Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Disturbia

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Design Management (GTM Operations Adjacent)

Date Posted: May 18, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee the end-to-end design process, ensuring brand aesthetic and commercial viability are met.

• Lead and mentor a team of designers, fostering innovation and a collaborative environment to drive product development.

• Drive creative initiatives by leveraging sales performance, consumer data, and operational insights.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including buying, fabric development, and technical design to ensure alignment with critical path timelines and business objectives.

• Manage and optimize PLM systems for efficient collection creation and product lifecycle management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in Design Management, it has significant operational implications for Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, particularly in product development, process optimization, and data-driven decision-making. The emphasis on critical path timelines, PLM systems, and cross-functional collaboration aligns it with operational roles focused on efficiency and execution within the product lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Inspire, motivate, and mentor designers across multiple product categories, guiding creative direction and fostering an environment of innovation.

• Provide constructive feedback on product development, driving creative vision through key outfits and print stories aligned with brand aesthetic.

• Promote innovation in fabric and trim sourcing, trend research, and market insights, with a focus on sustainability and customer needs.

• Lead creative initiatives by analyzing operational performance, sales data, and consumer insights to inform design decisions.

• Drive skill growth and career progression within the Design team, overseeing workflow, ensuring effective KPIs, and acting as the primary liaison in cross-departmental communications.

• Plan, schedule, and manage team resources in alignment with critical path dates to ensure timely collection launches.

• Lead the utilization of PLM systems for managing product development through each stage of collection creation.

• Coordinate and oversee budget allocation for inspiration research and freelance designer engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process management, team leadership, and data utilization, which are core tenets of operational excellence. The emphasis on critical path, KPIs, and PLM systems directly relates to GTM operational functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Specific educational requirements are not detailed, but a degree in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, or a related field would be advantageous.

Experience: Requires multi-product design experience at a design lead or management level, with a minimum of 5-10 years in the fashion industry.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional people management, communication, and presentation skills.

• Strong understanding of fabric and garment construction across multiple product types.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the product development process, including short and long lead development and critical path challenges.

• Experience working with international factories, mills, and print houses.

• Confident working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Familiarity with standardized PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems.

• A highly developed aesthetic eye, with the ability to direct product design and curate well-considered collections.

• Demonstrated flexible working approach, diligence, and adaptability to operational team needs.

Preferred Skills:

• An interest in or understanding of the cultural references and customer profile associated with the Disturbia brand (dark romantic, esoteric, celestial, folk magic, alchemical symbols, etc.).

• Experience in trend forecasting and market analysis specific to contemporary fashion.

• Knowledge of sustainability practices within the fashion industry.

• Experience with data analysis tools and methodologies to drive design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on PLM systems, critical path management, and operational outputs strongly suggests an operational component to this role, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just creative vision but also process efficiency and execution capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a history of successfully leading design teams and managing the full product lifecycle from concept to production.

• Include case studies demonstrating how sales performance, consumer data, or operational insights were used to influence design decisions and drive commercial success.

• Provide examples of workflow management and resource allocation strategies for collection development.

• Demonstrate experience with PLM systems, illustrating how they were used to streamline product development and manage critical path timelines.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how design processes were optimized for efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness.

• Documentation of how KPIs were used to measure and improve design team performance.

• Evidence of cross-functional collaboration processes, particularly with buying, fabric, and technical teams.

• Case studies detailing the implementation or optimization of PLM systems within a design context.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio for this role will need to balance creative output with demonstrable process management and operational efficiency, showcasing an ability to translate creative vision into commercially successful products through structured processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While not specified, for a Design Manager role in London with 5-10 years of experience and hybrid working, the estimated salary range is typically between £55,000 and £75,000 per annum. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in London, considering the company's size (likely medium to large given the benefits offered) and the specific responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• 25 days of holiday + bank holidays, with potential for increase based on tenure.

• Eligibility for the company bonus scheme.

• Private Health Insurance.

• Flexible working times and hybrid working arrangements.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

• Significant company discount (up to 50%).

• Discounts with high street retailers.

• Two company parties per year.

• Birthday treats.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, with flexible working times and a hybrid working arrangement, indicating a focus on output and adaptability rather than strict adherence to a 9-to-5 schedule. Employees are expected to adapt to the operational needs of the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of Design Manager roles in London through platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific recruitment agencies, adjusting for the stated experience level and the hybrid work model. The benefits package is comprehensive and typical for a company of this nature and size in the UK retail/fashion sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Retail, with a distinct niche in alternative and gothic-inspired apparel.

Company Size: The company size is not explicitly stated, but the comprehensive benefits package and the existence of a dedicated Design Manager role suggest a medium to large-sized organization with established operational structures.

