Head of Design

Alpha60 is an independent Australian fashion label founded in Melbourne in 2005 by siblings Alex and Georgie Cleary. Known for our distinctive approach to contemporary fashion, Alpha60 brings together thoughtful design, art, culture and everyday wearability. With stores across Australia and an established online community, we create collections that feel individual, relevant and unmistakably Alpha60.

We are looking for an experienced, creatively driven and hands-on Head of Design to lead the creation and development of Alpha60’s seasonal collections. The Head of Design will translate the broader creative vision of the brand into considered, cohesive and commercially successful ranges. This role will be actively involved across the entire design process—from seasonal concepts and initial sketches through to fabric selection, fittings and final production. This is a senior creative role for someone who loves the process of designing and making product. Alongside leading the Design team, you will personally design across the range, develop key styles and help bring each collection to life.
As part of a small team, this role requires someone who is comfortable moving between big-picture creative direction and the practical, hands-on work needed to deliver each season. You’ll work closely with the Creative Director, Production, Planning, Retail, Digital and Marketing to ensure every collection feels distinctly Alpha60 while responding to the needs of our customers and business.

You are an experienced and hands-on design leader with a strong creative point of view, excellent product instincts and a genuine love of designing clothes. You enjoy being close to the product and involved in the detail. You’re equally comfortable sketching a new style, selecting fabrics, leading a fitting, building a range, working with suppliers or helping solve a technical challenge. You understand that working in a small team requires flexibility, collaboration and a willingness to get involved wherever needed. You can lead with clarity while remaining approachable, practical and connected to the everyday work of the team.

• Significant experience in a senior womenswear design role within a contemporary fashion brand.
• Strong hands-on garment design experience across multiple product categories.
• Experience creating and delivering seasonal collections from concept through to production.
• A strong understanding of collection building, range architecture and commercial product strategy.
• Excellent knowledge of garment construction, fit, fabrication, colour and print.
• Experience working directly with offshore suppliers, manufacturers and fabric mills.
• The ability and flexibility to travel internationally, including regular trips to China when required.
• Experience leading and developing a small creative team.
• Strong communication, organisation and decision-making skills.
• The ability to manage multiple seasonal timelines while remaining closely involved in the design process.
• A thoughtful, calm and collaborative leadership style.

• A full-time role based in our light-filled Collingwood studio.
• An independently owned and sibling-run business with more than 20 years of history.
• A supportive, collaborative and innovative working environment.
• Creative ownership, variety and the opportunity to help shape Alpha60’s next chapter.
• A competitive salary package reflective of your skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Creative Director to establish and implement the creative direction for each season.
• Lead the creation of seasonal concepts across colour, fabrication, print, silhouette, proportion and styling.
• Actively design garments and product across the seasonal range, from initial sketches and concepts through to final development.
• Create and develop key styles, hero pieces and new product ideas for each collection.
• Run the seasonal design process, ensuring the creative direction is clearly understood and implemented by the team.
• Ensure every collection feels cohesive, relevant and unmistakably Alpha60.
• Bring new ideas and creative thinking to the range while respecting the design language and history of the brand.
• Present seasonal concepts, range direction and product stories to teams across the business.

• Build balanced collections that combine directional pieces, commercial styles, Alpha60 signatures and everyday wardrobe essentials.
• Develop the range architecture across categories, ensuring the right balance of product, price, colour, fabrication and silhouette.
• Identify hero pieces, key seasonal stories and opportunities for product growth.
• Work with Planning to review sales performance, customer feedback and previous-season learnings and apply these insights to future ranges.
• Balance creativity and newness with wearability, functionality and commercial opportunity.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Alpha60 customer across retail stores and online.

• Run the design process from initial research and concept development through to sampling, fittings and final production.
• Lead and participate in fittings, making clear decisions around silhouette, proportion, construction and finish.
• Work directly across garment design, fabric selection, colour development, print, trims and finishing details.
• Partner closely with Production and Garment Technology to resolve design, fit, costing and manufacturing challenges.
• Maintain a high standard of fit, construction, quality and attention to detail across every collection.
• Make considered decisions throughout development to protect the design intent while meeting timelines, costings and production requirements.
• Maintain and develop strong working relationships with fabric mills, suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Travel to China as required to meet with suppliers, source fabrics and trims, review development and strengthen manufacturing relationships.
• Identify opportunities for new fabrications, techniques, finishes and manufacturing solutions.
• Ensure design deadlines and critical-path milestones are clearly understood and consistently met.

• Lead, support and work alongside a small, close-knit Design team.
• Remain actively involved in the day-to-day design workload while providing clear direction and feedback.
• Allocate seasonal responsibilities and help the team manage priorities, deadlines and changing requirements.
• Mentor and develop individual team members, supporting their creative growth, technical knowledge and confidence.
• Create an open, collaborative and accountable team environment where ideas can be shared and developed.
• Encourage ownership while remaining available to help solve problems and keep projects moving.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, development and performance conversations within the Design team.
• Continually improve the team’s systems, processes and ways of working.

• Work closely with Planning to develop range structure, product opportunities and seasonal requirements.
• Collaborate with Production to deliver collections to the expected quality, cost and timeline.
• Partner with Retail and Digital to understand customer feedback and product performance.
• Provide Marketing and Creative teams with the inspiration, product stories and design details needed to communicate each collection.
• Participate in seasonal previews, handovers and reviews across the business.
• Communicate design decisions, changes and challenges clearly throughout the development process.