Head of Footwear Design Special Projects

ON; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Head of Footwear Design - Special Projects to lead visionary concepts and cross-functional collaborations for limited-edition and global launches. You will steer advanced design directions and mentor a high-performing team of footwear and CMF designers, ensuring architectural integrity and market-ready execution.

You bring 10+ years of leadership in footwear design, deep construction/CMF knowledge, and fluency with AI-enabled workflows to elevate On's brand through innovative,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of footwear design leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead design pipelines and develop talent.
• Deep knowledge of footwear construction, CMF, and craft.
• Fluent in English; strong cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Set the creative vision for Special Projects across footwear initiatives.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of footwear and CMF designers.
• Establish workflows, standards, and benchmarks for design excellence.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Footwear Development, and Innovation to move ideas to market.

Skills

Footwear design

Creative direction

Team leadership

AI fluency

CMF design

3D visualization

Tools

3D visualization

AI tools

Job description

## Head of Footwear Design Special ProjectsZurichApply NowUse AI to find out how well you match with this jobJob ID: JR26070994Date posted: 07/09/2026Function: Design## **In short**The Head of Footwear Design - Special Projects sets the creative vision and design direction for On's most progressive footwear concepts, limited-edition partnerships, and cultural collaborations. Leading a high-performing team of footwear and CMF designers, you translate cultural intelligence and avant-garde thinking into groundbreaking, commercially viable products that push the boundaries of footwear design.Your work elevates brand heat and expands On's design language across the global sports and lifestyle landscape.## **Your Mission*** Lead the end-to-end creative direction and aesthetic vision for all footwear initiatives within Special Projects, delivering forward-facing design concepts that bring heat to the On brand.* Translate global cultural insights, macro trends, and consumer shifts into compelling, commercially viable design languages that elevate On's footwear portfolio.* Steer early-stage concept exploration in collaboration with innovation teams, integrating proprietary technologies into limited-edition and pinnacled executions.* **Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team** of Footwear and CMF Designers, fostering an environment of creative exploration, experimentation, and design excellence.* **Establish team workflows, design standards, and creative benchmarks**, empowering designers to take calculated risks and execute with precision.* Drive the adoption of next-generation design methodologies, including 3D visualization and AI-assisted creation tools, to optimize workflows and expand exploratory capabilities.* **Drive alignment across Product Management, Footwear Development, and Innovatio**n to guide projects seamlessly from initial ideation to market-ready reality.* Act as the senior design authority in external partner relationships, co-creating with collaborators while safeguarding On’s aesthetic integrity and brand standards.* Represent Special Projects design at strategic partner sessions, milestone reviews, and industry events to champion design choices and amplify On’s presence.## **Your Story*** You hold a background as an expert in Footwear Design & Concept Creation, possessing a strong drive for Creative Direction & Brand Storytelling.* **10+ years of experience** leading design pipelines and driving world-class products, with a proven track record of setting direction and developing creative talent in global environments.* **Deep knowledge in Footwear Construction & Technical Feasibility,** successfully balancing aesthetic vision with technical innovation.* Advanced expertise in CMF (Color, Material, Finish) Design & Craftsmanship with a passion for elevated product executions.* **Strong digital design capabilities and generative AI fluency**, always exploring new tools to expand creative workflows and team capabilities.* Exceptional strategic decision-making skills and an analytic approach to navigating complex collaborative structures and external partner relationships.* You thrive as a senior leader in cross-functional environments, collaboratively engaging with internal teams and external creatives to co-create boundary-pushing concepts.* Fluent in English both written and spoken.## Attributes of a successful candidate* **Innovation (Expert)**: You push the boundaries of design, bringing revolutionary concepts to life and redefining the creative envelope.* Delivering Excellence (Expert): You demand and deliver the highest standards of craftsmanship, ensuring design integrity is maintained from concept to creation.* **Setting Direction**(Advanced): You define clear creative pathways, inspiring your team and external partners to align with a singular, powerful vision.* Strategic Decision-Making (Advanced): You effectively balance brand identity, commercial viability, and creative risk to navigate complex projects.* Collaboration & Developing Talent (Advanced): You foster a culture of mutual respect and learning, empowering your designers and external collaborators to co-create effectively.## Your TeamWe shape how you step into tomorrow.It all comes down to a feeling for the Footwear Design team. Our ideation process starts with an intended sensation for running, training, trekking, tennis or everyday movement. Then, we integrate the right technologies to make it happen. From the first spark of an idea to the final prototype, we work quickly and collaboratively to deliver footwear that inspires.Within this environment, you will lead the Special Projects Design team—a highly specialized group of footwear and CMF designers focused on culture, limited-edition partnerships, and avant-garde thinking. Together, you translate cultural movements and cutting-edge aesthetics into highly desirable product concepts that elevate On's global brand heat and unlock new dimensional opportunities for the entire brand.*On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.*