Stationery Design Manager

As the Stationery Design Manager at Papier, you will play a crucial role in leading and inspiring the paper stationery design team. Your responsibilities will include setting trends within the stationery market by conducting design research and establishing category direction. To achieve this, you should possess an extensive knowledge of design trends ranging from illustration, and graphics to trends to deliver exceptional stationery designs that align with the overall creative vision of the organization.

In addition to designing, you will foster and develop a team of talented stationery designers, creating an inclusive, diverse, and agile environment. You will set standards, develop your team to meet them, and encourage a growth mindset to continuously improve.

Our mission is to redefine the stationery category for the modern consumer. This role requires a creative vision and thinking outside the box to deliver our design vision. You should be brimming with creative energy and propose new stationery design ideas to create exciting and constantly evolving designs that push the brand forward.

Working closely with the Chief Product Officer, you will be an integral part of growing and developing Papier's in-house design handwriting, which will transform the brand into a global stationery lifestyle brand. Your leadership, creative vision, and ability to inspire and develop your team will be essential to the success of Papier's stationery design team.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Design Delivery

• As the Design Manager, your main responsibility is to oversee the entire paper stationery design process from concept to product development, ensuring that all designs are of the quality and consistency required for manufacturing across different printers globally. In addition to this, you will be responsible for designing relevant products 50% of the time and working with the Design Studio Manager to manage resources and freelancers to deliver the design strategy as required.
• You will work closely with the Chief Product Officer to develop seasonal design concepts that adhere to the overall brand vision. You will be the custodian of the Papier design identity within the Stationery Design team and will be responsible for ensuring that all designs created by the Stationery Design Team adhere to this by holding regular feedback sessions.
• To ensure that the team stays up-to-date with emerging trends and new ideas, you will need to maintain awareness of the industry landscape and translate these trends into new designs. You will also be responsible for pushing designs forward by organizing regular competitive shopping and inspiration activities and championing Papier’s creative visual tone of voice.
• As a Design Manager, you will work alongside other designers and departments to assist in developing new designs while maintaining effective communication throughout. Collaborating with the Buying and Merchandising teams, you will ensure that the ranges are commercially viable while also pushing design boundaries.
• You will be responsible for presenting stationery team designs for sign-off to the Chief Product Officer, as well as presenting designs with confidence and clarity to key cross-functional stakeholders including Buying, Merchandising, Marketing, Operations and Tech teams.
• You will also collaborate with the Marketing, Operations, and Tech teams to ensure that designs are planned and communicated clearly to key stakeholders and that the go-to-market strategy is effectively executed.

Team Coaching and Development

• You will work closely with the Chief Product Officer to steer the development and progression of the Stationery Design team by identifying training and development needs, providing clear objectives, and supporting structure and succession planning.
• You will also build, grow, and lead a Stationery Design team that aligns with the company's wider strategy. To support the career development of direct reports, you will hold regular PD sessions, coach them to identify areas for their own improvement and contribute towards their professional growth. Building rapport with your direct reports is essential to creating a sense of team belonging and structure. Finally, you will be responsible for necessary recruitment and induction planning and any other HR processes required.

Requirements

• Proven track record of designing and producing design-led products, with a strong portfolio to support
• Excellent proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.
• A strong interest and understanding in print & stationery design with a knowledge of paper stock, print techniques and print production including preparing artwork for print and web.
• Attention to detail with excellent typography, illustration & layout skills
• Excellent track-record in managing and supporting creative talent, with previous line-management experience a must.
• Background in presenting design work with confidence and clarity to senior stakeholders and external clients.
• The ability to work at pace and previous experience of delivering multiple consistent design projects in a fast paced environment
• Flexibility and willingness to react quickly to changing demands of the business

Benefits

• We recognise the need for a work-life balance and offer a hybrid working model of 2 -3 days in the office at Maison Papier, our lovely Camden office.
• 25 days annual leave per year + buy an extra five days.
• 20 days per year to Work from Anywhere.
• Private medical and rewards scheme with Vitality Health (including 50% off gym memberships with Virgin Active, Pure Gym and more).
• Enrolment into the Papier Pension scheme through the People Pension.
• Enhanced parental leave policies.
• Cycle to work loan scheme.
• £45 monthly cultural allowance
• £75 personal stationery allowance, and £150 to spend on our Occasion stationery for a lifetime special event
• 40% staff discount along with a family and friends discount.
• Papier with Purpose. We give back to the community and offer 2 days paid per year to volunteer for a cause you/we care about.
• Constant access to mental health, well-being resources and support from our in-house first aiders.
• Weekly team lunches & regular cultural trips.
• Our pooches are a part of the Papier team and you may see them from time to time in Maison Papier.
• Inclusive and friendly team who will make you feel welcome from day one.
• At Papier, we believe that the diverse perspectives of all paper people deserve to be celebrated. A creative and curious community, we strive to be inclusive and equitable to all. We’re an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on any grounds. From hiring processes to day-to-day business, we aim to create an environment that is accessible and safe for everyone. We’re always working towards building a balanced and supportive workplace, with policies and ways of working to ensure everyone can make the most of their time at Papier.