Job Description

Design Manager

Application Deadline: 8 June 2026

Department: Design

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Sarah Wilkinson

As Disturbia continues to grow, we are delighted to announce that we are recruiting for the role of Design Manager. Our aesthetic is rooted in the whimsical, dark romantic, and esoteric; think celestial motifs, folk magic, alchemical symbols, dreamy botanicals, and vintage occult references. We're looking for someone who can work with our designers to turn these inspirations into captivating, wearable designs that enchant and empower our customers.

As Design Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the design process and execution of the brand’s design direction. Reporting to the Design Director, you will work alongside the buying, fabric, and technical team to drive creative innovation within the critical path timelines and commercial framework of the business. You will bring your design mentorship to the team and lead initiatives using sales performance and consumer data to drive decision making and will exercise a flexible working approach, with the ability to adapt to the operational needs of the team.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership: Inspire, motivate, and mentor designers across various product categories and disciplines fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. Offer constructive feedback on product development and drive the creative direction through key outfits and print stories.
Innovate Promote innovation through fabric and trim sourcing, trend research, and market insights, with sustainability and our customers in mind. Lead creative initiatives using operational performance assessment, sales, and consumer data.
Team Development: Drive skill growth, and career progression within the Design team and oversee workflow, ensure effective KPIs, and act as the lead representative in cross-department communications.

Resourcing: Plan, schedule and manage the team resource in alignment with key critical path dates.

Systems: Lead our PLM systems for managing product development through each stage of the collection creation.

Budgeting: Co-ordinate and oversee allocation of the budget in relation to inspiration research and freelance designers.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• You will have multi product design experience at design lead or management level.
• Exceptional people management, communication and presentation skills
• A strong understanding of fabric and garment construction across multiple product types
• Comprehensive knowledge of the product development process for short and long lead development and key critical path challenges
• Experience working with international factories, mills, and print houses
• Confident working knowledge of Adobe illustrator, Powerpoint and Excel
• Familiar with the use of standardised PLM systems
• A highly developed eye, with the ability to steer product design and well considered collections
• Demonstrate a flexible working approach, diligence, and the ability to adapt to the operational needs of the team
• An interest in or understanding of the cultural references and customer profile associated with the brand
• Strong commercial understanding; with confidence with budgets, operational outputs, workflow and budget management.

Benefits

• 25 days of holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to increase with length of service;
• The opportunity to partake in our company bonus scheme;
• Private Health Insurance;
• Flexible working times and hybrid working;
• Cycle to work scheme;
• Up to 50% company discount;
• Discounts with high street retailers;
• Company parties twice a year;
• Birthday treats.