Director Design HnB

Philip Morris International; Lausanne; On-site; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Philip Morris International in Lausanne seeks a Director of Product Design for HnB & Innovation to lead design stream for ambitious programs. You’ll translate consumer insights and brand ambition into differentiated product concepts, guiding end-to-end build delivery, and aligning cross-functional teams to a shared design direction.

You’ll drive design excellence, manage budgets and external partners, and promote AI-enabled workflows to accelerate insight generation while partnering with

Qualifications

• BA/BS or MA/MS in Industrial/Product/Design Strategy or related field.
• Significant product design and creative leadership experience.
• Proven track record managing large, multidisciplinary programs.
• Outstanding partner management, influencing and presentation skills.
• Strong people leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience applying AI-enabled design tools.
• Broad understanding of end-to-end product development.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive design strategy for HnB and Innovation programs from exploration through execution.
• Translate consumer insights, market trends, brand ambition and technology into differentiated concepts.
• Represent Design within program leadership and align stakeholders around a shared direction.
• Lead end-to-end build delivery, partnering with CX, Marketing, Product Development, Insights, R&D and external partners.
• Manage program priorities, resources, budgets and timelines; oversee external partners.
• Collaborate with peer Design Stream Leads to strengthen design excellence.
• Use storytelling to communicate design strategy and product visions to senior leadership.
• Promote AI-enabled design workflows to accelerate insight generation.

Skills

Product design

Design leadership

AI-enabled design

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

HnB domain experience

Education

BA/BS in Industrial Design

MA/MS in Design

Tools

AI design tools

CMF understanding

Job description

About the role

At PMI, we’ve chosen to do something incredible. We’ve transformed our business and are building our future on one clear purpose—to deliver a smoke-free future. With huge change comes huge opportunity. So, wherever you join us, you’ll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly new directions. We have a new Director Product Design HnB & Innovation vacancy in Lausanne and we are searching for someone who will design stream lead for HnB and Innovation Programs.

Impact You’ll Own

The leader of Product Build for HnB & Innovation will guide the build strategy, creative vision, and implementation of key IQOS and HnB Innovation programs. As the end-to-end Build Stream Lead, the role transforms consumer insights, brand ambition, business needs, and technology opportunities to build outstanding product experiences. Working alongside other Director-level Design Stream Leads, the role drives alignment across design fields and delivers consumer-centric design outcomes. The role partners closely with teams in Consumer Innovation, Brand, Product, Market Insights, R&D, Operations, and Program Leadership to develop build direction and support PMI’s innovation agenda.

What You’ll Do

• Define and drive the design strategy for HnB and Innovation programs from exploration through execution.
• Translate consumer insights, market trends, brand ambition, business priorities, and technology opportunities into differentiated product concepts and experiences.
• Represent Design within program leadership teams and align interested parties around a shared design direction.
• Lead end-to-end build delivery across assigned programs, partnering closely with Customer Experience, Marketing, Product Development, Insights, R&D, Operations, and external partners.
• Lead program-level priorities, resources, budgets, timelines, and external partners to ensure successful execution.
• Collaborate with peer Design Stream Leads to strengthen design excellence and capability development across the portfolio.
• Use compelling storytelling to communicate design strategy, innovation opportunities, and product visions to senior leadership.
• Promote the responsible adoption of AI-enabled design workflows to accelerate insight generation.

Skills & Capabilities

• BA/BS and/or MA/MS in Industrial Design, Product Design, Design Strategy, or a related field.
• Significant experience in product design, innovation, and creative leadership within a corporate, consultancy, or agency environment.
• Proven track record of leading sophisticated multidisciplinary programs in highly matrixed organizations.
• Outstanding partner management, influencing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong people leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to connect consumer insights, business strategy, brand objectives, and digital innovation possibilities.
• Experience applying AI-enabled design tools.
• Broad understanding of product, packaging, graphics, interaction design, CMF, accessories, and end-to-end product development.
• Strong resource planning, budget management, and external partner management capabilities.

Things To Know Before You Apply

If you have been in your current job for less than 18 months or if you are on a Performance Improvement Program, you must get the approval of your current manager before applying for the job.

If you are not a PMI employee and employed by an agency, please make a formal application via the external career site at www.pmi.com/careers.

To find out more about eligibility to apply for internal jobs, please refer to the Open Sourcing Employee Guidebook on the Internal Careers Portal.