Senior Design Director - Originals Footwear

adidas; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 197,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Design Director to shape the vision for Originals Lifestyle & Sportwear. This pivotal role involves leading a creative team to develop innovative products that resonate with consumers. You will collaborate closely with marketing and development teams, ensuring a cohesive strategy across footwear and apparel. The ideal candidate will possess extensive design knowledge, strong leadership skills, and a passion for the athletic market. Join a dynamic environment that values creativity and teamwork, where your contributions will significantly impact the brand's success.

Benefits

Health Savings Account

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k Plan with Employer Match

Education Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

Flexible Time Off

Annual Bonus

Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Life and AD&D Insurance

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Design with a focus on footwear and apparel.
• Proven leadership in managing design teams and driving innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design vision for Originals and collaborate with marketing teams.
• Manage and inspire design teams to create innovative products.

Skills

Textile Design Knowledge

Graphic Design Knowledge

Footwear Design Knowledge

Leadership Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Change Management

Team Management

Innovative Mindset

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design or Art

Tools

Computer Design Software

MS Office

Job description

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

Develop and steer the Originals Lifestyle & Sportwear design vision into product expression in partnership with the product creation team. The Senior Design Director will drive one holistic strategy for Originals in North America across footwear and foster a one team mentality within our design community.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and foster creativity within the design team to ensure that the Company creates and manufactures products that meet the needs of the customers.
• Collaborate with development to find new and more innovative methods of working to improve products and product ranges.
• Drive product marketing strategies that can be implemented throughout Design.
• Close collaboration with Product Marketing and Development to implement strategies, concepts, and projects for overall success.
• Manage, supervise, and provide feedback and development opportunities for teams.
• Provide designs for key projects to demonstrate leadership and set a high standard of design excellence.
• Inspire and motivate teams to pursue cutting-edge ideas that are innovative in the market.
• Represent and lead a strong multi-disciplinary Design team when in contact with internal and external parties.
• Be up to date on consumers, cultural trends, fashion, sports culture, and athletic findings across multiple categories and disciplines.
• Oversee all Design Direction from Concepts through Development and GTM launches; ensure design and performance objectives; deliver holistic creative process, market research, storytelling, and product design execution.

Key Relationships

• Product Marketing
• Go To Market
• Product Operations
• Costing and Development
• Project Management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Profound textile, graphic, footwear design knowledge, and credible expertise
• Holistic thinker, can establish and drive end-to-end design strategy and initiatives
• Inspirational and visionary leader
• Strong presentation, planning, and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong influence skills and change management
• Ability to manage a team of personnel, direct and indirect
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Comprehensive knowledge of product design with a clear understanding of the athletics market and its culture
• Practical knowledge in the field of computer design software/systems and MS Office
• Display and model innovative, resilient, and empathetic mindsets

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a college/university in the field of Industrial Design or Art / minimum of 10 years of experience in the respective field or an equivalent combination out of education and experience
• At least 5+ years experience of leading Design teams
• Practical experience in the field of Design, including management experience
• Comprehensive knowledge in product design with a clear understanding of the athletics market and its culture
• Fluency in English

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at adidas means championing individual uniqueness and cultivating a culture of belonging in which everyone can create at their best. We embrace diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and seek to create a workforce that reflects our consumers and communities.

adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.

The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $197,000- $290,000. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.

We officially returned to office in a hybrid work environment, working 3 days in office and 2 days remote. The working location of this position is Los Angeles, California.

Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE.

BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

• COURAGE:Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need.
• OWNERSHIP:Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.
• INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
• TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
• INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.
• RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

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.