Design Manager - Special Projects

Job description

In the context of its ongoing transformation, Polène is currently recruiting a ***Design Manager - Special Projects*** to lead the design and development of our exceptional products (charms, upcycling, objects, gifts, etc.) and **manage a team of two designers**. ### **You will thrive in this role if you want to:** - **Lead the creation** of all special projects within our Studio, reporting directly to the Head of Design and managing a team of 2 Designers. - **Drive and oversee the creative process** for special projects, including: - **Collaborative products and upcycling initiatives** (such as the *Plèi* collections). - **Exceptional objects** designed for key communication campaigns in partnership with the Press team (influencer gifting and VIP activations) and the Image team. - **Oversee product development** alongside a Product Manager, liaising with our internal prototyping workshops in Paris and Spain. - **Ensure technical specification sheets are completed** and maintain seamless information transfer between internal teams and artisans to guarantee all delivery milestones are met. ### **You will excel in this role if you have:** - **At least 5 years of experience** in a similar role within object, fashion, or accessory design, ideally in the fashion or luxury industry. - **Proven leadership experience** managing or supervising a creative team. - **A highly creative and hands-on mindset**, with a passion for working with multi-materials (wood, glass, metal) alongside advanced knowledge and expertise in leathercraft. - **Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite** (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). - **Autonomy, rigor, and strong organizational skills**, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. - **Exceptional interpersonal skills**, with the confidence and collaborative spirit needed to lead cross-functional projects. - **A highly developed artistic and aesthetic sensibility**, and fluent English communication skills. Proficiency in French and/or Spanish is a plus. ### You will join a 12-person Design team, reporting directly to the Head of Design. As the direct manager of 2 Designers, you will work closely with the Collection, Image, and Branding teams, our workshops in Paris and Spain, as well as external partners and suppliers. In this role, you will be at the heart of designing a diverse range of objects, playing a pivotal part in their operational implementation and successful execution. **The Recruitment Process** 1. **Meeting with Talent Acquisition**: discover the Maison, our values, and share your background and ambitions. 2. **Interview with your future manager (Head of Design)**: dive into the role, its responsibilities and the challenges facing the Design team. 3. **Case study**: work through a practical case and share your thinking and approach to product design. 4. **Final interview with our Management**: take a step back and explore the Maison's product vision and your development opportunities at Polène. **By joining Polène, you will have the opportunity to:** - Join a Maison with a **unique business project and an ambitious development plan** covering its entire value chain. - Grow in an **ever-evolving environment** where innovation and the pursuit of excellence are key drivers. - Thrive in an environment where **people are at the heart of the project**, and where the attention given to employees is a true differentiating factor. ### **Joining Polène also means benefiting from a range of initiatives designed with you in mind:** - A **100% on-site working experience**, based in our Paris offices in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, on rue du Louvre. - **25 days of paid annual leave + 10.5 RTT days**. - A **ClassPass sport and wellness membership**. - **Exclusive access to the Maison's collections** (private sales and preferential rates after one year of service). - Access to **People and Baby and Les Petits Chaperons Rouges** daycare networks. - **Alan health insurance**, with a tailor-made plan reserved for Maison employees and **60% employer contribution**. - A **sustainable mobility allowance of up to €40/month**, or **50% reimbursement of public transportation costs**. - **Swile meal vouchers** with a face value of **€10 per day**. **What you may not know yet about Polène:** Born in Paris in 2016, crafted in Ubrique and open to the world, Polène is much more than a leather goods Maison: it is a culture, a way of being and a way of creating. Each of our creations reflects the meeting point between technical precision and the poetry of form. Today, Polène brings together **1,500 employees**, including **900 exceptional artisans based in Ubrique, Spain**, and operates across **3 continents**, with an expansion plan targeting **7 new openings per year**. ***Polène is committed to an inclusive, ethical and equitable culture throughout its recruitment processes. We welcome you as you are, with your talents, your energy and your desire to contribute.***