Director, Motorcycle Design

Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Wauwatosa (WI); On-site; USD 172,800 - 276,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

Health insurance

401(k) program

Onsite fitness centers

Employee stores

Employee discounts on products

Job summary

Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s Product Development Center in Wauwatosa, WI seeks a Director of Motorcycle Design to lead the evolution of the design studio’s strategy, structure, and organization.

You will provide industry-leading expertise and oversee the Design Department within the Corporate Product Development Process, collaborating with Engineering, Supply Management, Manufacturing, Motorcycle Management, Finance, and Strategic Planning to implement creative solutions that drive business

Qualifications

• Twelve years in product design, with 5+ years in management and a focus on transportation/powersports.
• Production experience from concept to launch is essential.
• Deep understanding of Harley-Davidson brand and motorcycles.
• Extensive art direction and ability to influence senior teams.
• Strong verbal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative support and project management to ensure a world-class industrial design operation.
• Develop and execute the Design department strategy and its tactical plan.
• Guide Engineering, Supply Base, Manufacturing, and Marketing to realize design intent and customer voice.
• Collaborate on the Motorcycle Life Cycle Plan to meet business objectives.
• Mentor the team and cultivate succession planning and healthy team culture.
• Represent Design on corporate initiatives and support brand stewardship.

Skills

Art direction

Project management

Leadership

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design

Job description

In 1903, out of a small shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, four young men lit a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across geographies and generations. Their innovation and imagination for what was possible on two wheels sparked a transportation revolution that would make Harley‑Davidson the most recognizable motorcycle brand in the world. Today, we continue to define motorcycle culture, evoking soul‑stirring emotion reflected in every product and experience we deliver - like we have for well over a century and will for generations to come. Are you ready to ride with us?

The Harley‑Davidson Motor Company Product Development Center (PDC) located in Wauwatosa, WI is home to the mantra – You dream it. We build it. Join our team as a Director, Motorcycle Design.

Job Summary

This position reports directly to the Head of Design and is responsible for the evolution and development of the design studio’s strategy, structure, and organization. This position is engaged in providing innovative and industry‑leading expertise and oversight of the Design Department, within the Corporate Product Development Process. This role closely collaborates with stakeholders in other functional areas such as Engineering, Supply Management, Manufacturing, Motorcycle Management, Finance, and Strategic Planning in the development and implementation of creative solutions that make business strategies actionable.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides creative support and project management expertise to the Head of Design, and Product Development Operations that ensures a world class industrial design operation.
• Supports development of the Design department strategy and its tactical execution.
• Provides strategic guidance and creative direction to Engineering, Supply Base, Manufacturing, Motorcycle Management, and Marketing to ensure Design intent and voice of the customer attributes are robustly executed.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders in the development of the Motorcycle Life Cycle Plan which delivers our business objectives.
• Guiding the team on H‑D design principles such as Rider Experience and LSF, to ensure our products support and promote the Brand.
• Responsible for strategic business relationships with Parts & Accessories, Apparel and Licensing, and the Go‑To‑Market (GTM) teams.
• Supports the educational alliance strategy with key global creative schools.
• Creative direction of the Design organization during reviews and critiques, ability to exhibit confidence inspired guidance.
• Team mentorship: Facilitating healthy team cultures, enabling and fostering individual development goals, and targeted succession planning.
• Serves as a Design representative/ambassador on corporate initiatives, supporting brand stewardship where/when needed.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design Required.

Experience Requirements

This position typically requires 12 years of experience in a product design field with an emphasis on Transportation and/or Powersports related industries with 5 years of experience in a managerial capacity. In addition, the successful candidate will have demonstrated the following:

• Production experience from idea conception to product launch is non‑negotiable.
• Requires a deep understanding of the Harley‑Davidson Brand and its Motorcycle products.
• Extensive art direction skills required and must be able to influence the Product Development, Motorcycle Management, and Design leadership teams and their projects with guidance based on broad general design parameters, best practices, voice of customer, and brand translation.
• Strong verbal and presentation skills.

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full‑time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley‑Davidson here.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: Yes
Travel Required: 0 – 10%
Pay Range: $172,800 – $276,500

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer.
Relocation: This position is eligible for domestic relocation assistance (within posted country).

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