Head of Design - Country Road (Childrenswear)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Design - Country Road (Childrenswear)

Company: Country Road Group

Location: Melbourne - CBD & Inner, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Leadership / Creative Operations

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic design vision and execution for the Country Road Childrenswear product lines, ensuring commercial viability and brand aesthetic alignment.

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of talented Childrenswear Designers, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and inclusive creative environment.

• Drive trend forecasting and concept development for seasonal collections, translating global and local fashion insights into actionable design direction.

• Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams including Buying, Planning, Product Development, Marketing, E-Commerce, and Visual Merchandising to ensure cohesive product expression and strategic objective achievement.

• Champion the brand's purpose, customer definitions, and sustainability initiatives throughout the design process, from concept to final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership role within the creative function, specifically focused on a key product category (Childrenswear). The emphasis on "Creative Operations" stems from the need to not only lead design but also manage the processes, cross-functional collaborations, and team dynamics essential for successful product lifecycle management and market delivery. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility, typical for senior roles in creative industries.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Vision & Strategy: Define and communicate the overarching design vision for Country Road Childrenswear, ensuring seamless integration with the brand's overall aesthetic, purpose, and strategic growth objectives.

• Trend Research & Forecasting: Conduct in-depth research into emerging global and local fashion trends, color palettes, fabric innovations, and print directions, presenting key findings and forward-looking concepts to senior stakeholders and the design team.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee the end-to-end design process, from initial concept development and sketching to material selection, fit, construction, and final product approval, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, quality standards, and safety regulations.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster strong working relationships with Buying, Planning, Product Development, and Merchandising teams to ensure design decisions are commercially sound, meet margin targets, and are integrated into the overall product strategy.

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, inspire, and mentor the Childrenswear Design team, cultivating a positive and productive work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and professional growth, driving a performance-driven culture.

• Brand Alignment: Partner with Marketing, E-Commerce, Visual Merchandising, and the Creative Director to ensure the design vision is consistently translated across all customer touchpoints, including in-store displays and digital marketing campaigns.

• Commercial Acumen: Collaborate with Buying and Planning teams to develop product assortments that meet financial targets and market demands, balancing creative expression with commercial realities.

• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and refine design processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and speed-to-market, embracing transformation and change initiatives within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and operational management. The emphasis on "Product Lifecycle Management" and "Cross-Functional Collaboration" points to a need for strong process understanding and execution, crucial for a Head of Design role in a retail environment. The inclusion of "Commercial Acumen" and "Process Optimization" underscores the operational aspects of this creative leadership position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in design, with a significant portion focused on leadership roles within the childrenswear sector.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership: Demonstrated ability to set and articulate a compelling design vision and translate it into successful product collections.

• Childrenswear Expertise: Deep understanding of childrenswear market dynamics, trends, design principles, and safety regulations.

• Trend Forecasting & Analysis: Strong capability in identifying, interpreting, and forecasting fashion trends, translating them into commercially relevant design concepts.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to build and maintain strong relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse teams (Buying, Planning, Product Development, Marketing, E-Commerce, VM).

• Team Management & Mentorship: Proven experience in leading, motivating, and developing design teams, fostering a culture of high performance and inclusivity.

• Commercial Acumen: Solid understanding of retail buying, planning, margin targets, and commercial strategies within the fashion industry.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present design concepts and strategies clearly and persuasively to various stakeholders.

• Brand Stewardship: Ability to embody and champion brand purpose, customer definitions, and aesthetic integrity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with sustainability initiatives and ethical sourcing within the fashion industry.

• Familiarity with global sourcing and manufacturing processes.

• Proficiency in design software relevant to fashion and textile design.

• Experience in a "House of Brands" environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ Years" experience level, coupled with the specific mention of "leadership role across Childrenswear," indicates a need for deep domain expertise and established management capabilities. The emphasis on "Cross-functional Collaboration" and "Commercial Acumen" is critical for a design leader who must integrate creative output with business objectives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Vision & Execution: Showcase examples of seasonal design direction, concept boards, and final product collections for childrenswear, demonstrating a clear creative vision and its successful implementation.