Founded: Disturbia was founded in 2003, indicating a mature brand with over two decades of experience in the fashion market, likely possessing a well-defined brand identity and operational history.

Team Structure:

• The Design team likely comprises multiple designers specializing in various product categories, reporting to the Design Manager.

• The Design Manager reports directly to the Design Director (Sarah Wilkinson).

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a key component, utilizing sales performance and consumer data to guide design and product development.

• A focus on innovation in materials, trends, and creative execution is encouraged.

• Process optimization is implicit through the use of PLM systems and critical path management.

Company Website: https://disturbia.co.uk

📝 Enhancement Note: The brand's aesthetic (whimsical, dark romantic, esoteric) suggests a company culture that values creativity, individuality, and a strong connection to its niche customer base. This will influence the operational approach to product design and marketing.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a management level within the design function, with significant operational responsibilities. It bridges creative leadership with the execution and process management necessary for GTM. The role demands leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence across departments.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports to the Design Director, indicating a clear hierarchy within the design department. They will also act as a key point of contact for other departments, demonstrating a matrix of collaboration.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's role directly impacts the company's operational success by ensuring that the product offering is aligned with brand identity, customer demand, and market trends, all while adhering to critical path timelines and budget constraints. Effective product design and development are foundational to the company's revenue generation and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Design Director or Head of Design roles, with increased strategic oversight and team management responsibilities.

• Operational Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in PLM systems, supply chain optimization within design, and data-driven product strategy.

• Brand Strategy Influence: Greater involvement in shaping the overall brand direction and product strategy based on market insights and performance data.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader GTM leadership roles that encompass design, merchandising, and product management.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique blend of creative leadership and operational execution, providing a strong foundation for career growth within the fashion industry by developing skills in both design strategy and process management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The hybrid working model suggests a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work. The office environment is likely designed to foster creativity and collaboration among the design team and with other departments.

Office Location(s): London, England. Specific office details are not provided, but a London base implies access to a vibrant fashion industry ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on teamwork and cross-departmental communication suggests an office space that facilitates interaction, brainstorming, and joint problem-solving.

• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Suite), PLM systems, and potentially sample rooms or material libraries.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with designers, buyers, technical teams, and potentially marketing or e-commerce personnel, fostering a holistic understanding of the GTM process.

Work Schedule: Flexible working times combined with a hybrid model allows for a degree of autonomy in managing the workday, balanced with the need for in-person collaboration and adherence to critical path deadlines. This flexibility is key for managing complex design projects and operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role suggests a modern work environment that values both focused work and in-person collaboration, critical for a creative and operationally intensive role like Design Manager.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess suitability for the role, focusing on design experience, leadership capabilities, and understanding of the brand.

• First Interview: Likely with the hiring manager (Sarah Wilkinson), focusing on leadership style, team management experience, and understanding of the design process and brand aesthetic. This may include scenario-based questions related to team motivation and conflict resolution.

• Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, highlighting key projects, design process, and demonstrable impact. A specific case study may be assigned, requiring candidates to analyze sales data, propose design directions, or outline a process improvement for collection development.

• Second Interview/Panel Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or cross-functional department heads (e.g., Head of Buying, Head of Production), focusing on commercial acumen, operational understanding, PLM system knowledge, and ability to collaborate effectively.

• Final Interview/Offer: Discussions regarding terms, benefits, and start date.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase multi-product design experience, leadership in managing design teams, and a strong understanding of the critical path and PLM systems.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the role played, the process followed, and the quantifiable results achieved (e.g., sales uplift, cost savings, efficiency improvements). Use specific metrics where possible.

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate an understanding of Disturbia's unique aesthetic and customer base, showcasing how your design philosophy aligns with their brand identity.

• Process Focus: Include examples of how you've managed design workflows, collaborated with cross-functional teams, and utilized data (sales, consumer insights) to inform design decisions.

• PLM & Critical Path: Explicitly detail your experience with PLM systems and managing projects within critical path timelines.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a new collection for Disturbia, considering trends, brand DNA, and commercial viability.

• Process Improvement: Think about potential operational challenges in a fashion design context (e.g., lead times, sample approvals, feedback loops) and how you would address them.

• Team Management Scenarios: Prepare for questions about motivating a creative team, providing constructive feedback, and managing performance.

• Data Analysis: Familiarize yourself with common fashion retail metrics (e.g., sell-through rates, conversion rates, margin analysis) and how they inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess both creative vision and operational rigor. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate how they can lead a design team effectively while ensuring efficient and data-informed product development within strict timelines.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating technical flats, prints, and design concepts. Proficiency at an advanced level is expected.

• Adobe Photoshop: For mood boards, graphic design elements, and initial concept visualization.

• Microsoft Excel: Crucial for budget management, tracking sales data, creating reports, and managing team workflows/KPIs.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: For presentations to senior management, cross-functional teams, and for trend research dissemination.

• PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) Systems: Specific system not named, but experience with any major PLM software (e.g., Centric PLM, Lectra, Gerber) is critical for managing product development stages, specifications, and timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales Data Platforms: Experience interpreting sales reports from e-commerce or retail systems to understand product performance.

• Consumer Data Tools: Familiarity with tools that provide insights into customer preferences, demographics, and buying behavior.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create or interpret dashboards that visualize key design and sales metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, an understanding of how customer data within a CRM might inform design briefs is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation tools could be advantageous for optimizing internal design processes, though not explicitly stated as a requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in PLM systems is a non-negotiable requirement, highlighting the operational core of this design management role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with specific PLM software and how they've leveraged it for process efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value, encouraging designers to push boundaries within the brand's aesthetic while exploring new materials and techniques.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of sales performance and consumer data to inform design choices, ensuring commercial relevance.

• Efficiency & Process Adherence: Valuing the ability to manage workflows, meet critical path deadlines, and utilize PLM systems effectively for streamlined product development.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering a team environment where open communication and cross-functional teamwork are paramount to successful product launches.

• Brand Authenticity: A deep commitment to the brand's unique dark romantic and esoteric aesthetic, ensuring all designs resonate with the target customer.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working closely with buying, fabric, and technical teams to ensure designs are feasible, commercially viable, and produced to a high standard.

• Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback loops within the design team and with other departments to refine product development.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting an environment where designers share insights from trend research, market analysis, and consumer feedback to benefit the entire team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to blend creative freedom with a structured, data-informed, and collaborative approach to product development, reflecting a mature operational framework within a creative industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Commerciality: The primary challenge will be to maintain Disturbia's unique aesthetic while ensuring designs are commercially viable and meet sales targets.

• Managing Critical Path Timelines: Fashion retail operates on tight deadlines; managing the design team to consistently hit these critical path dates, especially with international production, is a significant operational challenge.

• Integrating Data Effectively: Translating complex sales and consumer data into actionable design briefs and decisions requires strong analytical and communication skills.

• Leading a Creative Team: Motivating and guiding a team of designers with diverse creative visions while maintaining brand consistency and operational efficiency.

• Adapting to Market Trends: Staying ahead of evolving fashion trends while staying true to the brand's core identity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Developing skills in broader product strategy, market positioning, and long-term brand vision.

• Operational Excellence: Deepening expertise in supply chain management, PLM system optimization, and data analytics within the fashion context.

• Cross-functional Influence: Enhancing ability to influence decision-making across departments and contribute to overall GTM strategy.

• Sustainability Initiatives: Potential to lead or contribute to the brand's sustainability efforts within product design and sourcing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an excellent opportunity for a design leader to expand their operational expertise, making them highly valuable in the dynamic fashion retail landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a new collection for Disturbia, considering our brand aesthetic and current market trends?" (Focus on methodology, trend research, data integration, and creative process.)

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with strict commercial or operational constraints. What was the outcome?" (Highlight problem-solving, negotiation, and compromise skills.)

• "How do you ensure your design team stays motivated and productive, especially when working under tight deadlines?" (Discuss leadership style, feedback mechanisms, and performance management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Disturbia, and how do you see your design philosophy aligning with our brand?" (Show genuine interest and understanding of the brand's niche.)

• "How do you stay updated on fashion trends and consumer insights relevant to our market?" (Demonstrate proactive market awareness.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation to tell a story – the challenge, your approach, the process, and the results.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality images and clear graphics. Ensure technical flats are precise and mood boards are cohesive.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to illustrate the impact of your work (e.g., "This collection saw a 15% increase in sell-through," or "Implemented a new PLM workflow that reduced sample turnaround time by 2 days").

• Process Demonstration: Clearly articulate the steps you took, the tools you used (especially PLM), and how you collaborated with others.

• Brand Relevance: Tailor your examples to show how your skills and experience can directly benefit Disturbia.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to showcase not only their design talent but also their operational capabilities, demonstrating how they can lead a team to deliver successful products efficiently and effectively within a specific brand context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Disturbia's careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in multi-product design management, PLM systems, critical path management, and team leadership. Quantify achievements with metrics related to sales, efficiency, or process improvement.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best demonstrate your leadership, creative vision, understanding of the fashion product lifecycle, and experience with operational tools like PLM. Ensure it aligns with Disturbia's aesthetic.

• Prepare for the Interview: Research Disturbia's brand, target audience, and recent collections. Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and experience with data-driven decision-making and operational processes. Be ready to present your portfolio and potentially tackle a case study.

• Understand the Brand: Familiarize yourself with Disturbia's unique dark romantic, esoteric, and whimsical aesthetic, and be prepared to discuss how your design approach complements and enhances it.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.