Head of Design

**Job no**: 999132
**Work type**: Full-Time
**Location**: Melbourne - CBD & Inner
**Categories**: Design & Development

We are thrilled to offer an exciting leadership opportunity at Mimco for an experienced and visionary Head of Design to lead our talented team of Designers and Technical Designers.

Reporting directly to the General Manager of Mimco, this role is central to shaping and communicating the brand’s design direction. You’ll be responsible for driving the creative vision of Mimco’s product offering, ensuring every collection aligns with our brand aesthetic, strategic objectives, and customer promise.

This is a highly collaborative role, requiring close partnership with cross-functional teams across Buying, Planning, Product Development, Marketing, E-Commerce, and Retail. You’ll ensure product ranges meet both creative aspirations and commercial goals, maintaining the integrity and market positioning of the brand while ensuring a cohesive and consistent product expression season after season.

As a key member of the Mimco leadership team, you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of the brand. You'll be a champion for change, a natural collaborator, and a leader who fosters a safe, inclusive, and high-performing environment that empowers creativity and innovation.

**Key Accountabilities**

**Trend Leadership & Research**
- Act as a thought leader by identifying and translating emerging trends in design, colour, fabric, print, and silhouette.
- Conduct seasonal research and forecasting to develop forward-thinking trend and colour concepts, presenting findings to key stakeholders.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams to share in-season updates, ideas, and creative inspiration.
- Work with the Buying team to ensure that design decisions align with commercial objectives and market viability.

**Creative Direction & Product Alignment**
- Lead the creation and maintenance of concept and colour trend boards.
- Oversee fit, materials, and construction to ensure product alignment with brand standards, aesthetic, and quality expectations.
- Campaign & Brand Execution
- Collaborate with the Creative Director, Buying, VM, Customer & Digital, and Marketing teams to translate the design vision across retail, digital, and campaign touchpoints.

**Team Leadership & Product Development**
- Lead the Design team in developing concepts and products that meet brand creative direction, quality standards, and regulatory requirements, while aligning with planning and buying parameters.
- Work with overseas agents and key vendors to clearly communicate styling and design concepts, in partnership with Sourcing and Product Development.

**Team Development & Culture**
- Inspire and lead a high-performing design team, fostering collaboration and accountability.
- Promote a performance-driven culture through skills development and capability building.

**Change Leadership & Strategic Alignment**
- Embrace and lead through transformation, enabling strategic shifts with clarity, empathy, and optimism.
- Foster strong cross-brand and cross-functional collaboration to bring the House of Brands strategy to life.

**Key Capabilities**
- Proven experience in leading design teams within a fashion, accessories or lifestyle brand.
- A strong portfolio demonstrating your ability to lead conceptual and commercially viable product collections.
- Deep understanding of brand strategy and customer-centric design.
- Demonstrated leadership capability with a focus on team development, collaboration, and innovation.
- A passion for storytelling through product, and an appreciation of the Mimco customer and purpose.

**Why Work for the Country Road Group?**

Country Road Group is one of Australasia’s most respected Lifestyle Brand Houses, home to iconic labels such as Country Road, POLITIX, Trenery, Witchery, and MIMCO. Working with the Group means being part of a company that values innovation, quality, and community. Employees benefit from:

- Exclusive perks, including generous employee discounts and seasonal clothing allowances.
- Work-life balance, supported by flexible working arrangements and a paid day off on your birthday.
- Progressive policies, like an industry-leading Parental Leave Program and comprehensive learning and development opportunities through an annual learning calendar.
- A values-driven culture, with strong commitments to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and community partnerships through its Corporate Social Responsibility Program.

Country Road Group is more than just a workplace — it’s a community where you can grow professionally, be supported personally, and contribute to meaningful, positive change.

**About Mimco**

Part of the Country Road Group, Mimco creates contemporary designs that empower individual style and self-expression. Born in 1996 with a passion for creativity, we take pride in our rich Australian heritage. For over 25 years, we’ve been sketching