Location: Milton Keynes Central Office, MK13 8PE
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Hours: Monday to Friday, 39 hours per week
Salary: Dependent on experience
Shape the next chapter of bridal design at wed2b
wed2b is Europe's largest off-the-peg bridal retailer, helping thousands of brides find their dream dress every year across our growing international store network.
We are looking for an accomplished and commercially minded Head Designer to lead our Design function during a 12-month period of maternity cover.
This is a rare opportunity to take creative ownership of an established bridal portfolio spanning wedding dresses, bridesmaids, accessories and wider apparel. You will define the creative direction of our collections, lead products from initial concept through to final sample, and ensure every design is distinctive, beautifully executed and commercially relevant.
This is not a purely conceptual role. You will be equally comfortable setting the vision, reviewing performance data, working directly with suppliers and factories, and getting hands-on with the detailed design and development process.
The role
Reporting to the Head of Merchandising & Design, you will:
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Set and lead the creative direction across all wed2b collections.
- Define seasonal trends, silhouettes, fabrics, construction techniques and product opportunities.
- Oversee the full design and sampling process, from initial concept through to final approval.
- Make confident final decisions on product, quality, fit and creative execution.
- Use customer insight, sales performance and commercial data to shape the range.
- Work closely with Merchandising on seasonal planning, category strategy, margin and range performance.
- Lead the creative direction and delivery of campaign, editorial and lookbook shoots.
- Manage the annual editorial shoot plan and associated budget.
- Build strong relationships with factories and suppliers, guiding fabric sourcing, innovation, quality and production.
- Lead, coach and support the Senior Designer.
- Represent the Design function across the wider business and work collaboratively with Merchandising, Buying, Marketing, Retail and our international teams.
Travel internationally to work with factories, attend bridal trade shows and support the continued development of our brands.
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The Head Designer retains overall accountability for the Design function, combining strategic leadership with the ability to step into detailed design, development and execution whenever required.
About you
You will be an experienced fashion or bridal designer with the creative authority, technical expertise and commercial judgement to lead an established design function.
You will ideally bring:
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A fashion-related degree or equivalent qualification.
- At least five years' experience within a fashion or bridal design role.
- Strong creative leadership and a clear point of view.
- Expert knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, fit and production.
- Experience managing products through the complete design and sampling process.
- Strong commercial awareness and confidence interpreting sales and performance data.
- Experience working directly with overseas factories and suppliers.
- Excellent communication, influencing and decision-making skills.
- A highly organised, adaptable and hands-on approach.
- The flexibility to travel within the UK and internationally.
Why wed2b?
This is an opportunity to influence collections that are seen, tried on and loved by thousands of brides across Europe.
You will join an ambitious, fast-moving business where design has a direct and visible impact. Our scale provides genuine commercial insight, while our exclusive brands and close supplier relationships offer the freedom to create products that are both aspirational and accessible.
For the right designer, this is a high-profile role with real creative ownership, international exposure and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to one of bridal retail's most distinctive success stories.
