Head of Design - WW ASOS Design

Job Description

Company Description

We’re ASOS, the online retailer for fashion lovers all around the world.

We exist to give our customers the confidence to be whoever they want to be, and that goes for our people too. At ASOS, you’re free to be your true self without judgement, and channel your creativity into a platform used by millions.

But how are we showing up? We’re proud members of Inclusive Companies, are Disability Confident Committed and have signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and we placed 8th in the Inclusive Top 50 Companies Employer list.

Everyone needs some help showing up as their best self. Let our Talent team know if you need any adjustments throughout the process in whatever way works best for you.

Job Description

The Role:

The Head of Design plays a critical role in strategically driving the success of multiple departments through effective trend building, strategic planning and range building. Working collaboratively with leaders across Merchandising, Buying, Sourcing, Technical, Global Commerce and Creative & Marketing, they are responsible for leading teams to achieve directional & commercially successful outcomes for the departments and wider business.

You will lead the product strategy for multiple departments, managing a team of Designers and working collaboratively with the wider Retail team to deliver a commercial and trend-led range that is loved by the WW ASOS Design customer, globally.

You will be collaborative, organised, and strategic with your finger on the pulse of fashion - always looking to push the range for our global markets forward.

Contribute to design direction and ensure that product design is aligned to the strategic vision & focused on delivering a compelling and commercial offer appropriate for our target customer.

The Head of Design will contribute to WW ASOS Design success and growth by managing & developing a highly creative design team.

What you’ll be doing:

• Head of Design covering Casual, Knitwear, Formalwear & Denim
• Supporting the EVP Creative & Design Director to contribute to the product and design vision for WW ASOS Design
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Womenswear product departments including Buying, Merchandising and Technical management team to create the range
• Overseeing range development, ensuring that the product reflects the Brand strategy, the range is without gaps or duplication, and that the season is logically and commercially thought through.
• Shaping a strategy for the departments you are responsible for that is aligned to the wider Commercial and WW ASOS strategy, understanding how the range sits within the overall ASOS portfolio
• Work collaboratively with other functions to deliver the WW ASOS strategy
• Drive and embed a best-in-class proactive Team, which supports the delivery of WW ASOS Design Brand of the Future
• Management of the WW ASOS Design teams
• Identifying new product opportunities as they emerge in the market and actioning those in the range in a commercial manner
• Manage the process of creating a balanced range, developing Big deals, key seasonal shapes, trends and items for the WW ASOS Design customer
• Collaborate across departments and functions of the business including Creative & Marketing, to ensure the design vision is communicated clearly
• Shaping the product direction of multiple departments and strategy with key partners
• Operating as a senior manager within the Commercial division, working in close partnership with WW ASOS Heads of Design, Heads of Buying, Heads of Merch and the wider Retail team to deliver profitable departments, irrespective of market conditions and shifting trends
• Anticipating the needs of the 20-something customer, using sales data, customer profile analytics and trend information to deliver commercial product ranges and shape the future of the division
• Working with leaders in the Global team to understand global planning and trading strategy for departments, identifying new moments and opportunities to support global requirements
• Building and leveraging relationships with a network of appropriate internal teams to drive evolution within the strategy
• Shaping and driving lean, agile processes and ways of working for departments
• Maintains and instils in the departments a strong understanding of global competitors’ product offer to pivot team activity and manage risks, as required
• Analysing trading patterns, advising teams and ensuring appropriate action is taken to unforeseen sales reactions.
• Working with Head of Categories to ensure that product reviews are held at the appropriate time for product sign-off.
• Guiding team on range building, taking into account Options, ALB strategy and global requirements
• Maintaining a clear understanding of brand purpose and Fashion with Integrity and ensuring these principles are fully embedded within the team
• Leading and driving business wide initiatives and projects, positively influencing and championing change
• Agreeing styling and visual merchandising guidelines with Studios
• Leading and building a strong team with a focus on growing future talent
• Providing clear direction and development to the team, identifying individual training needs and encouraging collaborative ways of working
• Motivating and engaging the team through recognition and regular feedback

Qualifications

We’d love to meet, someone who:

• Proven WW Experience is a requirement
• Shows strong awareness of current trends, Retail market conditions and opportunities within a Global context
• Has a proven track record in Design within a fast-paced and rapidly changing global Retailer
• Demonstrates the ability to drive the success of multiple departments through strategic and commercial thinking
• Can successfully influence and gain buy in from the team and leaders to potentialise opportunities
• Embraces and champions the benefits of change within the wider team
• Presents performance and strategy to the team and management with an engaging and confident style
• Shows a deep understanding of the ASOS customer and customer segmentation and reflects this in decision making
• Demonstrates a commercial and analytical mindset, using data and insights to leverage opportunities that successfully contribute to the department and wider ASOS strategy
• Uses relevant market insights to aid decision making and achieve the best outcome for the business
• Has a strong awareness of current trends, Retail market conditions and opportunities within a Global context
• Builds great relationships with internal stakeholders Exec level and other functions
• Has an effective and inclusive management style, role modelling positive behaviours and providing the team with clear direction and development
• Shows a deep understanding of the ASOS 20 something customer and customer segmentation and reflect this in decision making

Additional Information

BeneFITS’

• Life Assurance
• Private Medics
• Group income protection
• Pension
• Staff discounts
• Holiday and celebration days

Why take our word for it? Search #InsideASOS on our socials to see what life at ASOS is like.