Here at N Brown, we champion inclusivity by making our customers look and feel amazing. We don’t believe that age, size, shape or background should stop anyone from feeling confident, stylish and happy with the way they look and feel. With our industry leading expertise in creating fashion that fits, we’ve been proudly breaking down these barriers for over 150 years. We help our customers to express themselves with stylish products, helpful services and flexible finance. Now, we’re moving forward together, embracing innovation and new technology, to continue to delight our customers.

Working here you’ll explore everything the world of digital retail has to offer — asking questions, trying new things and chasing new opportunities. Combine this curiosity with the freedom to make your own decisions, take charge of projects and work flexibly, and you’ve got the perfect place to show your skills and learn new ones. It’s fast and furious here at times, but this just means something new and exciting is always on the way. So, if you collaborate, think on your feet, embrace innovation and love rising to a challenge, your work with us will have a serious impact on the business, your career and our customers’ lives. We are proud to be N Brown.

The role

As Head of Design you will be working with the Group Design Director and wider group leadership team to support the implementation of the Group Design strategy, and creative vision for the JD Williams and Simply Be team. You will lead a team of mixed level Designers in the development of category and brand definition and experience principles and ensure that those are appropriately interpreted through the team's work.

What will you do as an Head of Design - Womenswear

Act as a senior strategic/thought leader within the Design and Retail Leadership team.
Deliver and drive a strong and consistent product vision, strategy and handwriting with a Brand and Category aligned focus.
Through the team of Designers deliver seasonal and in season trend, print, graphic , fabric and colour direction.
Support the build, design and develop product ranges for a specific brand and live and breathe the brand bible and customer OKRs.
Manage and drive the Design teams creative and product critical path.
Provides leadership to the Design team, managing performance, building talent of the future and creating an inclusive, creative culture where all are empowered to perform.
Ensure product ranges are planned and delivered across all key trading dates and launches throughout the year.
Maintains high standards and ensuring only the best work is delivered/presented and deadlines are met.
Work alongside Sourcing, Quality and Buying teams to deliver product ranges that sit within specified pricing architectures.
Work alongside the marketing , studio , creative and brand teams to deliver key collections and seasonal launches to support marketing campaigns & activity.
Able to mix hands on design with people and brand leadership.
Is flexible regarding travel both close to home and off shore.
Management of budgets

What are we looking for?

Strong design and product development skills within Womenswear
Significant design experience across multi womenswear product categories.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to think creatively and deliver new ideas and concepts.
Strong organisational and time management skills.
Meticulous attention to detail.
Provides strong sourcing experience and builds excellent supplier relationships
Strong team and people management skills to drive performance, engagement and development
Excellent CAD skills and experience
ADOBE ILLUSTARTOR & PHOTOSHOP
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
Graphics experience an advantage

What’s in it for you?

24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days
Annual bonus scheme
Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
A range of financial wellbeing support
Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!
Our full-time working hours are 36.17 per week over 5-days. We don’t have strict working hours therefore there is some flexibility around start and finish times as long as you are meeting the needs of the business.
Our promise to you:
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!

Employees in our business may have access to our customers’ personal data therefore for a number of our roles, offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individual from obtaining a position with N Brown Group.