Designer, Kidswear FTC

Department: Kidswear

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

Reporting To: Farrah Leather

DescriptionOur 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. 

\n\nKey Accountabilities: \nDeliver superior product 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 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 \nIn developing broad industry and competitor awareness, identify and realise new product and design opportunities aligned to our overall Product strategy \nUnderstand 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 \nThrough strong relationships and collaboration with Buying counterparts, suppliers, fabric mills and Fabric Sourcing identify and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing \nSupport new Design Talent through mentoring junior team members, creating learning opportunities and fostering inclusion and diversity of opinion \nProvide direction to Trainee and Assistant Designers, managing their workload to ensure they contribute effectively to the design process \n
\nKey experience required: \nPrevious experience as a Junior 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 mentoring and developing others \n
\nJob role competencies \nAdvanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential \nStrong Product Development skills \nStrong technical and creative design skills \nStrong organisation skills \nStrong verbal communication skills \n

About UsWe’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.