Fashion Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Fashion Design Manager

Company: Princess Polly

Location: Burleigh Heads, QLD

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Fashion Design | Apparel Design | Design Management

Date Posted: 2025-06-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of talented Fashion Designers, guiding their creative process and professional development within a fast-paced, trend-driven environment.
• Oversee the end-to-end design lifecycle for weekly assortments, ensuring alignment with buying plans, financial targets (IMU >70%), and quality standards (returns <15%).
• Drive sustainability initiatives by integrating Earth Club goals into the design process, with a target of 40% of the assortment featuring sustainable materials.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Buying, Production, Marketing, and Social Responsibility teams to deliver cohesive, on-trend collections that embody the Princess Polly brand identity and meet critical path timelines.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and inspire a team of Fashion Designers, providing guidance, feedback, and support to foster their growth and creativity.
• Direct the design process for a high volume of new styles weekly (targeting 10-15 per designer), ensuring designs are commercially viable and align with seasonal trends and the overall buying strategy.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators including Initial Markup (IMU) and return rates, implementing design adjustments to optimize financial success and product quality.
• Integrate sustainable design practices and material selection into the collection development, working towards ambitious Earth Club targets to enhance brand sustainability.
• Partner closely with the Production and Quality Assurance teams to ensure designs are executed accurately, meeting fit, quality, and construction standards.
• Lead weekly design reviews and presentations, effectively communicating design vision, strategy, and progress to key stakeholders including the Merchandising Director and Buying team.
• Conduct regular trend research, including international scouting and workshops, to inform design direction and maintain Princess Polly's position at the forefront of youth fashion.
• Approve fabrications, graphics, and design details, ensuring consistency with brand aesthetic, quality expectations, and production feasibility.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Social Responsibility teams to ensure design narratives align with brand messaging and ethical sourcing standards.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related creative field is typically preferred. Relevant certifications in design management or sustainable fashion are a plus.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in fashion design, with a significant portion in a leadership or management role overseeing a design team. A strong portfolio demonstrating successful commercial designs and leadership in previous roles is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring and developing junior designers.
• Extensive experience in fashion design, including sketching, technical flats, fabric knowledge, and garment construction.
• Strong understanding of global fashion trends, consumer behavior, and the ability to translate trend insights into commercially successful designs.
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and design performance metrics (IMU, return rates).
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for sketching, rendering, and technical specifications.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams (Buying, Production, Marketing).
• Understanding of sustainable fashion principles and experience integrating sustainable materials and practices into the design process.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines within a fast-paced retail environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with 3D design software (e.g., CLO3D) for virtual prototyping and design visualization.
• Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for design data management and workflow optimization.
• Experience working with international suppliers and manufacturers.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and implement new design processes or technologies.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of successful commercial fashion designs, including sketches, technical flats, and final product photos.
• Case studies detailing the design process from concept to production, highlighting problem-solving, trend integration, and collaboration.
• Examples of design work that demonstrates an understanding of target customer aesthetics and brand identity.
• Evidence of technical design proficiency, including detailed technical specifications and knowledge of garment construction.

Process Documentation:

• Documentation of the research and discovery phase, including trend analysis, mood boards, and initial concept development.
• Examples of ideation and iteration methods used, such as sketching variations, fabric explorations, and prototyping stages.
• Evidence of validation and testing approaches, including fit sessions, sample reviews, and feedback incorporation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: AU$100,000 - AU$140,000 per year. This estimate is based on typical Fashion Design Manager salaries in the Queensland region of Australia for individuals with 5-10 years of experience in the retail/apparel industry. The final salary will depend on the candidate's experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package aligned with industry standards for a management role.
• Flexible working arrangements, indicating a commitment to work-life balance for creative professionals.
• Comprehensive parental leave and family planning program, demonstrating support for employees' personal lives.
• Exceptional employee discount program on Princess Polly products.
• Opportunity to work in a newly renovated, inspiring office space in Burleigh Heads.
• Participation in staff social activities and monthly birthday celebrations, fostering team cohesion and a positive work environment.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on a global fashion brand.

