This individual will need to effectively lead and manage multidisciplinary internal and external teams that include brand design, industrial design, equipment design, experiential design, UI/UX, and design innovation. They will need to partner closely and influence cross-functional teams, including marketing, consumer insights, R&D, and operations to successfully deliver strategically aligned and commercially viable projects. S/he will be responsible for the co-creation, management, and execution of a comprehensive 360 brand design and equipment innovation strategy that will impact the growth agendas for the brand. The Head of Design will be a Creative Leader who engages internally and externally through storytelling. S/he will be responsible for all aspects of the front-end design process, ranging from problem definition, performing and analyzing consumer research, to brainstorming and visualizing ideas. S/he is fueled by imagination and creativity and likes the challenge of creating what has not yet been created. S/he helps solve unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on business growth. They are also focused on new creations driven through the lens of the brand’s consumer.

The person in this role will be accountable for supporting the development and delivery of a wide range of 360 brand design priorities from initial ideation, through concept development, to commercialization. The person in this role will work closely with internal and external partners to develop design projects that satisfy consumer needs and the growth of the brand. This means creatively conceptualizing innovative brand design systems and planning, organizing, and implementing consistent design/production principles.

Main objectives :

• Instrumental to drive, accelerate and strengthen the growth & development of the Design and Innovation capability within the brand.
• Creative leadership/management of 360 Design across all consumer touch points.
• Close creative collaboration and connection with design capability and leadership based in NY.
• Co-lead and develop the Innovation agenda with business and R&D stakeholders.
• Strengthen and develop further collaboration with all functions to unlock stronger and more effective design solutions across the business.

Key accountabilities :

Informing and co-creating the brand design/ innovation strategy

• Capable of defining a holistic Brand and Experience strategy from brand design to Equipment, Accessories, Retail Packaging and Consumables, including Digital communications
• Strategic Design Leadership: Demonstrates an ability to understand the technical, social and emotional values that have critical business significance. Maintain a flow of value through the integration of the business strategies, market and social trends, and available technologies. Develop and adjust strategies and/or processes to meet changing market and competitive conditions.
• Close partnership with cross-functional teams contributing design thinking leadership for initiatives that generate critical business value.
• Provides design leadership around trends and testing, customer research, strategic planning, and holistic design principles.

Executing the global/local strategy

• Design Project Management: Responsible for partnering across disciplines within the brand and external suppliers to ensure design assets are developed and delivered with quality, value, and on-time and within budget. Ensures each stakeholder understands his/her role and responsibilities throughout the creative process. Regularly reviews the status of projects with appropriate leadership to verify that Company expectations are met.
• Energizes and leads external design resources from idea phase to commercialization.
• Responsible for driving to final design recommendations, decisions and design approval to enable artwork execution / production phases.
• Connecting the brand Design Organization Globally: Partners regularly with Design, and business teams in NY. Supports the development of global design culture.

Build local expertise

• Talent Development : As the design function grows over time, responsible for hiring, leading and mentoring internal staff. Establishes objectives, supervises activities, and coaches & manages performance. Leads the expansion of talent bench depth, building office atmosphere and coaching teams to win.
• Acts as the lead for the design organization helping to build and cultivate a strong internal and external design network.

Experience :

• Require a senior person who can build, drive and influence a new culture for Design within the brand.
• Experience leading Brand Design, Industrial Design, Equipment Design, UI/UX and Design Innovation
• 15+ years of experience in a variety of positions both in house and agency
• Ideally have experience of Brand Design in a white goods industry. Being responsible for brand strategy for equipment and consumable portfolio.
• Highly analytical, motivated, decisive thought leader with excellent managerial skills.
• Strategic mindset with an ability to think broadly, refine questions, and influence multiple decision makers.
• Highly collaborative & demonstrated success building trust-based relationships across different functions and cultures.
• Track record of taking calculated risks for the long-term benefit of the organization.
• Global acumen and curiosity to understand global macro-trends and potential impacts on business and the design function.
• Communication skills able to educate and influence management and senior leaders through written and verbal communication.
• Analytical and negotiating skills as evidence by high intelligence, strong financial and analytical capabilities and the proven ability to develop, sell and drive suitable partnerships, alliances, or other transactions to closure
• Passionate and knowledgeable about sustainability.