Head of Design

UMENCO is seeking a Head of Design for an established Australian womenswear brand.

At the heart of this role is the creation of an innovative, distinctive collection that honours the brands handwriting while pushing it forward. Working closely with the Creative Director, the Head of Design will set the seasonal design direction – defining key silhouettes, preparing trend and mood boards and briefing the design team on everything front print and product development to accessories. The Head of Design will bring vision and structure in equal measure, ensuring the team is always working with clarity and purpose.

The successful talent will oversee all fittings and sample reviews through to production sign-off, holding the team to the highest standards of fit, workmanship and quality at every stage. A deep understanding of fit in wovens is essential, as is the ability to guide the pattern room and design team along the critical path while meeting commercial cost targets. The Head of Design will have an eye for detail and commitment to excellence ensures that what reaches the customer is nothing short of exceptional.

The Head of Design will direct the seasonal fabric, colour and print story – curating a cohesive flow that feels both considered and fresh. From liaising with print mills and developing new print ideas, to analysing colour prediction services and requesting lab dips for sign-off, your are across every detail. Monthly colour shifts are set with intention, ensuring the brand remains relevant and visually compelling season to season.

In collaboration with the Creative Designer, CEO and Marketing and Art Director teams, the Head of Design will help shape the visual language of the brand – initiating campaign concepts, setting the seasonal mood and influencing the brand’s social media presence and aesthetic. The successful talent will understand that design does not stop at the garment, it lives in every touchpoint the customer experiences.