear brand using Adobe suite and Indesign, bringing a combination of creative flair with acute commercial and technical awareness to lead the direction of the WNU product offer. 

Responsibilities and Duties

We are looking for an experienced, technically strong and independently driven Senior Designer to join the team and lead the new product direction. Responsible for building out the product range and ensuring all designs are on brand and meets the requirements set by the development manager’s target costs and critical development calendar. 

• Work with our Founder to create and execute the brand vision for the season
• Lead seasonal launch meetings briefing team on design direction - establishing mood boards, colour palettes, key shapes, trims and fabrications 
• Drive extensive and broad research activities for key trend and sustainability direction, working to ensure WNU stays aligned to sustainability targets 
• Work with development manager and merchandiser to build out the range requirements each season
• Creating all product launches in Illustrator, handing over detailed tech packs to Product Developer for launching samples with factories. Responsible for achieving high success rate on prototypes 
• New fabric and shape sourcing, briefing team on key areas of focus
• Working with wider team to ensure launches are aligning with price and delivery requirements, proposing solutions where necessary 
• Leading with fit meetings, overseeing fit and aesthetic of each product whilst adhering to brand and production guidelines
• Ability to travel to trade fairs, mills and  factory sites when required 
• Ability to work independently but also thrive in our team dynamic and support cross functionally 
• Contribute to overall brand imagery, including but not limited to shoots, website and mailers if/when required

Skills and experience required:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in a similar role within a premium/luxury environment
• Strong technical understanding in multi product areas 
• Superior communication skills with the ability to present seasonal design vision to Founder and product teams
• Broad knowledge of global manufacturing processes
• Passionate about sustainability through design and aligned with WNU core values
• Able to conceptualise and build out design strategy whilst understanding the commercial requirements
• Ability to work closely with production manager and product developer, keeping to deadlines whilst nurturing team creativity 
• Previous experience of leading a team would be advantageous

Employee Benefits:

• 33 days annual leave for full time employees (25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays)
• ​Discretionary bonus
• Flexible working hours
• Work from home days
• 1 week remote working
• Generous Staff Discount
• Annual Volunteer Day
• ​Eye Care Vouchers
• Biannual company parties and at least one company away day