Head of Jewellery Design
Van Cleef & Arpels in Paris seeks a Head of Jewellery Design to lead the haute‑joaillerie design studio and deliver seasonal collections.
Overview
Van Cleef & Arpels is a storied French maison of haute joaillerie renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, poetic design language and artisanal savoir‑faire. Operating globally from Paris and supported by the Richemont group, the brand combines heritage techniques with contemporary creative direction across high jewellery, watches and accessories.
Role & Responsibilities
- Provide artistic leadership and strategic direction for the jewellery design studio, defining aesthetic codes and long‑term creative vision for collections.
- Lead the end‑to‑end design process: concept research, sketching, technical drawings, CAD development, prototyping and finalisation with the ateliers.
- Manage, mentor and recruit a multidisciplinary team of designers, model makers and CAD specialists; establish workflows and quality checkpoints.
- Collaborate closely with gemmology, production, sourcing and product development to ensure technical feasibility, cost control and excellence of execution.
- Oversee seasonal collection planning and ensure timely delivery for line launches, exhibitions and client presentations.
- Represent the design studio in cross‑functional meetings with executive management, marketing, retail and external partners; present concepts and defend creative choices.
- Maintain and evolve the maison’s design archives, uphold intellectual property standards and ensure adherence to brand heritage and technical quality.
Qualifications
- Established track record in haute joaillerie or fine jewellery design with progressive leadership responsibilities.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual strength, mastery of jewellery volumes, proportion and gem‑setting considerations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of traditional jewellery techniques, materials, gemmology and production constraints.
- Proven experience managing creative teams, setting workflows and delivering collections on schedule.
- Formal training in jewellery design, fine arts, industrial design or equivalent professional experience; gemmology credentials are a strong asset.
- Professional proficiency in French; advanced English is highly desirable for international collaboration.
Skills
Experience
Minimum of 8–12 years in jewellery design, with several years in a supervisory or director role within high jewellery or a comparable luxury house; demonstrable experience delivering full‑collection cycles from concept to production.
Education
Degree or diploma in jewellery design, fine arts, industrial design or equivalent professional experience; additional gemmology certification preferred.
Culture
Van Cleef & Arpels fosters a culture anchored in artisanal excellence, attention to detail and reverence for heritage. The working environment blends atelier traditions with collaborative, interdisciplinary development across design, production and client‑facing teams, sustaining a high standard of creative rigour.