Lead Product Designer

Overview

In this Lead Fashion Designer role, you will steer the creative direction for Chelsea FC’s apparel and lifestyle lines across men’s, women’s, and kidswear. You’ll translate the club’s heritage into contemporary collections that appeal to supporters and fashion-conscious consumers, balancing design vision with commercial viability. You’ll shape seasonal direction and lead product development from concept to launch, collaborating with cross-functional partners and external brands. This is a mission-driven opportunity to push Chelsea FC into the football fashion space as a recognized leader.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development of men’s, women’s, kids’ and lifestyle collections
• Support Head of Product in shaping seasonal product strategy and design direction
• Create concepts, colour palettes, graphics and range stories inspired by football, fashion and culture
• Translate trends and Chelsea FC heritage into commercially successful products
• Manage and mentor the Junior Product Designer
• Collaborate with Product Development, Merchandising, Brand, Retail, Licensing and external partners (Nike, Fanatics)
• Present seasonal concepts and range direction to senior stakeholders and partners
• Ensure designs meet high standards of quality and brand consistency while aligning with seasonal timelines

Key requirements

• Significant experience designing sportswear, streetwear, lifestyle or branded apparel collections
• Strong multi-category design experience across menswear, womenswear, kidswear and lifestyle products
• Excellent understanding of colour, graphics, fabrication, fit and garment construction
• Strong awareness of football culture, fashion trends and consumer behaviour
• Creative thinker with strong commercial instincts and product judgement
• Experience leading and developing junior design talent
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills
• Confident working with senior leaders, external partners and suppliers
• Advanced Adobe Creative Suite, CAD and presentation skills

• communication
• stakeholder management
• presentation
• Adobe Creative Suite
• CAD
• presentation skills

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