Head of Studio and Production
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (37.0%).
Occupation Type
Research and development (r&d) managers
Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled
Sponsorship Salary Threshold
£54,400
(£27.90 per hour)
Occupation rate applies
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Description
Department: Production Team
Location: Head Office, Chelsea House
River Island is building a bolder, more distinctive brand presence, turning up the volume through elevated creative, fashion authority, and dopamine storytelling, while ensuring we remain fast, relevant and commercially sharp.
The Head of Studio & Editorial Content Production is a pivotal leadership role responsible for delivering a world-class studio operation that can handle 500+ product options per week, while also creating space for beauty, editorial, playful storytelling and brand moments.
This is not just a “keep the wheels turning” job.
This is a high-performance production leadership role, balancing speed, standards, efficiency, people, and creative excellence at scale.
You will own the studio engine that ensures everything we sell is captured, uploaded, optimised and online, without losing the River Island edge.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- 500+ options a week consistently shot, processed and delivered to site with minimal backlog
- A studio operation that runs at maximum set efficiency (high throughput, low waste).
1. Lead the Studio & Content Production Function
- Own the full end-to-end Studio production pipeline across
- Be the operational lead responsible for ensuring the studio delivers weekly product photography at scale.
- Set the standard for pace, quality, consistency and execution across all studio outputs
- Deliver 500+ options per week through studio (across Womenswear, Menswear, Kidswear, Accessories, Bags and Beauty as required).
- Ensure all available product goes online in the right timeframe to support trading priorities.
- Manage and continuously improve studio set capacity and throughput.
- Flat lay
- Detail / close-up
- Motion / video
- Editorial & Brand Essence
- Identify bottlenecks and remove friction in the workflow (sample flow, steaming, styling, retouching, approvals).
- Protect ecommerce production delivery without compromising creative ambition.
- Build in planned capacity for:
- Seasonal brand storytelling
- Social-first assets
- Beauty / product storytelling
- “Playful” content moments that give River Island its distinctive energy
- Partner with the Head of Editorial Creative and Head of Brand Styling to ensure creative ideas are executable and deliverable.
- Build and manage a structured weekly and monthly studio plan aligned to:
- Stock flow / intake
- Marketing calendar moments
- Product drops
- Seasonal peak periods (Holiday, Xmas Prep, Occasionwear, etc.)
- Own critical path planning from sample arrival → studio → post-production → upload.
- Ensure River Island content feels:
- Polished
- Fashion authoritative
- Playful but never chaotic
- Bold, brave, distinctive
- Champion delivery of a consistent look, lighting approach, styling rules and quality standards across categories.
- Push for continuous improvement in posing, casting, styling, photography execution and overall visual storytelling.
- Lead a high-output studio team including
- Stylists
- Photographers
- Retouchers
- Studio assistants
- Hair & makeup artists
- Casting support
- Build a culture of high standards, accountability, pace and pride
- Coach and develop talent — raise the bar and bring the team with you.
- Manage freelance and supplier network (photographers, retouchers, studios, equipment, post-production).
- Own and control studio budgets, ensuring spend is efficient and value-driven.
- Improve systems, tools, workflows and automation.
- Explore scalable solutions for:
- AI-assisted retouching workflows
- Faster upload processes
- New content formats
- Social-first content capture efficiencies
- Ensure River Island stays competitive with fast-moving brands and “speed to trend” expectations.
This role needs a rare mix of:
- studio operational brilliance
- creative taste
- editorial ambition
- commercial urgency
- and serious leadership presence
You are calm under pressure, obsessed with standards, and thrive in a high-output environment.
About Us
We’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.
This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.
What we can offer you:
💰 Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
💻 Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
💰 A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
🩺 The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
🚗 An allowance supporting your commute to work.
☀️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
Keeping You Safe
🛒 Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
🎉 A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
🤎 Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
💻 Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
💕 Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
🎓 Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
💰 A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
🩺 The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
🚗 An allowance supporting your commute to work.
☀️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
Keeping You Safe
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. To find out more, please visit www.gov.uk.
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.