Footwear Designer

Working style | Hybrid

NEXT Wholly Owned Brands…

Our growing portfolio includes Lipsy, Love & Roses, Friends Like These, Beauty at NEXT, Cerene and Seraphine — all available through next.co.uk, connecting with millions of customers across the UK and beyond.

At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.

About the role

The Designer leads the process of design and development for the footwear department, building a balanced and comprehensive product offer with the required pricing structure and margin. This role offers constant newness combined with commerciality and a strong affinity for fast fashion, heavily influenced by the latest catwalk and trend predictions.

Role Responsibilities

Design & Creative Leadership

• Take responsibility for the design, development, and delivery of relevant, trend-led products for a specific area.
• Produce overarching concepts, trends, and storyboards, including mood and trend boards seasonally with associated color palettes and print research.
• Manage and provide clear design direction to the Design Assistant, including planning their daily workload.
• Present new product ranges confidently to management and buying teams.
• Conduct research trips to key fashion hubs like NYC, Paris, and London to identify product opportunities for all areas of the business.
• Liaise directly with the sample room and brief designs to creative pattern cutters to ensure technical execution matches the creative vision.

Technical & Commercial Execution

• Maintain a deep understanding of pricing, margins, and the "design to price point" process.
• Plan the development trip calendar and travel to India and China to actively develop products and build the range.
• Collaborate with production teams on all order approvals and resolve any costing issues.
• Manage own time effectively to meet all deadlines and complete ad-hoc duties to ensure the continuous development of the business.
• Continually aim for self-development, actively seeking support and guidance from the Line Manager.

Your Talent

• Previous design experience from a high street fashion retailer or supplier.
• Previous experience in women's footwear is essential.
• Excellent free-hand fashion illustration and technical garment drawing skills.
• Demonstrable awareness of the retail industry, including trends, potential threats, and opportunities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a spirit that rises to challenges.

Diversity & Inclusion

We recognise that our differences are what make us who we are. We want people to want to work for us and be their true selves. We are dedicated to attracting and developing a talent team, and recognise that all unique backgrounds and experiences contribute to our future success.

We want to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where individuals feel valued and respected, and where people can achieve their full potential and be their very best, whoever they are.

Wellbeing

We believe that wellbeing is having the opportunity to achieve your full potential, cope with day to day pressures, be productive and thrive in all aspects of your life. We encourage a culture that promotes and enables us all to achieve positive wellbeing, by focusing on mental, physical and financial health.