The Role
We are looking for an experienced and highly creative Senior Jewellery Designer to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our collections at Temple of the Sun. This senior leadership role blends artistic vision, technical expertise, and strategic direction to deliver jewellery that embodies our brand identity, while remaining responsive to market trends and commercially successful.
With 5+ years of hands-on design experience in the fine or demi-fine jewellery industry, you will conceptualise and develop captivating collections that reflect our aesthetic and craftsmanship values. A deep and nuanced understanding of gemstones, precious metals, and artisanal techniques is essential, enabling you to create designs that are technically achievable and emotionally resonant.
While proficiency in CAD software (Rhino 3D or Matrix Gold) is required, this is not a CAD-heavy role. Instead, you will guide a team of CAD designers, providing clear direction and creative leadership to ensure design accuracy, feasibility, and integrity across all projects. You will also work closely with our Creative Director to ensure our designs are distinctive, innovative, and aligned with our evolving brand vision.
In addition to leading the design direction, you will work in close partnership with a Product Development Manager - a direct report who plays a critical operational role in managing timelines, prototype development, supplier liaison, and production feasibility. While the Product Development Manager will be responsible for executional logistics and cross-functional delivery, you will retain oversight to ensure the successful translation of your creative vision through all stages of development to market.
This is an opportunity for a passionate, driven designer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and who is motivated by both creative excellence and strategic leadership.
Skills & Experience Required:
- Extensive Jewellery Design Expertise: Minimum 5 years of experience designing innovative, commercially successful jewellery collections.
- Creative Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a creative team while maintaining a clear design direction and upholding brand integrity
- Mastery of Craftsmanship & Materials: Deep knowledge of traditional jewellery-making techniques, gemstone properties, and precious metal characteristics.
- Concept & Collection Development: Ability to develop compelling mood boards, themes, and design stories that guide seasonal and evergreen ranges.
- Technical Drawing & Design Proficiency: Strong hand illustration and technical drawing skills.
- Proficiency in CAD (Rhino 3D or Matrix Gold) for concept refinement and guiding CAD teams.
- Advanced Digital Design: Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) to support design communication and visual merchandising.
- Range Architecture: Experience constructing commercially viable and strategically segmented collections that align with pricing architecture, customer profiles, and merchandising needs.
- Trend Forecasting: Ability to research and interpret emerging jewellery and fashion trends, and translate them into meaningful, relevant design concepts.
- Project Management: Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple timelines, collections, and design briefs across seasonal cycles.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working with marketing, production, sales, and operations to ensure smooth and timely execution from concept to product launch.
Sustainable & Ethical Sourcing: Understanding of sustainable materials and ethical supply chain principles, including the ability to contribute meaningfully to sourcing decisions.
-
Key Responsibilities & Focus Areas:
- Lead the end-to-end design process for new collections, from initial ideation through to final product sign-off.
- Direct and mentor CAD designers, providing detailed briefs, technical feedback, and creative direction to ensure each design reflects the Temple of the Sun aesthetic and meets quality
standards.
- Collaborate with the Creative Director on brand-led design evolution, ensuring each collection is both artistically progressive and true to our identity.
- Oversee and work closely with the Product Development Manager to ensure smooth execution of product timelines, prototypes, supplier communication, and manufacturing feasibility.
- Provide input and oversight on material sourcing and pricing frameworks to ensure product is both high quality and commercially viable.
- Partner with the production team and in-house jewellers to refine complex or bespoke elements of new designs, ensuring manufacturability and durability.
- Support the marketing and e-commerce teams with product storytelling, launch campaign visuals, and any required creative assets.
- Assist in the creation of internal product training materials, including detailed specs, design intent explanations, and seasonal narratives for retail and wholesale teams.
- Lead quality assurance at the design level, ensuring consistency, finish, and integrity of every product released to market.
- Maintain a forward-thinking, solutions-oriented approach to design challenges, proactively troubleshooting and refining product based on technical or commercial feedback.
Act as a design ambassador within the business, contributing to a culture of creativity, precision, and innovation.
-
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Delivery of exceptional, brand-aligned seasonal collections within timeline and budget constraints.
- Positive feedback from production, sales, marketing, and retail teams on design impact and commercial success.
- High CAD and prototype approval rates with minimal revisions due to clear, detailed briefing and design guidance.
- Effective management of the Product Development Manager, including successful coordination across departments and timely execution of design-to-market processes.
Recognition of innovation and design excellence from both customers and internal stakeholders.
-
What We Offer:
- A highly competitive salary commensurate with the seniority and scope of this role.
- An opportunity to lead design at one of Australia’s fastest-growing jewellery brands.
- Generous staff discounts and annual gifting valued at $1,000.
- A $1,000 annual wellness allowance towards the program of your choice.
- A collaborative and purpose-driven workplace, five minutes from the beaches of Byron Bay.
- The chance to work closely with our Creative Director and senior leadership team on meaningful, future-forward creative work.
To Apply:
- Please submit your resume and portfolio to Kendall at [email protected] with the subject line “Head Jewellery Designer Application”.