• Trend Interpretation: Provide evidence of how you've identified emerging trends and translated them into commercially successful product lines, including research and forecasting methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Illustrate instances where you have effectively partnered with Buying, Planning, or Product Development teams to achieve specific product or commercial outcomes.

• Team Leadership & Development: Include case studies or examples of how you have mentored and developed design team members, fostered a positive team culture, and driven performance improvements.

• Brand Alignment: Demonstrate how your design work has successfully aligned with and enhanced brand identity and customer propositions for a lifestyle or fashion brand.

Process Documentation:

• Concept-to-Launch Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your approach to managing the design process from initial concept generation through to product finalization and handover to production, highlighting key stages and decision points.

• Trend Integration Methodology: Explain how you integrate trend research and forecasting into the seasonal design calendar and development process.

• Cross-Functional Handoffs: Detail your methods for ensuring smooth and effective communication and handoffs between design and other departments like Buying, Planning, and Product Development.

• Performance Measurement: Discuss how you track and measure the success of design initiatives, from concept appeal to commercial performance and customer feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Head of Design role, a portfolio is crucial. The requirements are tailored to demonstrate not just creative talent but also the ability to manage processes, lead teams, and achieve commercial objectives within a structured retail environment. The emphasis on "Process Documentation" implies a need to articulate how design processes are managed and optimized.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Product & Discount: Bi-annual product allowance, access to sample sales, and a 40% employee discount across all Country Road Group brands for you and immediate family.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work environment and various leave options including birthday leave, volunteer leave, and personal leave.

• Health & Wellbeing: Access to health insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling, and financial advice services.

• Parental Leave: 18 weeks paid parental leave program for eligible employees, with a return-to-work clothing allowance.

• Career Development: Internal career opportunities across the "House of Brands" and an annual learning calendar to support ongoing professional development.

• Community Impact: Opportunities to support impactful community and charity partnerships.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 38-40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement balancing office presence with remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on typical compensation for senior design leadership roles in Australia, considering the experience level and the company's standing. The extensive list of benefits provided by Country Road Group is a significant draw and has been detailed to reflect their value to potential candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Retail / Lifestyle Apparel. Country Road Group operates within a highly competitive and dynamic fashion retail landscape, with a strong emphasis on Australian style, quality, and increasingly, sustainability.

Company Size: Part of Country Road Group, a significant player in the Australian retail sector, likely employing several thousand individuals across its brands. This size offers opportunities for career progression and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: Country Road was founded in 1974. Its long history signifies a well-established brand with a deep understanding of the Australian market and a commitment to timeless design.

Team Structure:

• Creative Leadership: The Head of Childrenswear Design reports to the Country Road Creative Director, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the creative function.

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with Buying, Planning, Product Development, Marketing, E-Commerce, and Visual Merchandising teams, highlighting an integrated, matrixed approach to product creation and go-to-market strategy.

• Design Team Management: Directly leads a team of Childrenswear Designers, responsible for their output, development, and team cohesion.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative vision is paramount, the role emphasizes collaboration with Buying and Planning to ensure designs are "commercially sound" and meet "financial targets and margin parameters," indicating a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Holistic Brand Expression: The role actively partners with Marketing, E-Commerce, and VM teams to ensure the design vision is consistently translated across all customer touchpoints, reflecting a unified brand experience strategy.

• Agile Adaptation: The company embraces "change" and "transformation," suggesting a willingness to adapt processes and strategies in response to market dynamics and evolving customer expectations.

Company Website: https://www.countryroad.com.au/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as collaborative, purpose-driven, and curious, with a strong commitment to sustainability. The "House of Brands" structure implies opportunities for cross-brand learning and potential career mobility within the group. The emphasis on "One Team" suggests a unified approach to achieving business goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, positioned as a "Head of" within a specific product category. It demands strategic thinking, team management, and significant influence over product direction and commercial outcomes. The role operates at a strategic level, shaping the future of childrenswear for a major Australian brand.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Country Road Creative Director, placing it within the senior creative leadership team. This position will also have direct reports within the Childrenswear Design team.

