Head of Design – Womens Product Full Time

Lead the creative vision for Rip Curl’s Women’s Apparel, Accessories, and Girlswear!

About Rip Curl

Founded in Torquay in 1969, Rip Curl is The Ultimate Surfing Company, born from a relentless pursuit for waves, adventure, and freedom, called ‘The Search’. Today, The Search continues to inspire all that we do, from the products we make, the events we run, the athletes we support, and the values we strive to uphold. Built by surfers, for surfers, Rip Curl is a global company that has been leading the surf industry for over 50 years. As a certified B Corp, we aim to prioritise people and planet in everything we do. The Search is calling… apply today and become part of The Ultimate Surfing company.

We’re looking for a Head of Design – Women’s Product to drive innovation, creativity, and market leadership across our global women’s product portfolio. This is a senior leadership role that combines strategic direction with hands-on execution, ensuring Rip Curl remains at the forefront of surf and beach lifestyle fashion.

What You’ll Do

Lead and inspire a talented design team across Women’s Surfwear, Accessories, and Wetsuits.
Own the creative vision for Women’s Product globally, ensuring consistency across apparel, accessories, and wetsuits.
Deliver seasonal ranges, perennial programs, SMUs, and quick-to-market injections that are on-brand, on-trend, and aligned with Rip Curl’s edit point.
Collaborate with global teams to set strategic themes, prints, colors, and silhouettes.
Drive innovation in fabrication, sustainability, and technical performance to elevate product quality and customer experience.
Stay ahead of global fashion and surf trends, translating insights into winning designs.
Build strong partnerships with athletes, ambassadors, and artists for authentic inspiration.
Ensure process excellence, from tech packs to PLM accuracy, and adherence to Rip Curl’s design cycle.

What We’re Looking For

Proven experience in design leadership within apparel or surf/lifestyle brands.
Deep understanding of garment construction, fabrics, trims, and global market trends.
Strong ability to predict and implement fashion trends quickly and effectively.
Expertise in Illustrator, Photoshop, and design CAD tools.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
A passion for the Rip Curl brand, surf culture, and our customers.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands

At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves.

We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone.

We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.

Click APPLY and join us on The Search.

Join us in shaping a workplace where everyone belongs.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Tagged as: apparel, design, textiles