Designer, Womens Footwear

Our 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,

• Deliver superior product from concept to completion that represents key trends and commercial opportunities, and create a balanced range for your category
• Through 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
• Through 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
• In developing broad industry and competitor awareness, identify and realise new product and design opportunities aligned to our overall Product strategy
• Understand 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
• Through strong relationships and collaboration with Buying counterparts, suppliers, fabric mills and Fabric Sourcing identify and realise opportunities for newness, trends and sourcing
• Support new Design Talent through mentoring junior team members, creating learning opportunities and fostering inclusion and diversity of opinion
• Provide direction to Trainee and Assistant Designers, managing their workload to ensure they contribute effectively to the design process
  
  Previous experience as an established Junior Designer or Designer across Footwear is essential
• Qualifications or studies relevant to Design are preferred
• Must be able to provide a portfolio of Design work with application
• Track record of mentoring and developing others
Job role competencies:
• Advanced Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills are essential
• Strong Product Development skills
• Strong technical and creative design skills
• Strong organisation skills
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Mentoring and development skills
• Commercial acumen
• Very strong interpersonal effectiveness and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management
• Good network in the market and industry
• Self-starter
• Action-oriented
• Adaptable
• Tenacious and resilient
• Passion for the RI brand and customer
  
  We'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 For You...
• Discount - Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself & a bargain staff shop, all onsite!
• RI Rewards - Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
• Island 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!
• Work that stays at work - Flexible working is a given, on top of payday early finishes and Summer Fridays
• Family Hub - Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment
• Giver Island - Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and matched funding
• Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
• Pension - A contributory private pension scheme
• Bonus - A generous bonus scheme
• Healthcare - With the choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA
• Car Allowance - Supporting you with your commute to work
• Parking - Free onsite parking
• Holiday - 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday for whatever the need!
We 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.