Creative Director

**Job no**: 996753
**Work type**: Full-Time
**Location**: Melbourne - CBD & Inner
**Categories**: Design & Development

**_Country Road Group (CRG) is embarking on transformation to position itself for growth, leveraging our scale, capabilities and culture as a House of Brands. We are investing in new and existing capabilities and have a number of exciting opportunities available._**

The Creative Director is responsible for creating and communicating the overall design vision of the Country Road product, ensuring it aligns with the brand's aesthetics and strategic objectives. This role oversees the development of design concepts and their accurate translation into complete and timely digital tech packs, driving consistency and excellence across the product range. The Head of Design works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the range meets the company’s financial targets and strategic goals, maintaining the brand’s integrity and market positioning.

This role is responsible for leading, inspiring and cultivating a high performing team that attracts and retains top talent.

**Key Accountabilities**
- Creative Direction:_
- Research and forecast forward trends and colour concepts to present to the Design teams each season
- Provide regular updates to the team on in-season updates/ ideas and inspirations for ideas to enhance each departments collection
- Provide direction on concept and colour boards
- Partner with brand leader, C&D and Marketing teams on translating the design vision into store, online and marketing campaigns.
- Ranging:_
- Responsible for the creative vision for the department, - encompassing key trends, colour, styling and key items
- Ensure that the range supports the product charter, aligned to brand essence, reinforcing brand position.
- Identify core items that will drive the business
- Presentation of creative vision and range at buy and VM handover
- Partner with Production to ensure the execution of high-quality product and innovative fabrications.
- Product Design:_
- Oversee Design team to create concepts and design products with clear sketches
- Oversee Tech Design team in translating creative ideas into accurate, complete and timely tech packs Ensure all products meet 1) creative and aesthetic objectives 2) quality, functionality, construction and fit-for-purpose standards across all categories 3) regulatory and safety requirements, such as product labelling and packaging 4) financial parameters as set by Buyer
- Oversee fit, material and construction and all details to ensure it aligns with the brand
- Sourcing & Product Development:_
- Collaborate with overseas agents and key vendors to communicate styling and design concepts
- Brief offshore agents/vendors to meet the requirements of the product - provide spec sheets and work with vendors and agents on selection of raw materials and components
- Ensure that quality standards are understood and adhered to via agent and vendor base in conjunction with the technical design team
- Ensure supplier base is covering all requirements, and in conjunction with the sourcing team, source new suppliers, to ensure the business meets sales & GP, ensuring flexibility, speed to market and a focus on sustainability.
- Stakeholder Management:_
- Collaborate with Buyers, Designers, and Production teams to ensure designs meet creative vision and commercial objectives, and meet quality, and timely delivery of prototypes
- Collaborate with vendors by providing clear briefs, attending fittings, and offering technical feedback
- Travel:_
- Attend overseas trips with Buying team to get creative inspiration and additionally to guide design team on styles, colour and fabrications.
- People & Leadership:_
- Drive a performance driven culture through a focus on the development of team members skills and capability
- Ensure performance management processes are implemented in line with HR guidelines to support the succession planning process
- Take full responsibility for the outcomes of the function, ensuring it aligns with the broader business strategy and delivers on key objectives
- Create & foster an inclusive environment where all team members can thrive and feel included, respected and safe. Set clear expectations of behaviour and hold self and others accountable
- Collaborate across group, building team cohesion and connection, to inspire and bring our House of Brands strategy to life.

**Key Capabilities**
- Bachelor’s degree in design, or other related experience
- 7-10 years of experience within Design, with extensive experience in a leadership role across multiple product categories including Womenswear, Accessories & Childrenswear
- Ability to identify key trends and create and implement seasonal product vision
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels.

**Why work for CRG?**

The Country Road Group is one of Australasia’s largest Lifesty