SENIOR DESIGNER - PERFORMANCE & TECHNICAL ACTIVEWEAR
A London-based performance apparel brand is hiring a Senior Designer to take real ownership of product direction as the business scales.
This isn’t a fashion-led role. It sits firmly in technical performance apparel - product designed for training, running and high-intensity movement, where how it performs on the body matters just as much as how it looks.
The brand has built a strong following off the back of quality, function and consistency. They don’t chase trends. They focus on getting product right. They’re now at the point where that needs to be led properly.
Up until now, design has been heavily founder-led. That’s worked, but as the range grows and the business moves forward, they need someone senior enough to come in, bring ideas and help shape what the product looks like over the next few years.
This is one of those roles where you’re not just executing someone else’s vision. You’re helping define it.
The focus of the role
* Take ownership of design direction across the range
* Help shape what the product looks like over the next 1–3 years
* Bring strong, performance-led ideas into a brand that already has a clear point of view
* Work closely with development and product leadership to make sure ideas translate properly into finished product
* Build product that solves real problems, not just fills a range plan
What you’ll be doing day to day
* Leading seasonal design work from concept through to final CAD
* Building out ranges that feel consistent, considered and commercially right
* Working closely with development on fabrics, trims and finishes
* Taking part in fit sessions and wear testing, making sure product actually performs
* Reviewing samples and prototypes to keep design intent intact
* Helping evolve how the design function operates as the business grows
* Contributing to range planning and keeping things moving to timeline
Why this role stands out
* You’ll have genuine influence, not just input
* The team is small enough that good ideas actually get used
* You’re not buried in layers of approval or internal politics
* You’ll see your work move quickly from idea to finished product
* The brand sits in a genuinely interesting part of the market - performance-led, product-first
* It’s a chance to step into a role where you can shape something, not just maintain it
What they’re looking for
* Strong background in performance apparel, sportswear or technical activewear
* Someone who understands how garments need to function, not just how they look
* A designer who can bring ideas and direction, not just follow a brief
* Good commercial instinct alongside creative ability
* Experience working closely with development teams
* Comfortable in a smaller, founder-led environment where there’s visibility and pace
* Ideally someone who naturally connects with training, movement or performance product
The reality
This isn’t a huge corporate environment with everything perfectly structured. It’s a growing brand.
That means:
* things move quickly
* there’s more visibility
* and you’re expected to take ownership
The upside is simple - you get to make a real impact.
If your experience is more fashion-led than performance-led, it’s probably not the right fit.
If you’ve worked on product where performance genuinely matters and want a role where you can shape direction, it’s a very strong opportunity.