Design Manager – Fashion

Merseyside

Competitive Salary + Benefits

Hybrid working – 3 days in the office following probation

Are you a commercially minded creative leader ready to shape the design direction of an established retail brand?

NJR Recruitment is working with a successful, family-owned retailer with over 45 years of heritage to recruit a Design Manager.

Specialising in fashion and homeware for the mature consumer, our client combines a trusted catalogue business with an evolving presence across digital, e-commerce and marketplace channels.

This is an opportunity to make a visible creative impact, leading an in-house design team and shaping how the brand connects with customers. You’ll combine creative direction with hands-on delivery, bringing fresh ideas to seasonal campaigns, photography and customer communications.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary.
• Hybrid working following probation, with three days in the office.
• Company pension.
• 23 days’ holiday.
• Free on-site parking.
• Employee benefits.

The Role

Reporting to the Marketing Director, you will take ownership of creative standards and design output across the business. Responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the in-house design team, setting clear priorities and supporting individual development.
• Overseeing creative delivery across catalogues, print campaigns, digital assets, e-commerce, marketplaces and customer communications.
• Developing campaign concepts and ensuring all creative work is engaging, commercially effective and consistent with the brand.
• Reviewing concepts, layouts and artwork, providing clear direction and constructive feedback.
• Improving creative processes, workflow and quality control to support efficient, accurate delivery.
• Managing seasonal schedules and competing project priorities to meet agreed deadlines.
• Working closely with Marketing, Buying and E-commerce teams to translate commercial briefs into effective creative solutions.
• Leading seasonal photoshoots, from planning and briefing through to on-set direction, image selection and final asset delivery.
• Managing photographers, studios, model agencies, printers, reprographics suppliers and other external partners.
• Monitoring design, photography and production budgets across monthly and seasonal activity.

About You

You’ll be an experienced creative leader who enjoys developing people, delivering strong design and balancing creative ambition with commercial objectives.

You will bring:

• Proven experience managing, motivating and developing an in-house design team.
• A strong commercial design background within retail, fashion, homeware or a similar customer-focused business.
• Confidence across print and digital channels, including catalogues, campaigns and e-commerce content.
• The ability to combine creative leadership with hands-on involvement in concepts, layouts, imagery and artwork.
• A sharp eye for typography, image selection, layout and brand consistency.
• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines calmly.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• A friendly, approachable leadership style, with the confidence to make decisions, challenge constructively and give clear feedback.

Interested?

Apply online or for further information contact one of our specialist consultants quoting reference number: NJR17111