MCQUEEN Collection Development Manager, Women's Ready To Wear

Job Title: Collection Development Manager, Women's Ready To Wear

Line Manager: Head of Collection Development

Location: London HQ

McQueen is a British luxury fashion house founded by Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992. In 2001, the house joined the Kering Group and, since December 2023, is under the creative direction of Seán McGirr.

McQueen is distinctive for an expression of individuality, subversive strength and raw power. With a design studio and atelier based in London, the house is known for uncompromising quality and creative vision.

At McQueen, we live and breathe a culture defined by our key Behaviours:

• Empowerment – We empower our team and peers, providing unwavering support to ensure everyone can thrive; this means giving support to your team and those you are working with to succeed.

• Teamwork – We put an emphasis on Teamwork; this means working together as a collective to achieve shared goals.

• Respect – We value respect, treating everyone with dignity and showing genuine appreciation for their efforts: this means treating everyone equally.

• Kindness – We believe kindness is integral to everything we do; this means demonstrating compassion and empathy towards others. 

How will you contribute?

Managing all categories for Women’s (excluding Core Jersey, Denim & Knitwear) and All Womenswear styles through atelier:

• Act as the collection development lead in London, representing the broader Product Development function to ensure alignment between design’s creative direction and the technical realisation of the Womenswear collection,

• Partner closely with the Studio Director and WRTW Design team to translate creative concepts into executable products, ensuring design integrity, craftsmanship, and brand DNA are maintained throughout the development process.

• Serve as the key liaison between the London Studio and the Product Development teams in Novara, ensuring clarity, consistency, and timely communication across all stages of development.

• Lead the coordination and delivery of Womenswear pieces, overseeing their development from initial concept through to final prototype and sample approval.

• Ensure that creative intent, technical feasibility, cost parameters, and production timelines are all balanced effectively.

• Oversee fittings, material approvals, and sample reviews, providing clear feedback and direction to the Novara team to achieve the desired fit, finish, and quality.

• Provide leadership and mentorship to local development and technical staff, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing with the wider Product Development network.

• Proactively troubleshoot design, construction, or fit challenges, proposing timely and effective solutions to maintain progress and uphold standards.

• Manage critical paths, calendars, and sample tracking, ensuring the seamless flow of information, materials, and approvals across all teams.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Materials, Production, Merchandising, and Atelier teams to ensure collection feasibility, consistency, and efficiency from design concept to final garment.

• Uphold the brand’s high standards for innovation, craftsmanship, and quality throughout all phases of collection development.

• Take on additional categories or projects as and when the collection demands.

Required Skills:

• You will be able to demonstrate the desired McQueen behaviours.

• Proven experience in Collection or Product Development within luxury fashion, with in-depth knowledge of Womenswear Ready-to-wear.

• Strong technical understanding of garment construction, materials, and the end-to-end product lifecycle.

• Experience working with cross-functional and international teams, ideally bridging creative and production hubs.

• Ability to interpret and communicate design drawings, specs, and technical requirements with precision and clarity.

• Exceptional attention to detail, organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• Proactive problem-solving mindset with a balance of creative sensitivity and technical rigour.

• Excellent communication skills and confidence operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in CAD software and technical design tools.

• Fluency in English is required; Italian language skills are a strong advantage.

• Willingness to travel between London and Novara as needed.

Please Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as the needs of the organisation change.

Kering is committed to building a diverse workforce. We believe diversity in all its forms – gender, age, nationality, culture, religious beliefs and sexual orientation – enriches the workplace. It opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to adapt to a changing world. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background.