Operations Impact: The Head of Design has a direct impact on revenue through the creation of commercially successful and desirable product ranges. Their strategic decisions influence product assortment, pricing, and brand perception, all of which are critical drivers of sales performance and profitability. Effective management of the design process also impacts operational efficiency and time-to-market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into broader creative leadership roles within Country Road Group, such as Creative Director for a larger segment or across multiple brands.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the strategic direction of the Country Road brand, influencing product innovation, sustainability practices, and market positioning.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: Within the "House of Brands" structure, there may be opportunities to contribute to or learn from design strategies in other divisions like Trenery, Witchery, Mimco, or Politix.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities through an annual learning calendar, industry engagement, and mentorship from senior leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step for a design professional, offering leadership scope and strategic influence. The growth paths are clearly defined within the context of a multi-brand retail group, emphasizing both vertical progression and horizontal learning opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Melbourne - CBD & Inner, indicating a presence in a central business district. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a modern office setup designed for collaboration, with spaces for individual work, team meetings, and creative brainstorming.

Office Location(s): Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Specific office details would be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process, but CBD locations typically offer good public transport access.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is likely designed to facilitate cross-functional collaboration, with shared spaces and meeting rooms to encourage interaction between design, buying, planning, and marketing teams.

• Creative Resources: Access to design studios, material libraries, and potentially digital tools and software necessary for high-level fashion design and trend research.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, design critiques, and informal interactions that foster a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are expected to be around 38-40 per week, with a hybrid model allowing for flexibility. This structure is designed to support work-life balance while ensuring essential in-office collaboration and team engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and CBD location suggest a dynamic, professionally managed workspace typical of large retail organizations, balancing employee well-being with the operational needs of a creative and collaborative team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of CV and portfolio by HR and the hiring manager (Creative Director). Focus on relevant experience, leadership capabilities, and portfolio quality.

• First Interview: Typically with the hiring manager (Creative Director) to assess creative vision, leadership style, experience in childrenswear, and cultural fit. Portfolio presentation may be requested.

• Second Interview/Workshop: Often involves a more in-depth discussion, potentially including a creative challenge or presentation of a case study based on the portfolio. This stage might include meetings with other senior stakeholders from Buying, Planning, or Marketing to evaluate cross-functional collaboration potential.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or HR for a final assessment of strategic alignment, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your leadership in childrenswear design, trend forecasting, commercial success, and cross-functional collaboration. Showcase a range of work, from concept development to final product.

• Highlight Process & Impact: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, your role, the challenges faced, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., sales performance, margin improvement, brand impact).

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you've led teams, mentored designers, and collaborated effectively with other departments.

• Tailor to Country Road: Research Country Road's brand aesthetic, customer base, and current market position. Demonstrate how your design philosophy aligns with theirs, particularly for the childrenswear segment.

• Presentation Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Be prepared to walk through it confidently and answer detailed questions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Trend Analysis: Be ready to discuss current and emerging trends relevant to childrenswear and present a mini-trend forecast.

• Design Problem-Solving: Prepare to discuss hypothetical design challenges related to product development, market demands, or brand alignment, and outline your approach.

• Commercial Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you balance creative vision with commercial viability, margin targets, and inventory management.

• Leadership Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing team dynamics, motivating designers, and handling difficult stakeholder conversations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior creative role like this will heavily emphasize the portfolio and the ability to articulate strategic thinking and collaborative capabilities. The "Creative Operations" aspect means demonstrating not just design skill but also the ability to manage the operational flow of design within a retail context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is essential for creating technical flats, mood boards, and print designs.

• PLM Systems: Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems (e.g., Centric PLM, Lectra, Browzwear) is often required for managing product data, specifications, and workflows.

• 3D Design Software: Increasingly, familiarity with 3D design tools (e.g., CLO, Browzwear) for virtual prototyping, fit visualization, and reducing physical sampling is becoming advantageous.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Sales & Performance Data: Ability to interpret sales reports, conversion rates, and other retail analytics to inform design decisions and assess product performance.

• Trend Forecasting Platforms: Experience with subscription-based trend forecasting services (e.g., WGSN, Trendstop) for in-depth market analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by Design, an understanding of how customer data (often managed via CRM systems) informs brand strategy and consumer insights is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools for a Head of Design are primarily creative and process-management oriented. While direct management of CRM or extensive automation tools might not be required, understanding how these systems feed into brand insights and operational efficiency is important for strategic alignment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Courageously Curious: Encourages exploration of new ideas, perspectives, and innovative ways of working within the design process and team collaboration.

