Designer - Occasionwear (6 month FTC)

The role

We’re looking for an Designer – Womenswear Occasionwear to join our Design team

The role purpose is to design new and innovative products on our Occasionwear brand- Joanna Hope.  

Review existing products to ensure that the ranges remain inspirational and relevant and we are covering key trends in line with our competitors. You will deliver key trends, colour and shape direction to the business in trend books and presentations. 

You will support the selection process to deliver exciting and commercial ranges, delivering optimal brand and customer performance whilst demonstrating full understanding of our customers’ needs in regard to shape, fit and trend direction.

What will you do as an Designer at N Brown?

• Collaborate with the Buying team on direction for the forthcoming season. 
• Keeping up to date with market intelligence, specifically around key competitors and future trends; providing insight and inspiration to the Design and Buying Teams. 
• Creation of new and exciting ranges that innovate in terms of product opportunity and the identification of new and developing trends. 
• Briefing and liaising with suppliers on new development and designs. 
• Working with QA and Buying on updating fit and pushing innovation in fabric and silhouette, with an added focus on being sustainable too. 
• Modernisation and design of product ranges in line with key competitors, driving improved net sales performance and gains in market share.   
• Delivering key items of the season with conviction, and being accountable for this key area of the womenswear range. 
• Ensuring harmonisation of trends across all products within Jersey and Leisure. 
• Strong understanding of the Brand and customer, and the design handwriting for Joanna Hope. 
• Opportunity to travel for inspiration and work with suppliers overseas, so being able to travel is important for this role. 

What skills and experience will you have?

• The successful candidate will support the Head of Design in delivering the trends and key items for the season, and presenting insight into new fabrics, colour & graphics, and the must-have pieces.  This will be through visual showcases to the Product teams, and the wider business.
• As well as being able to show a breadth of skill in Occasionwear design, the ideal candidate for this role will need to have a strong and varied design skill within occasionwear, and be able to present this clearly at interview stage.  Please upload examples of work as part of application process.
• An experienced Womenswear Occasionwear designer with a related degree or equivalent qualification and broad experience in a creative, commercial environment.  At least 5 years experience in the industry.
• Able to demonstrate exceptional Design skills within the required field, with a clear and confident approach to designing occasion/ partywear.
• Commercially aware and motivational with the ability to coach a creative mind-set with the team.
• Have excellent time management and strong verbal and written communication skills along with ability to communicate via a variety of media with various stakeholders.
• Experience of working with overseas suppliers, and traveling abroad.

What’s in it for you?

• Hybrid working  
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days
• Annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate
• 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

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. For this role, the expectation would be 3 days a week. 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 working hours are 36.17 per week and our core working hours are between 10am - 4pm. Given we don’t have strict working hours you can find the working pattern that’s right for you.

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!