Senior Design Manager (Family Leave Cover)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager (Family Leave Cover)

Company: Seasalt Cornwall

Location: Falmouth, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Design Operations / Product Lifecycle Management

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days/week in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and shape the creative design vision and strategic product initiatives for a multi-category womenswear department, ensuring alignment with brand ethos and customer expectations.

• Act as deputy to the Director of Design, overseeing a large, multi-category department with a strong emphasis on trend relevance, elevated styling, and commercial viability.

• Drive operational excellence within the design function, optimizing processes from concept to final product, and fostering creative and technical excellence within the design team.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with buying, merchandising, sourcing, and marketing teams to translate design concepts into commercially successful and brand-aligned collections.

• Champion sustainability and ethical design principles, embedding circular design and responsible sourcing into core collections.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a temporary family leave cover, approximately 12 months in duration. While the core function is design management, the emphasis on "operational excellence for the design function" and "driving efficiencies in the design-to-production process" indicates a strong need for operations-minded candidates who can manage workflows, timelines, and cross-functional dependencies within a creative department. The "Senior" title and deputy role suggest significant autonomy and strategic input required.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a clear, forward-thinking departmental design strategy for a large, multi-category collection that aligns with the brand's vision, aesthetic, and customer expectations.

• Lead seasonal trend direction, inspiration exploration, competitive analysis, colour palette development, fabric selection, and silhouette creation, translating insights into cohesive and elevated collections.

• Refine the overall brand aesthetic in partnership with the Director of Design and other design managers, ensuring consistency across all categories while promoting innovation and creativity.

• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing design team, fostering creative and technical excellence, strategic thinking, and effective decision-making.

• Serve as a key strategic partner to senior leadership, aligning design objectives with broader buying, merchandising, sourcing, and business growth strategies, identifying market growth opportunities.

• Maintain an ethical approach to design, ensuring alignment with responsible fashion commitments, including circular design principles and responsible sourcing.

• Drive efficiencies in the design-to-production process, optimizing lead times, costs, and supplier collaboration.

• Support the Director of Design in high-level collection planning, ensuring seasonal collections are balanced, commercially sound, and creatively inspiring.

• Oversee the fabric and material strategy, guiding the design team to source and develop premium, sustainable, and profitable fabrications and finishes.

• Manage the critical path for the design team to create successful designs, precise design packs, and ensure seamless cross-functional integration from concept to final product.

• Guide the team in conducting fit sessions and development sampling, refining silhouettes, proportions, and craftsmanship to uphold premium quality standards.

• Partner with marketing, buying, merchandising, and visual teams to craft compelling narratives around design concepts.

• Present collections and strategic insights to key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with campaign planning, brand vision, retail performance, and growth strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and operational management. Candidates must demonstrate not only a strong design sensibility but also a robust understanding of process management, critical path execution, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure timely and commercially successful product launches. The emphasis on "operational excellence" and "driving efficiencies" suggests a need for candidates who can analyze and optimize workflows within the design department.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Strong academic background in a creative subject (e.g., Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design) or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Experience: Proven experience in senior design leadership roles, such as Senior Design Manager, Head of Design, or Head of Womenswear, within the fashion retail industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven knowledge of relevant design methodologies and fashion retail industry practices.

• Creative flair for fashion with a strong aesthetic sensibility.

• Demonstrated expertise in trend forecasting and translating trends into commercial designs.

• Solid understanding of garment construction, including the ability to realize designs in both 2D and 3D.

• Proven experience in strategic planning, objective setting, and team alignment within a design context.

• Strong commercial understanding and awareness of business priorities.

• Proven experience in leading, managing, hiring, and developing team members to achieve departmental goals.

• Excellent visual and communication skills, with strong presentation abilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with sustainable design principles and circular design methodologies.

• Knowledge of responsible sourcing practices within the fashion supply chain.

• Experience in managing multi-category collections.

• Familiarity with critical path management tools and techniques specific to product development.

• Ability to motivate, coach, and support individuals to meet team objectives.

• Keen eye for detail in all aspects of design and production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualification requirements emphasize a blend of creative expertise and leadership prowess. For operations professionals, the "proven experience in strategic planning, objective setting and team alignment," "commercial understanding," and "driving efficiencies in the design-to-production process" are key indicators of the operational rigor expected, even within a design-focused role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Provide relevant examples of creative vision, strategic product development, and collection leadership.

• Showcase successful implementation of design strategies from concept to final product, demonstrating commercial viability and brand alignment.

• Include examples of trend forecasting, silhouette development, and fabric selection that led to successful collections.

