DESIGNER L8 PRINT WOMENSWEAR

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a designer who is passionate about print and evolving trends to join the WW Print design team. You must be passionate about fashion, and stay informed and up to date about inspirational print design (catwalks), social media and also our competition (High street). As a Designer in the Print Design Profession, you will be responsible for designing, developing and delivering original, relevant, customer-centric and distinct best in class own brand products, utilising customer insights, to inspire, excite and delight our customers and deliver planned growth for categories, ensuring it aligns to the overall strategic direction. You will take a key role designing print for womenswear product and design briefs, working independently, alongside or in collaboration with the wider Design, Buying and supplier community. Working flexibly, you will provide support where there is the largest demand / tightest deadlines with the product categories.

• Partnership salary full range - £33,000 - £51,700
• Expected salary - Up to £40,000 (dependent on experience)
• Contract type - This position is a Secondment/Fixed Term contract until October 2026
• Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you can work a mix between the office and home. The expectation is three in-person days per week, which can include time spent on store visits and meeting brands/suppliers. For Fashion Design this is generally Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
• Location - This role is based at our London Head Office campus in Pimlico. Travel costs to the office are the responsibility of the successful candidate. There is no travel allowance for this role.
• Next steps - The application process requires you to upload recent portfolio / examples of your work as well as your CV and application answers. If invited to attend an interview, you will be required to provide your portfolio to the assessors and present a small project that will be provided to you in advance. Interviews will be held in person at our head office in Pimlico on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th September 2025.

Key responsibilities

• Design
  • Play a critical role in delivering product design that forms a coherent category assortment aligned to brand / sub-brand guidelines and supports customers. Support the Design Team and studio in fulfilling key tasks across the season.
  • Produce commercial and innovative design solutions to briefs. Develop a consistent design handwriting to ensure our customer offer is truly unique.
  • Assist in researching, preparing and presenting relevant category trends. Demonstrate research and analytical skills to stay abreast of customer requirements, market trends and conditions, product trends including technological advancements.
  • Ensure the sampling process is efficient for the sub-category. Produce precise design packs and fulfil seasonal design briefs with commercial and innovative solutions, sourcing materials, and detailing. Maintain comprehensive records of design projects.
  • Work on designated product ranges/projects. Take ownership of design, product development and sampling, engaging relevant stakeholders with support from the L6 Designer and L5 Design Manager.
  • Bring proficiency in design software (e.g., Adobe Suite, CAD, AI or Clo3D) and be able to bring designs to life digitally.
  • Where applicable, deliver task management for L9 Design Assistants to achieve and deliver work, aligned with business outcomes and with the voice of the customer at the heart of decision making.
  • EU and International travel may be required to develop products as appropriate.

Stakeholder Management

• Support success-driven cross-department collaboration through effective stakeholder relationships.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.

Continuous Improvement

• Demonstrate a Continuous Improvement mindset.
• Think boldly and view issues and opportunities from multiple perspectives to make recommendations that adjust strategy and outcomes; generate workable options and overcome barriers to solutions.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Proven experience working as a Print Designer.
• Demonstrated ability to translate design concepts into production-ready sketches and technical specifications using technology (e.g., Adobe, Clo3D and AI).
• A general awareness of current fashion trends and a passion for fashion with a willingness to research and learn about trends.
• Experience in preparing design presentations and technical packages.
• Good knowledge of pattern making, sewing, and garment construction or other relevant technical experience, plus an understanding of textiles and materials.
• A strong portfolio showcasing fashion design skills within print.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the John Lewis Partnership brand, sub-brands values and potential for product design to drive commercial outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, written and verbal, with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Design experience in the retail industry.

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• BA degree in Design (product, fashion, furniture, textiles, surface pattern, decorative arts).
• Specific sub-category design experience (e.g., Knit, Jeans) and a demonstrable portfolio.

Important notes: Some roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks). If required, you'll be informed and provided information about vetting during recruitment. Any DBS checks will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some roles.

We recommend applying as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We support flexible working where possible; discuss details with the hiring manager during your interview.

The partnership

We're the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home of our brands John Lewis and Waitrose. We're not just employees, we're Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. We're focused on retail excellence and continue to innovate, adapt and diversify, while upholding value and service.

As Partners we share ownership and contribute to success, working together with kindness and respect. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and grow.

As Partners, we make all the difference. We all own it.