Music is Universal
 
It’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.

Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurocognitive variation.

We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email UniversalMusicCareers@umusic.com.

The A Side: A Day in The Life

In October 2024, Universal Music UK brought together two iconic music labels, Island and EMI Records, to create Island EMI Label Group. The new powerhouse label group is designed to help deliver our strategy to support artists from the wider Universal family, linking closely with US label partners Republic Corps, and Interscope Capitol Labels Group.

We’re looking for a Merchandise Designer to join Studio Island on a 6-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Head of Merchandise Creative, you’ll be responsible for the design and development of clothing and goods across multiple artists and campaigns.

This is a hands-on creative role that requires a designer who can think conceptually, execute with precision, and manage projects through all stages — from ideation and design development through to sampling, quality control, and production handover.

You’ll thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, working on several concurrent projects, and balancing creativity with commercial understanding and brand alignment.

The B Side: Skills & Experience

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop merchandise collections across apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products for Island Records and EMI artists.
• Work closely with the Head of Merchandise Creative to ensure all design output aligns with artist vision and brand direction.
• Work closely with N1C, Universal Music UK’s central e-commerce and creative team to develop product ranges.
• Lead concept creation, research, and mood board development to inform and inspire design ideas.
• Produce detailed design packs, technical drawings, and material specifications for production partners.
• Oversee sampling and quality control, ensuring all products meet Studio Island’s creative and technical standards.
• Collaborate with Studio Island wider creative team, marketing managers, and artist teams to deliver high-quality creative work to brief and on time.
• Stay informed of fashion, streetwear, and cultural trends, applying these insights to elevate creative output.
• Manage multiple briefs simultaneously, maintaining quality and attention to detail across all projects.

Person Specification

• Past experience in fashion, apparel, or product design, ideally within music, lifestyle, or cultural industries.
• Very good interpersonal skills and ability to remain professional at all times.
• Proven ability to take a product from concept through to final sample, with a strong grasp of fabrication, print, and finishing techniques.
• Highly skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Strong sense of visual storytelling and design composition.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to high production standards.
• Confident working across multiple briefs in a deadline-driven, creative environment.
• Passionate about fashion, music, culture, and design — and how these worlds intersect.

* Candidates must upload a creative portfolio or link to a creative portfolio in their resume *

Bonus Tracks: Your Benefits

• Group Personal Pension Scheme (between 3% and 9%)
• Private Medical Insurance
• 25 paid days of annual leave
• Interest Free Season Ticket Loan available
• Holiday Purchase scheme
• Dental and Travel Insurance options
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Salary Sacrifice Cars
• Subsidised Gym Membership
• Employee Discounts (Reward Gateway)

Just So You Know…

The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder's specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive, and exhaustive statement.

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