• Driven by Purpose: Designs with a focus on the brand's purpose (timeless Australian style, designed for life) and its commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and community impact.

• One Team: Emphasizes collaboration, cohesion, and connection across all departments and brands within the Country Road Group to achieve shared objectives.

• Customer-Centricity: Designs must resonate with the target customer for Country Road Childrenswear, incorporating customer feedback and market insights into the creative process.

• Quality & Longevity: A core tenet of the Country Road brand is creating products that are "made to last," influencing design choices regarding materials, construction, and timelessness.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated & Cross-Functional: The role requires a highly collaborative approach, working closely with diverse teams to ensure design is integrated with commercial, marketing, and product development strategies.

• Open Communication: Fosters an environment where ideas can be shared freely, feedback is constructively given and received, and transparent communication is maintained across all levels.

• Performance-Oriented: While fostering creativity, the team culture is also focused on achieving results, meeting deadlines, and driving commercial success for the childrenswear category.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values ("Courageously Curious," "Driven by Purpose," "One Team") are key cultural indicators. A successful candidate will demonstrate alignment with these values in their approach to design, leadership, and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: Consistently delivering innovative and on-brand designs that also meet strict commercial targets, margin requirements, and production timelines can be a significant challenge.

• Navigating a Multi-Brand Environment: Ensuring the distinct identity and strategic direction of Country Road Childrenswear is maintained while operating within the larger Country Road Group "House of Brands" structure.

• Adapting to Evolving Consumer Trends: Staying ahead of fast-paced fashion trends, sustainability expectations, and the changing needs of parents and children in the current market.

• Leading Through Change: Fostering a positive and adaptable team culture amidst ongoing organizational transformation and evolving business strategies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Design Leadership: Deepen expertise in shaping brand strategy, market positioning, and long-term product roadmaps within a leading retail group.

• Sustainability Integration: Opportunity to lead and implement more advanced sustainability practices within design and product development, aligning with the company's recognized leadership in this area.

• Cross-Brand Mentorship: Potential to learn from or mentor leaders in other Country Road Group brands, broadening understanding of different market segments and design approaches.

• Industry Engagement: Access to professional development resources, industry events, and potential certifications to stay current with design and retail best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding these challenges allows candidates to prepare specific examples of how they've overcome similar obstacles and to articulate their proactive approach to growth and continuous improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define the design vision for Country Road Childrenswear for the next 2-3 seasons, considering current market trends and the brand's core values?" (Prepare to discuss trend analysis, brand alignment, and commercial viability).

• "Describe a time you successfully collaborated with Buying and Planning teams to ensure a design range met both creative and commercial objectives. What was your approach?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and data-driven decision-making).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What resonates with you about Country Road's brand purpose and its commitment to sustainability?" (Research their sustainability reports and brand narrative).

• "How would you ensure the Country Road Childrenswear designs reflect our 'House of Brands' strategy while maintaining a unique identity?" (Think about brand architecture and differentiation).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation around a compelling story that showcases your journey from concept to successful product delivery.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state your role, the challenges, the process, and the measurable results (e.g., sales lift, margin improvement, customer engagement).

• Showcase Leadership: Highlight specific instances where you led teams, mentored designers, or influenced strategic decisions.

• Brand Affinity: Articulate how your design philosophy and past successes align with Country Road's brand aesthetic and customer proposition.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to present key highlights efficiently, allowing ample time for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions will require candidates to deeply understand the role, the company, and their own professional journey, linking their experience directly to the strategic needs of Country Road.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Country Road Group careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight your expertise in childrenswear design, leadership, trend forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration. Include specific examples that demonstrate commercial acumen and brand alignment with Country Road.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 10+ years of experience, focusing on leadership achievements, specific childrenswear design responsibilities, and quantifiable results. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "design leadership," "trend forecasting," "childrenswear," "stakeholder management").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and collaborative approach. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and prepare responses to potential strategy and behavioral questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Country Road Group, its brands, its sustainability initiatives, and its market position. Understand their "House of Brands" strategy and their core values ("Courageously Curious," "Driven by Purpose," "One Team").

⚠️ 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.

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