Working Hours: Full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week. The flexible working arrangements suggest some autonomy in managing schedules, which can be beneficial for creative workflows.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Retail | E-commerce | Fast Fashion | Apparel

Company Size: 201-500 employees (LinkedIn indicates 696 employees, suggesting recent growth)

Founded: 2010

Team Structure:

• The Fashion Design Manager reports to the Merchandising Director and collaborates closely with the Trend Director.
• The role involves leading and mentoring a team of Fashion Designers, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design department.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration is required with Buying, Production, Marketing, and Social Responsibility teams, suggesting an integrated approach to product development.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes trend-driven design and a fast-paced product lifecycle, focusing on weekly assortments.
• A clear critical path is followed for design development, indicating a structured process from concept to delivery.
• Integration of sustainability goals (Earth Club initiatives) into the design process is a key focus.

Company Website: http://www.princesspolly.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level management position within the fashion design hierarchy, responsible for both creative direction and team leadership. It is a significant step up from a Senior Designer role.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to the Merchandising Director suggests that design strategy is closely aligned with overall merchandising and buying objectives, indicating the commercial importance of the design function. Collaboration with the Trend Director ensures design remains at the forefront of fashion.

Design Impact: The Design Manager has a direct and significant impact on the product offering, brand aesthetic, financial performance (IMU, returns), and sustainability goals of the company.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for advancement to a higher-level leadership role such as Design Director or Head of Design, overseeing a larger team or broader design strategy.
• Opportunity to deepen expertise in sustainable design practices and contribute to the evolution of the company's sustainability initiatives.
• Development of strategic leadership skills by managing team performance, financial metrics, and cross-functional collaborations.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Office-based, located in a newly renovated office in Burleigh Heads, QLD.

Office Location(s): Burleigh Heads, QLD, Australia. The company also has an office in Los Angeles, USA, suggesting potential for international collaboration.

Design Workspace Context:

• Working in a newly renovated office likely provides a modern and potentially inspiring creative environment.
• Being on-site facilitates close collaboration with the design team and other departments like Buying and Production, which is crucial in a fast-paced fashion environment.
• The location in Burleigh Heads offers a desirable lifestyle component, potentially attracting talent seeking a coastal work environment.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with stated flexible working arrangements. This suggests a degree of autonomy in managing work hours, which can support creative flow and work-life balance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening interview, likely focusing on experience, leadership style, and understanding of the Princess Polly brand. Be prepared to discuss your career trajectory and what attracts you to this specific role and company.
• Portfolio review and presentation, where candidates will walk through their most relevant work, emphasizing process, commercial success, and leadership in design projects.
• Technical design assessment or discussion, potentially involving questions about garment construction, fabric knowledge, and technical specifications.
• Interviews with key stakeholders, including the Merchandising Director, Trend Director, and potentially members of the Buying or Production teams, to assess collaboration skills and strategic alignment.
• Discussion of leadership and team management experience, with behavioral questions focusing on how you mentor, motivate, and manage a design team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor your portfolio to highlight experience relevant to fast fashion, e-commerce, and the Princess Polly aesthetic.
• Include case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead a design project from concept to production, focusing on commercial outcomes and problem-solving.
• Showcase your understanding of trend forecasting and how you translate trends into marketable designs.
• Be prepared to discuss the business impact of your designs, including sales performance, margin, and return rates if possible.
• Highlight examples of technical design work, including detailed flats and specifications.

Challenge Preparation:

• While a formal design challenge isn't explicitly mentioned, be prepared to discuss your approach to solving typical design challenges in a fast-paced retail environment, such as tight deadlines, budget constraints, or unexpected production issues.
• Understand Princess Polly's target customer and be ready to discuss how you would design specifically for that demographic.
• Familiarize yourself with current and upcoming fashion trends relevant to the Princess Polly brand.

