Head of Product Design

Are you looking for a Head of Product Design role where you can make a real impact in a fast growing creative business?

As creative as you are commercial, you will lead the creation of exceptional product and prints, delighting our customers and driving the growth of our brand. With a passion for design and storytelling, you will manage all parts of the creative process, from research and strategy, to concept development right through to implementation whilst managing a team of designers.

Reporting into the Founders and Managing Director, you will bring a wealth of experience to deliver product collections throughout the year (both licensed and non licensed), using initiative, organisation and strategic thinking.

This is the ideal role for someone who loves the meeting of creativity and commerciality, and has a desire to be part of an internationally growing business with a vision to be the leading creators of innovative storytelling in entertainment.

YOUR ROLE

• Lead a team of designers to create and deliver exceptional in-house MinaLima products, packaging and art prints from initial conception right through to production.
• Create a rhythm of delivering product collections throughout the year, both licensed and non licensed.
• Guide, inspire and nurture the team through all aspects of the design process from research, design exploration, development, copywriting and sampling.
• Providing the creative vision and brand guardianship to grow our product and print offering, being responsible for delivering unique, authentic and desirable ranges that our fans and customers will love, making sure the quality and consistency remains high across all your projects.
• Working strategically with the wider retail team to develop considered ideas which balance creativity with commerciality, meeting the needs of the different aspects of the business, whilst staying true to the MinaLima ethos.
• Working closely with our Head of Production and artworker to create innovative and exceptional merchandise.
• Demonstrating confidence in working with different materials, finishes and setting files up for print, with a good awareness of how manufacturing processes can impact design choices.
• Work closely with the Branding and Marketing teams to translate creative assets into compelling commercial merchandise.
• Drive continuous improvement by optimising existing ways of working and introducing new product processes and approaches.
• Manage and mentor a team of designers.

REQUIREMENTS

• Graphic Design BA Hons or equivalent qualification.
• Experience designing for B2C within the retail sector.
• 9+ years relevant experience working within design for relevant brands with an exceptional portfolio demonstrating creative excellence.
• Expert skills across the Adobe Suite.
• Passionate about the MinaLima brand, aesthetic and ethos. Demonstrating similar aesthetic tastes and values in order to serve as a strong brand gatekeeper. A fan of the Wizarding World is a plus!
• Exceptional attention to detail, demonstrating high standards across everything you do.
• Highly organised with excellent project management skills, you must be able to manage a team across multiple projects in a high-paced environment whilst delivering excellent results.
• Excellent knowledge of manufacturing processes, product design experience and great technical knowledge of product and packaging design.
• Sharp consumer focus and commercial sensibilities balanced with design originality.
• Strong language skills as the role requires copywriting.
• Strong leadership presence with outstanding communication, presentation and mentorship abilities.

THE STUDIO

Welcome to Minalima! Founded in 2009 by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, the graphic designers who imagined and created the graphic universe of the Harry Potter™ film series for Warner Bros. Their partnership has flourished through all the subsequent films with their prop designs inspiring a range of merchandise products and art prints. This has enabled our Retail arm “The Art Printorium” to continue to expand and we are now a very successful small business with robust international growth plans to scale our business ×10 in the next 5 years.

WHO WE ARE

We believe in making a difference through our craft; amazing our fans, clients and our people through positive experiences and the passion with which we deliver our work. We live by a set of values and behaviours which act as a compass for our people. Craft, Care, Curiosity, Courage and Community are at the centre of all we do. At Minalima:

• We strive for great and are unapologetic in pursuit of excellence in our craft.
• We work with courage and conviction in delivering magical experiences and outcomes.
• We own our growth and take responsibility for our progress.
• We try new things and take thoughtful risks.
• We support and nurture our people, our brand and our fans.
• We are open, welcoming and inclusive at all levels and we treat everyone with respect.

THE DETAILS

• Permanent role
• 40 hours per week, full time
• Working within our Soho, London studio
• You must have the Right to Work in the UK
• Salary dependent on experience

BENEFITS

• 25 days holiday + public holidays
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Company bonus scheme
• Work from home policy
• Comprehensive employee assistance programme
• Staff discount at House of MinaLima