• Demonstrate experience in leading and managing design teams, with examples of team development and performance.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have optimized the design-to-production process, including improvements in lead times, cost efficiency, and supplier collaboration.

• Documentation illustrating critical path management for design projects, highlighting successful cross-functional integration.

• Case studies demonstrating the development and refinement of garment construction, proportions, and craftsmanship.

• Evidence of collaboration with marketing, buying, merchandising, and visual teams to develop compelling product narratives.

• Examples of how you have presented collections and strategic insights to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily design-focused, the explicit mention of "operational excellence," "driving efficiencies," and "critical path management" means a portfolio should highlight not just creative output but also the process and operational rigor behind it. Demonstrating how design initiatives were managed efficiently, how cross-functional collaboration was facilitated, and how timelines were met will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Up to £58,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Relocation Allowance: Available, equivalent to 5% of the offered salary, for candidates relocating to Cornwall.

Benefits:

• 34 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with length of service.

• Attractive 50% employee discount on Seasalt products.

• Flexible benefits allowance to personalize your benefits package.

• Private Medical Scheme, including 24/7 virtual GP services.

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme through Retail Trust with 24/7 support.

• Pension plan with generous 7% employer contributions.

• Life assurance programme.

• Enhanced family leave policies.

• Flexible working opportunities with a hybrid working approach (minimum 3 days/week in office).

• Learning and Development opportunities.

• "Do Good Things" program: two days per year paid volunteering opportunities.

• Employee networks to foster inclusion and belonging.

• Access to a discount hub offering savings on top retailers and gym memberships.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (assumed 40 hours per week), with a hybrid working arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior role in the UK fashion industry, especially in a region like Cornwall. The relocation allowance is a significant perk for candidates needing to move. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting Seasalt's commitment to employee well-being and professional development, including specific support for family leave, which aligns with the temporary nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Retail / Lifestyle Brand

Company Size: Over 80 shops across the UK, Ireland, and North America, 400+ wholesale stockists, with a growing global presence.

Founded: 1981

Company Overview: Seasalt Cornwall began in 1981 as a small shop in Penzance, evolving into a modern lifestyle brand deeply rooted in Cornwall's artistic and maritime heritage. The company is a certified B Corp and was recognized as Drapers' "Best Place to Work" in 2024, indicating a strong commitment to balancing business growth with a positive workplace culture and social responsibility. They emphasize creativity, brand differentiation, and strategic expansion.

Team Structure:

• The role operates within the Design department, acting as deputy to the Director of Design.

• It directly oversees the Womenswear design team and the Seasalt Stylist.

Methodology:

• Creative Process: Focus on leading seasonal trend direction, inspiration, competitive analysis, and translating insights into cohesive, elevated collections. Emphasis on aesthetic consistency, innovation, and customer resonance.

• Operational Efficiency: Driving efficiencies in the design-to-production process, optimizing lead times, costs, and supplier collaboration. Critical path management is integral.

• Sustainability Focus: Embedding circular design principles and responsible sourcing into core collections, aligning with B Corp values.

• Data-Informed Decisions: While not explicitly detailed, the role's alignment with commercial goals and buying/merchandising suggests that design decisions are informed by market data and performance metrics.

Company Website: https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Seasalt's B Corp status and "Best Place to Work" award highlight a culture that values creativity, sustainability, and employee well-being. For an operations-minded candidate, this means an environment that likely supports process improvement and values efficiency, provided it aligns with ethical and creative standards. The strong connection to Cornwall's heritage is a unique cultural aspect.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management / Leadership (Deputy to Director level). This role requires strategic oversight, team leadership, and significant contribution to departmental and company-wide objectives.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Design. Manages direct reports within the Womenswear design team and the Seasalt Stylist.

Operations Impact: The Senior Design Manager plays a critical role in shaping the product offering, which directly influences sales performance, brand perception, and customer loyalty. By ensuring collections are trend-relevant, commercially viable, and sustainably produced, this role has a profound impact on revenue, market share, and brand equity. The operational efficiency improvements driven by this role can lead to cost savings and faster market entry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Within the Role: Deepen expertise in multi-category design management, strategic planning, and sustainable fashion practices. Gain significant experience in a senior leadership capacity within a growing, certified B Corp organization.

• Skill Development: Enhance leadership and team development skills, refine strategic thinking, and gain further insight into the interplay between design, merchandising, buying, and marketing operations. Opportunity to hone presentation skills with senior stakeholders.