ATS Keywords: Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Design Manager, Design Leadership, Team Management, Trend Forecasting, Commercial Design, Retail Design, Garment Construction, Technical Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop, PLM, Sustainable Fashion, Earth Club, Buying Plan, Merchandising, Production, Quality Assurance, Portfolio, Case Study, Trend Research, Collaboration, Mentoring, Strategic Thinking, Detail-Oriented, Fast Fashion, E-commerce, Product Development, Critical Path.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop): Essential for sketching, technical flats, graphic design integration, and presentation materials. Proficiency at an advanced level is expected for leading a design team.
• Potential use of other design software relevant to fashion illustration or rendering.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Likely use of communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for internal team and cross-functional communication.
• Potential use of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems for managing design data, specifications, and workflow with production teams and suppliers.

Research & Testing:

• Tools and platforms for online trend research, market analysis, and competitor analysis.
• Involvement in fit sessions and sample review processes, likely utilizing internal systems for tracking feedback and revisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Trend-driven creativity: A strong emphasis on identifying and translating the latest fashion trends into commercially successful designs that resonate with the target customer.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Working closely with Buying, Production, and other teams to ensure a cohesive and efficient product development process.
• Commitment to quality and commercial success: Designing with an awareness of financial targets (IMU) and product quality standards (return rates).
• Innovation and sustainability: Actively working towards integrating sustainable practices and materials into the design process (Earth Club initiatives).

Collaboration Style:

• Fast-paced and responsive collaboration to meet weekly assortment deadlines.
• Cross-functional partnership is essential for aligning design with buying strategies, production capabilities, and marketing initiatives.
• Likely involves regular design reviews and feedback sessions to refine concepts and ensure alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative vision with commercial viability and tight production timelines in a fast-fashion environment.
• Maintaining high-quality standards while producing a high volume of new styles weekly.
• Continuously innovating and staying ahead of rapidly evolving fashion trends.
• Effectively integrating sustainability goals into the design process without compromising on aesthetic or cost.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to develop advanced leadership and team management skills.
• Exposure to the strategic aspects of merchandising and buying, broadening business acumen.
• Deepening expertise in sustainable fashion design and supply chain practices.
• Staying abreast of the latest design software and technologies in the fashion industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Walk me through your process for developing a new collection from concept to production in a fast-paced environment." Be prepared to discuss your approach to trend research, sketching, technical design, and working with production teams.
• "Describe a time you had to balance a strong creative vision with commercial constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" Highlight your ability to make commercially sound design decisions.
• "How do you ensure quality and fit consistency across a high volume of designs?" Discuss your experience with fit sessions, technical specifications, and working with QA.

Company Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Princess Polly and our brand aesthetic?" Research the brand's target market, values, and recent collections.
• "How do you foster a collaborative environment within your design team and with other departments like Buying and Production?" Provide specific examples of successful cross-functional collaborations.
• "What is your approach to mentoring and developing junior designers?" Share your philosophy on leadership and team growth.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation around key case studies that demonstrate your leadership in designing commercially successful collections.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the initial design brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, how you collaborated with other teams, and the final outcome (including any available performance metrics).
• Highlight designs that align with the Princess Polly brand and demonstrate your understanding of their target customer.
• Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your designs and your approach to ensuring quality in production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link.
• Customize your design portfolio to specifically highlight experience relevant to fashion design management, fast fashion, e-commerce, and the Princess Polly aesthetic. Include case studies demonstrating leadership and commercial success.
• Optimize your resume for design roles by using relevant keywords from the job description and clearly articulating your experience in design leadership, team management, trend forecasting, and working with key fashion design tools.
• Prepare for design interviews by practicing explaining your design process, discussing your portfolio case studies with a focus on commercial outcomes and collaboration, and preparing for questions about leadership and team management.
• Conduct thorough research on Princess Polly, including their brand identity, target market, recent collections, and any public information about their design team structure and culture.