Adults Footwear - Senior Designer

Clarks group; Needham (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarks is seeking a Senior Designer in footwear to lead end-to-end design from concept to go-to-market samples. You will work with the Global Design Team to create compelling seasonal stories and toolkits, and to develop multiple new constructions per season.

The role requires independent work, strong sketching, presentation skills and the ability to mentor junior designers. Onsite 5 days a week with potential travel for market research.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Shops the market and translates trends for target consumer.
• Collaborates with Global Design Team to create seasonal stories and toolkits.
• Designs 3-5 new constructions per season from sketch to go-to-market samples.
• Creates new upper design concepts for 12-15 existing constructions.
• Drives innovation and meets commercial requirements across teams.
• Leads design reviews, meetings and presentations.
• Mentors less experienced designers and volunteers for extra projects.

Skills

Strong sketching

Presentation & storytelling

Mentoring junior designers

Independent work

Time management

Design leadership

Willing to travel

Creative thinking

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design or equivalent

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office

Miro

Job description

Senior Designer

We’re looking for a rising Senior Footwear Designer who’s ready to make their mark. Possessing a high level of technical skill, the Senior Designer is experienced with multiple shoe constructions, materials and processes and is ready to tackle projects of all levels of difficulty. Possessing the ability to work independently, the Senior Designer can be relied upon to complete projects with little or no supervision, on time and according to brand strategies. The opportunity for growth is available as the Senior Designer proves their ability to mentor less experienced Designers and take the lead on and manage key projects from concept to fruition.

What You’ll do:

• Physically shops the market throughout the season and utilizes resources like WGSN, Peclers and Social Media to identify, analyze and translate marketplace trends for target consumer.
• Collaborates with Global Design Team, helps create clear and concise seasonal stories conveying compelling mood, color, materials and key silhouettes.
• Collaborates with Global Design Team, helps create seasonal toolkits of color and finish for componentry.
• Designs and develops 3-5 key new constructions per season from sketch to last development to upper and outsole prototypes and go-to-market samples, working with Product Line Management, Engineering and Materials Teams to drive innovation and meet commercial requirements of the brief.
• Creates new upper design concepts for 12-15 existing constructions, to reimagine or reinvent as required to meet strategic goals.
• Creates dynamic product concept boards to visually communicate design solutions and seasonal direction in digital format.
• Leads and contributes to team meetings, design reviews and presentations.
• Works independently to drive innovation beyond project briefs. Volunteers to take on additional projects as needed to satisfy sales and merchandising requests.
• Meets or exceeds all deliverable and timeline requirements according to business strategy and seasonal calendar.
• Potential for domestic and international travel for market research and new construction development

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design or equivalent.
• Work experience in footwear design.
• Proven creative and technical ability demonstrated through portfolio of work projects.
• Highly Skilled in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office.
• AI proficiency or willingness to learn.
• Miro experience a plus.
• 3D skills a plus.
• Strong sketching skills.
• Exceptional technical drawing skills for uppers and outsole specifications.
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills.
• Proven ability to juggle multiple constructions at a time, across all categories of footwear and drive innovation from initial concept to go-to-market samples.
• Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative team player, easy-going, eager to mentor less-experienced team members.
• Demonstrates drive, passion, enthusiasm.
• Leads with a point of view but also takes direction.
• Able to give and receive constructive feedback, embraces change, able to change direction and take on new challenges as strategies shift or consumer needs evolve.
• Takes initiative, volunteers for special projects, gets the job done without waiting for direction.
• Meticulous and detail-oriented, takes pride in doing quality work.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills: ability to manage multiple projects at once, working to a deadline, working independently.
• Onsite 5 days a week.

About Clarks

Clarks, based in Somerset, England, has been at the forefront of innovative shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when brother James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off cuts. At the time it was ground-breaking: a combination of invention and craftsmanship that has remained at the heart of what the brand does now. In the Clarks archive of more than 22,000 pairs that have sparked revolutions and defined generations. From the original Clarks Desert Boot, first designed by Nathan Clark and Launched in 1950, to the iconic Wallabee, each design has an instantly recognizable signature that makes it unmistakably Clarks. This season, we're proud to introduce the Clarks Collective: five incredible activists championing authentic social change. From mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights to greater racial equality, these trailblazers are committed to creating a brighter future for us all-bringing to life Clarks' new global campaign, for the World Ahead. Through spotlighting their stories and supporting their chosen charities and initiatives, we're ready to lead the way. After all, we're the originators, not imitators. It's who we are, who we've always been. And to change the world of tomorrow, we're doing things differently today.

As a global employer, Clarks is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work. We strive to create a productive environment which everyone has an equal chance to succeed at all levels through the organization. We will not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, disability, marital status, color, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment', complying with local legislative requirements.

Actual compensation within a pay range will be based on factors including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, performance, Clarks’ business needs, internal equity and any statutory obligations.The pay range for this role may be modified by Clarks at any time in the future.