Director Innovation Footwear

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Pahokee (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Sports Jobs Limited seeks a Director of Innovation Design to lead our footwear and innovations team. You will direct the creation of bold, industry-leading products, collaborate with industrial designers, materials, color, computational teams, and report directly to the VP Innovation Footwear Design.

You will mentor two product designers and guide complex design challenges. You will research athletes, ideate future performance solutions, build partnerships across marketing, engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related field.
• 8 years’ experience designing and developing footwear and related products.
• Knowledge of form, colour, materials, and human factors in consumer experience.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into product solutions and narratives.
• Strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills.
• Ability to create accurate 2D tech packs and coach others to build them.
• Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials.
• Experience with presentation programs (Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat).
• Positive, energetic, and able to lead and onboard design teammates.

Responsibilities

• Direct the creation of industry-leading footwear and innovations.
• Solve complex design challenges and create iconic products.
• Research athletes and ideate on future performance solutions.
• Lead and explore new opportunities, driving team innovation.
• Collaborate with marketing, engineering, and development; craft sustainable solutions.
• Mentor designers and present work in reviews.

Skills

Photoshop

Illustrator

2D technical drawings

Tech packs

Sketching

Rendering

Manufacturing knowledge

Presentation software

Leadership

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design

Tools

Keynote

PowerPoint

Acrobat

Job description

About the Role

This role leads the Innovation design team, directing the creation of industry-leading footwear and innovations. The position involves collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of industrial designers, materials, colour, computational, and other professionals, and reporting directly to the VP Innovation Footwear Design. The director manages a team of two product designers and is responsible for solving complex design challenges, researching athletes, and ideating future performance footwear solutions. The role also includes mentoring designers and presenting work in reviews.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the creation of industry-leading footwear and innovations, bringing bold concepts to life.
• Solve complex design challenges and create iconic products that inspire through function and form.
• Research athletes and ideate on future solutions for performance footwear.
• Lead and explore new opportunities, take risks, and drive innovation within the team.
• Engage with project teammates on research, insights, and problem-solving around performance and manufacturing, and work with athletes to craft creative and sustainable solutions.
• Manage and mentor a team of product designers, collaborating with materials, digital, and colour designers.
• Build and direct larger project teams, working hand-in-hand with product managers, developers, researchers, marketing, and engineers.
• Help the team participate and present work in informal and formal reviews.
• Lead and drive partnerships beyond the design function, including marketing, engineering, and development.
• Challenge industry conventions and set a high standard for creativity, desirability, and innovative thinking.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, a related field or equivalent combination of education, experience or training.
• 8 years’ experience designing and developing innovative footwear and other products.
• Knowledge of form, colour, materials, and human factors related to elevating the consumer experience.
• Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives.
• Strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills.
• Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs) and have the knowledge to direct/coach the team to build them.
• Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials.
• Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
• Positive personality and energy.
• Ability and passion to lead, mentor and onboard Design teammates.
• Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviours.
• Catalyst to make connections with other Design groups.
• Lead and drive partnerships beyond the Design function (Marketing, Engineering, Development, etc.).
• Motivated and hardworking about bringing others along.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in technical footwear design – performance footwear is a plus.
• Cobbling and prototyping skills are a plus.
• 3D design programs experience is a plus.
• Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing are a plus.