Senior Designer - Swim & Beach (12 month Maternity Cover)

The Role:
This is the perfect role for an experienced Senior Designer to join our Design team on a 12 month maternity cover contract. The role will be focused on Swim and Beach working closely with the wider design team on all things trend. Design is at the forefront of everything we do, working together to build the vision for the season. If you enjoy working in a fast paced and creative environment, spinning multiple plates and having a good laugh as you do – then the New Look Design team is for you!
This role offers a great deal of autonomy, reporting directly into the head of design and working with a super talented team. Here at New Look we put the customer at the centre of everything we do. Working closely and building great relationships with buying and merchandising is key in this role to deliver a balanced and commercial range that maximises sales opportunity. You will support the Company Design strategy by designing and developing core ranges in line with current trend, customer profiles and brand direction. To identify department key item blocks and ensure they are delivered. You will manage direct reports and ensure they are coached and given clear objectives to support their growth within the business.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:

40% staff discount plus friends & family discounts throughout the year
Access to our reward platform for external discount and offers
Private pension scheme
Virtual GP access for you and your children – it allows you to speak to a doctor at a time and date that suits you
All employees are covered by our life assurance policy from day one
Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme.
Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year
Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave (eligible after 2 years’ service).
Spread the cost of your commute with interest-free season ticket loans
Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme
We're proud to partner with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children's Trust


What you’ll be doing:

Clearly identifying department key items at the start of the season and ensure they are delivered in line with New Look customer profiles
Identifying key item blocks for the season in line with Brand strategy working with buying to create a balanced and commercial range that feels new for the customer.
Driving forward the Design team, with support of the Heads of Design, and be a vocal voice in strategic opportunities
Strategically manages the critical path from design concept through to final buying samples reacting to market changes and challenges.
Creating mood boards, trend presentations and catwalk reports giving clear and concise trend messages to Buying teams
Sourcing new fabrications overseas inspired from trend research and to share new ideas on fabrics with the wider Design team where relevant
Working in synergy with Buying to build a strong fashion yet commercial range, sharing ideas and information with other product areas to ensure brand / product consistency
Good influencing skills and self believe, to ensure that newness is delivered into the range, at the correct grading in collaboration with Buying
In-depth trend knowledge, being able to identify emerging trends and influence the business at critical points. Looking at opportunities to react quickly, with strong understanding of the supply base and how to get quick reads on product
Identifying new sourcing opportunities and providing focused, clear development direction to current supplier base
Developing the right product at the right time, in line with the departmental design strategy to meet customer requirements
Monitoring, maintaining and actioning in-depth competitor analysis, and presenting ideas and new product opportunities to gain competitor advantage
Sharing information where relevant on product, suppliers, best / worst sellers within business area and across the wider business
Communicating effectively with all internal and external teams
Working with QA to complete fit sessions in order to develop block and fit that reflects design direction and customer trends
Driving trends and themes for each range period and the delivery of these in a timely manner, supporting the Head of Design / Design Manager
Planning, development and inspiration trips with the Buyer in line with the critical path
An excellent understanding of the New Look Customer
Strong understanding of our Customer Insight and Market Share
Actively contributing in trend and competitor analysis, making recommendations for changes or developments
Ongoing familiarity of the competition’s product range
Challenging current ways of working and practices across departments and functions, coming up with new initiatives to benefit the whole Business and implementing these
Managing and developing the Team, displaying strong leadership skills to enable achievement of New Look’s strategy
Giving 1:1 coaching on the job, transferring skills and knowledge to others
Conducting regular catch ups and performance reviews, proactive in managing performance, ensuring constructive feedback, recognition and praise is given.
Driving the BMD vision into clear goals and objectives for your direct reports and their teams.


Who you are:

Previous experience within Swimwear is essential.
PC / Mac literate - Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel, Word, Adobe Suite
Excellent spec skills using a mix of hand sketching, illustrator and Photoshop
Able to present work in an exciting format to Heads Of and / or Directors, influencing buying decisions
Management of workload according to the critical path
An in-depth knowledge of the current competitive and inspirational market place
Excellent interpersonal / communication skills
Superb understanding of the department, and the ability to predict trend / key items with full conviction at the start of the season
Ability to line manage, motivate and develop the team
Ability to initiate, build and maintain strong relationships with Buying/Merchandising /QA
Good influencing skills
Ability to contribute to the bigger picture and Design department as a whole
Good organisational skills
Flexible, adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced environment
Forward thinking in approach
Presentation skills
Pro-active in approach and seeks solutions
Fully represent and demonstrate our New Look Values
Previous experience as a Designer / Senior Designer within a major retailer / department within New Look / established supplier
Fashion Qualification / Other degree desirable