Design and Development Lead

Do you want to help redefine how fashion products are imagined, developed and brought to life?
As a Design & Development Lead, you will combine design, product development and emerging technology to create relevant, inspiring and commercially successful products for a young, expressive and culture-aware customer. Working at the intersection of creativity, innovation and customer insight, you will translate ideas into compelling product opportunities and help shape the future of product creation.
This is not a traditional design or product development role. You'll join a small, highly collaborative team focused on exploring AI, digital product creation and new ways of working to challenge convention and drive innovation. We're looking for someone who thrives in change, enjoys solving complex challenges and is excited by the opportunity to make a visible impact.
What you will do:
Translate creative vision, brand direction and customer needs into relevant, commercial and inspiring products.
Guide the product creation and development journey from concept to launch, ensuring high-quality execution and solving development challenges along the way.
Collaborate with design teams to integrate AI into creative workflows to support concept generation, idea development and creative exploration.
Develop AI-assisted and digital presentation methods, including product visualisation and digital product creation, to support faster decision-making and reduce reliance on physical samples.
Identify opportunities to improve ways of working and help evolve traditional development processes into more agile and responsive workflows.
Use customer insights, market developments and fashion trends to identify product and assortment opportunities while balancing creativity, quality, speed, cost and commercial potential.
Partner with Buying and Production teams to explore demand-led development approaches and flexible production models that support responsible resource use.
Provide guidance on materials, construction, components and product details to strengthen design intent, quality and customer relevance.
Build, test and scale new ways of working in collaboration with Design, Product Development, Production, technology partners and external suppliers.
Support the adoption of new technologies in a practical and inclusive way that empowers creative teams and drives cross-functional collaboration.
Who you’ll work with:
You will work closely with the Product Lead, Key Account Coordinator and Merchandising Lead within Production. You will also collaborate with Customer Experience teams, technology partners and external suppliers to connect creative direction, product development expertise, commercial priorities and customer insight throughout the product journey.
We are looking for someone with:
Proven experience operating at Senior Designer, Senior Product Developer or equivalent level within a fast-paced fashion business, influencing stakeholders and driving outcomes without formal people management responsibility.
Strong experience taking fashion products from concept through to launch, with a solid understanding of aesthetics, garment construction, materials, quality, costing and customer needs.
Strong knowledge of fashion trends, customer behaviour and product development, with the ability to balance creative vision, brand identity and commercial objectives.
Proven hands-on experience implementing and embedding AI-powered tools within design, product development or product creation workflows, with the ability to demonstrate tangible business, creative or operational impact.
Experience identifying process improvements and implementing new ways of working in fast-paced, cross-functional environments, with an understanding of responsible and circular production principles.
Experience working within innovation, transformation or new ways of working initiatives, with a track record of challenging established processes and driving adoption of new approaches.
Experience presenting product concepts, collections or development strategies to external partners, customers or senior commercial stakeholders, with the ability to influence decisions and gain alignment.
Excellent communication and presentation skills in English, with the ability to influence and build buy-in across creative, technical, commercial and external stakeholders.
Behaviours based on our values
Delivery & Execution: Ability to produce high-quality, accurate work, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines. You should also be able to demonstrate resilience under pressure.
Problem Solving & Judgment: Ability to analyse issues logically, use data and evidence to guide decisions & anticipate and address issues before they arise.
Communication: Able to communicate clearly in writing and verbally, you should be able to explain technical or complex points simply and keep stakeholders informed and updated.
Collaboration: Ability to work constructively with other colleagues, share knowledge and support teammates. You should also be openminded and accept feedback professionally.
Adaptable & Curious: You should be able to adjust to changing priorities, learns new tools and processes quickly and show curiosity and self-development

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No