Design Director - Footwear - Innovation (m/f/d)

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION

The Design Director Footwear Innovation role requires a creative and motivated individual who can contribute to the design language of our products, support innovation, and collaborate across functions. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, and passionate about creating cutting-edge solutions for athletes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Contribute to implementing the Design Direction for adidas Innovation.
2. Lead a small team of designers to help establish and maintain a clear design language for our high-performance FTW concepts.
3. Be at the global forefront of design trends and innovation as well as their application.
4. Drive the conceptualization process within innovation design.
5. Be an active leader within innovation design to challenge conventions and bring newness to our concepts.
6. Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment and cohesiveness in product development.
7. Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence within the team.
8. Support design and material development, working closely with development partners to build high-performance prototypes.
9. Consider small-batch production and industrialization of concepts, ensuring speed of handover for online development.
10. Work with cross-functional innovation competencies to source and develop new ingredients for product innovation.
11. Work closely with athletes, engaging in dialogue to create tailored solutions.
12. Spend time with factories and suppliers to drive innovative solutions and generate intellectual property (IP) and novelty in design and manufacturing.
13. Collaborate with legal team to build a portfolio of patents and design registrations (IDFs).

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

1. Innovation Teams
2. Creative Direction
3. Innovation Development
4. Different departments within Design

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Strong portfolio demonstrating innovative product design and development within the FTW industry.
2. Entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for driving creativity and innovation.
3. Proven leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
4. First experience in managing cross-functional teams and building relationships with athletes, suppliers, and partners, ideally across borders.
5. Fluent in English (verbal and written).

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field.
2. Minimum of 8 years of practical experience in design roles within the sporting goods or related industry.
3. At least 3 years experience of leading Footwear Design teams.

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.