• Advancement: Potential for advancement to Director of Design roles within Seasalt or similar organizations, particularly in brands with a strong creative and ethical focus. Experience in leading a significant department and deputizing for a Director provides a strong foundation for future leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is temporary, it offers substantial experience at a senior level. For operations professionals, this is an opportunity to apply their process optimization skills within a creative domain, demonstrating versatility and strategic impact. The "growth mindset" requirement in the job description suggests that learning and development are valued, even within a fixed-term contract.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, with a minimum of 3 days per week required at the Head Offices in Cornwall. The remaining days can be worked from home. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration and creativity.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Cornwall, reflecting the company's origins and brand identity. Specific Head Office location details would need to be confirmed, but it's implied to be a central hub for design and business operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and cross-functional responsibilities necessitate a collaborative workspace. The design team will likely work closely together, with opportunities for interaction with other departments.

• Creative Hub: As a fashion brand, the workspace is expected to be visually inspiring, equipped with resources for design development (e.g., mood boards, sample areas, potentially CAD stations).

• Technology Integration: The role's reliance on critical path management and cross-functional communication implies access to relevant project management and communication tools.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working arrangement. This allows for focused work in the office or at home, balancing individual tasks with team collaboration and stakeholder meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, requiring 3 days in the Cornwall office, is a key aspect for candidates. It offers a balance between structured office collaboration and remote flexibility. For operations-minded individuals, understanding how this hybrid model is managed to ensure seamless workflow and communication across teams will be important.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit CV and a portfolio showcasing relevant design work and leadership experience.

• Stage 1 Interview: Likely a screening interview to assess experience, creative approach, and suitability for the role and company culture.

• Stage 2 Interview (In-Person): Candidates invited to the Head Office in Cornwall for an in-person interview. This stage will likely involve a deeper dive into strategic capabilities, team management, and a potential presentation.

• Project/Case Study: A project will be completed as part of the second stage interview process, likely focusing on a design challenge or strategic proposal relevant to Seasalt's business.

• Final Evaluation: Assessment will cover creative vision, strategic thinking, operational management skills, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase projects that demonstrate leadership in multi-category design, trend forecasting, and commercial success. Include examples of how you've driven efficiency or optimized processes within a design context.

• Highlight Operational Rigor: Beyond aesthetics, illustrate your project management skills. Detail your involvement in critical path management, cross-functional collaboration, and how you've ensured on-time delivery of design assets.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the commercial success of collections you've led or contributed to (e.g., sales performance, margin improvements, lead time reductions).

• Showcase Team Leadership: Include examples of how you've developed and managed design teams, fostering a positive and high-performing environment.

• Address Sustainability: Clearly articulate your approach to sustainable and ethical design within your portfolio examples.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Seasalt: Research the brand's heritage, target customer, current collections, and B Corp values. Familiarize yourself with their aesthetic and market positioning.

• Design & Operations Integration: Prepare to discuss how design strategy aligns with business objectives, merchandising plans, and operational constraints. Be ready to articulate how you would manage a design team to meet commercial deadlines and sustainability goals.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate case study questions that might involve developing a mini-collection strategy, identifying market opportunities, or proposing solutions to design-to-production challenges.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you've managed difficult team situations, motivated individuals, or driven change within a creative department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The in-person interview and project requirement for the second stage are significant. Candidates should prepare to travel to Cornwall and dedicate time to a practical assessment. The portfolio must balance creative output with demonstrable operational management and strategic impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency in industry-standard design software for fashion, likely including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for creating design packs, technical drawings, and visual presentations.

• 3D Design Software (Preferred): Experience with 3D design tools (e.g., Browzwear, CLO3D) may be beneficial for visualizing garments and improving fit processes.

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

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar for critical path management, task tracking, and cross-functional collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret sales data, trend reports, and competitor analysis to inform design decisions. Familiarity with business intelligence dashboards.

• Reporting Tools: Experience generating and presenting reports on design performance, market trends, and collection viability.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design integrates with sales and marketing systems (e.g., CRM for customer insights, PIM for product information) is beneficial.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for internal communication and project coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is design, an operations-oriented candidate will leverage their understanding of technology to drive efficiency. Highlighting experience with PLM systems, project management software, and data analysis tools will be crucial for demonstrating their operational capabilities within a creative context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Fostering a culture where new ideas are encouraged and translated into unique, desirable products.

• Sustainability & Ethics: A deep commitment to responsible fashion practices, including circular design and ethical sourcing, embedded in daily operations.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing cross-functional teamwork and open communication to achieve collective goals.

• Customer Focus: Designing collections that resonate with the Seasalt customer, understanding their lifestyle and preferences.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: Upholding high standards in design, material selection, and garment construction.

