About: NO UNIFORM, founded in 2002 by designer Nicholas Oakwell, is an award-winning uniform design company and the leading provider of bespoke uniform designs in the UK. Serving clients from a variety of sectors including hospitality, financial services, and cosmetics, NO UNIFORM creates designs that align with clients' brands while embracing current fashion trends. NO UNIFORM offers a complete, integrated service from design conception to production, ensuring seamless support for initial orders and future reorders.
No Uniform is looking for a full-time Head of Design to join the team in London, leading and managing the design team, overseeing end-to-end design processes, and ensuring the creative vision aligns with client brands and No Uniform’s design ethos.
Responsibilities include collaborating on design projects, managing client relationships, providing innovative design solutions, and overseeing adherence to quality standards during production. You will contribute to the development of branded, bespoke uniforms that balance practicality and contemporary aesthetics.
Key Responsibilities of the Head of Design:
Lead the end-to-end design and development process for bespoke uniform collections, from concept creation and mood boards through to final sampling and production.
Translate client brand identities into distinctive, commercially viable uniform collections that balance creativity, functionality, and operational performance.
Direct fabric sourcing, colour palette development, trims, and finishing details, ensuring alignment with quality, sustainability, and budget requirements.
Collaborate closely with product development, sourcing, and production teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, cost-effective, and delivered on schedule.
Present design concepts, collection proposals, and seasonal developments to clients and internal stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
Mentor and develop junior designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, innovations in textiles, and developments within luxury hospitality and workplace apparel.
Champion sustainable design practices and contribute to the ongoing evolution of NO Uniform's design standards and product offering.
Reporting to the Creative Director and Managing Director as part of the executive team.
What No Uniform is looking for…
Education:
A minimum of 10 years' experience within fashion, apparel, uniform design, or a related industry
Experience & Skills:
At least 3 years in a senior design or leadership role.
Bachelor's / Master’s degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, Apparel Technology, or a related discipline.
Skilled in Illustrator and Photoshop
Proven experience leading the full design lifecycle, from research and concept development through to production and launch.
Strong portfolio demonstrating the ability to create innovative, commercially successful collections.
Excellent knowledge of garment construction, fit, pattern development, textiles, and fabric performance.
Experience managing and mentoring creative teams, freelancers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Demonstrated understanding of sustainable sourcing, ethical manufacturing, and responsible product development practices.
Strong commercial awareness, balancing creative excellence with client requirements, operational needs, and business objectives.
Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, demonstrating adaptability, initiative, and problem-solving capability.
Proven ability to engage directly with clients, interpret brand standards, and translate operational requirements into exceptional uniform solutions.
Passion for luxury hospitality, craftsmanship, and exceptional customer experience.
Strong creative vision combined with commercial pragmatism.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused.
Comfortable representing NO Uniform with senior client stakeholders and industry partners.
Experience working with luxury hospitality, hotel, resort, private members' club, airline, cruise, or premium service brands is a plus
What No Uniform offers:
Pensions Auto-Enrolment
6 Sick pay at full pay
24 days holiday
Day off for your birthday
Team events
Discretionary clothing provision
Health Insurance
Season Loan ticket scheme
Application
If you’re ready to lead with vision and design with purpose, we’d love to see your work. Send us your CV, portfolio, and a short note about a collection you’ve designed that you’re most proud of—and why.