• Growth Mindset: Encouraging continuous learning, adaptability, and a proactive approach to challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: A strong emphasis on working closely with buying, merchandising, sourcing, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive product development and brand messaging.

• Team Empowerment: A leadership style that motivates, coaches, and develops team members, fostering a supportive and high-performing environment.

• Open Communication: Encouraging feedback exchange and transparent communication to ensure alignment and address challenges proactively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Seasalt's B Corp status and "Best Place to Work" recognition signal a culture that prioritizes ethical practices, employee well-being, and collaboration. This is a key differentiator for candidates and suggests an environment where operational improvements are welcomed if they align with these core values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: Ensuring that innovative and artistic designs are also commercially viable and align with market trends and customer purchasing power.

• Managing a Temporary Role: Stepping into a senior leadership position for a fixed term requires rapid integration, immediate impact, and effective handover planning.

• Geographical Location: For candidates not local to Cornwall, relocation and adapting to a different region while managing a demanding role can be a challenge.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent communication and alignment across multiple departments (design, buying, merchandising, marketing, sourcing) can be complex in a growing company.

• Sustainability Integration: Continuously evolving and embedding sustainable practices into a fast-paced design and production cycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Acumen: Significant opportunity to hone senior leadership and strategic management skills within a creative department.

• Industry Insight: Deepen understanding of the fashion retail lifecycle, from trend forecasting and design to production, merchandising, and marketing.

• Operational Process Optimization: Apply and refine skills in process management, critical path execution, and cross-functional workflow optimization within a fashion context.

• Brand Immersion: Gain in-depth knowledge of a beloved lifestyle brand with a strong ethical and creative identity.

• Networking: Build relationships with senior leaders and cross-functional teams within a well-regarded company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The temporary nature of the role presents both a challenge (requiring quick impact) and a growth opportunity (gaining senior-level experience in a compressed timeframe). Candidates should be prepared to articulate how they would quickly integrate and deliver value.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a seasonal design strategy for Seasalt's womenswear, balancing trend relevance with brand heritage and commercial viability?" (Focus on process, market analysis, and brand alignment.)

• "Describe a time you successfully drove efficiency improvements in a design-to-production workflow. What metrics did you use, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight operational skills, process optimization, and ROI.)

• "How do you ensure alignment between design, buying, and merchandising teams to create commercially successful collections?" (Emphasize collaboration, communication, and understanding of operational dependencies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about Seasalt's brand, its Cornish heritage, and its B Corp status?" (Demonstrate research and alignment with company values.)

• "How do you foster a creative and high-performing team culture, particularly within a hybrid work environment?" (Discuss leadership style, team motivation, and collaboration strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by collection or by type of project (e.g., trend research, product development, team leadership).

• Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the process undertaken (including operational aspects), the challenges faced, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Operations: Specifically point out instances where you managed timelines, optimized workflows, collaborated effectively with other departments, or ensured efficient production.

• Quantify Impact: Use data to support your claims – e.g., sales figures, margin improvements, lead time reductions, team performance metrics.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key highlights efficiently, as interview time is often limited.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Focus: Expect a challenge that requires strategic thinking about product development, trend interpretation, or operational improvement within a fashion context. Practice creating a concise strategic plan or presenting a solution to a hypothetical problem.

• Time Management: Be mindful of time constraints during the project and presentation phase. Practice delivering your points clearly and concisely.

• Stakeholder Perspective: Frame your responses and presentations from the perspective of a senior leader, considering the needs of the business, the team, and the brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application and strategic thinking. Candidates should prepare to articulate their operational approach to design management and demonstrate how they can quickly contribute to Seasalt's goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link, ensuring your CV and cover letter are tailored to highlight your senior design leadership and operational management experience.

• Portfolio Customization: Select and curate portfolio pieces that most effectively demonstrate your strategic design leadership, operational efficiency improvements, team management skills, and understanding of sustainable fashion. Ensure your portfolio clearly illustrates your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience in critical path management, cross-functional collaboration, process optimization within design, and team leadership. Use keywords relevant to fashion design operations and senior management.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your approach to leading a design team, driving operational excellence, and integrating sustainability. Prepare specific examples that showcase your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, especially in a hybrid work environment.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Seasalt Cornwall's brand ethos, Cornish heritage, B Corp commitment, and recent collections to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment during the interview process. Understand their approach to sustainability and ethical production.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided data. All details should be verified directly with Seasalt Cornwall or through their official application portal before making application decisions. The role is a temporary family leave cover; clarify contract duration and potential for extension if relevant.