VP, Industrial Design

Polaris Inc.; Medina (MN); On-site; USD 256,000 - 337,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing plan

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Wellness programs

Job summary

Polaris Inc. is seeking a visionary Vice President of Design to lead the strategy and execution across the Powersports design organization, guiding industrial design, UX/UI, and advanced technology.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you will partner with business and product leaders to shape brand, portfolio, and investment decisions while directing a global, multidisciplinary design function from concept through commercialization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or related design discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive design experience, including leadership in complex products and mobility.
• Proven ability to lead large, global design organizations and transform teams.
• Portfolio demonstrating leadership, vision, and launched commercial products.

Responsibilities

• Establish and champion enterprise design vision and long-range strategy for Powersports.
• Lead and develop a global, multidisciplinary Design organization and leadership pipelines.
• Partner with executive and functional leaders to influence product, brand, portfolio, and investment decisions from concept through commercialization.
• Inspire creative teams to develop differentiated products and experiences with strong design execution.
• Lead executive and Board design reviews and communicate design direction and opportunities clearly.
• Maintain alignment across Design, Engineering, Product, Marketing, and Operations.

Skills

Leadership

Business acumen

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview

As Vice President of Design, you will lead the vision, strategy, and execution of Design across the Polaris Powersports organization, overseeing capabilities spanning Industrial Design, CMFG, Clay Studio, Digital Design, UX/UI, Advanced Design, CAID, Studio Engineering, Human Factors & Ergonomics, and Advanced Technology & Innovation. You will serve as the senior design authority, bringing these disciplines together to deliver differentiated products and experiences while shaping the long-term design philosophy of the organization. As a key member of senior leadership, you will partner with Business Unit, Product, Engineering, Marketing, Finance, and executive leaders to influence brand, product, technology, portfolio, and investment strategies. This is an opportunity to shape design across a broad powersports portfolio while leading a global, multidisciplinary organization and influencing products from early exploration through commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and champion the enterprise Powersports design vision, philosophy, and long-range strategy, providing leadership for design exploration and execution, consumer experience, craftsmanship, innovation, and brand differentiation.
• Lead and develop a global, multidisciplinary Design organization, strengthening leadership capabilities, accountability, succession planning, talent pipelines, and organizational structure to support business needs.
• Partner with executive, Business Unit, Product, Engineering, and Marketing leadership to influence product, brand, portfolio, technology, and investment decisions from concept through commercialization.
• Inspire and guide creative teams in developing differentiated products and experiences while fostering collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and strong design execution.
• Lead executive and Board of Directors design reviews, clearly communicating design direction, key decisions, opportunities, and recommendations that support the business.
• Establish consistent design principles, processes, and governance while enabling creativity, innovation, and effective collaboration across design disciplines and cross-functional partners.
• Develop and oversee the Design operating strategy in partnership with Finance and Design Operations, including budgets, forecasts, workforce planning, studio capabilities, technology investments, and resource allocation.
• Maintain alignment across Design, Engineering, Product, Marketing, Operations, and other partners, effectively navigating organizational change and competing business priorities.
• Apply an understanding of powersports vehicle architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and technical requirements to help ensure design intent is successfully carried through production.
• Guide Innovation and Advanced Technology activities within the Design organization and help connect emerging technologies with future design opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of global consumer, design, technology, automotive, powersports, mobility, and cultural trends, and represent Polaris and its brands within the broader design community.

Desired Competencies

• Leadership: You inspire, guide, and empower others to achieve their best by setting clear direction, fostering trust, and creating an environment where people feel supported, motivated, and accountable for delivering results.
• Business Acumen: You understand how your work impacts financial performance, operational efficiency, and organizational goals, and you make decisions with the broader business context in mind.
• Collaboration: You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or a related design discipline from an accredited university or college; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive design experience, including significant leadership experience within complex products, transportation, automotive, powersports, or mobility organizations and extensive global vehicle or complex product development experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, multidisciplinary and/or global design organizations, including developing senior creative talent and leading organizational transformation across complex, cross-functional environments.
• Proven ability to establish and execute enterprise-level design strategies across multiple brands, product categories, or business units and translate brand positioning into differentiated products and consumer experiences.
• Portfolio demonstrating design leadership, creative vision, and successfully launched commercial products.
• Strong ability to inspire and guide creative design teams and product partners across an organization, including demonstrated capability to lead transformation.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to connect design strategy to broader business and product strategy.
• Business and financial acumen, including experience with organizational planning, budgets, investments, resource allocation, and portfolio prioritization.

The starting pay range for Minnesota

is $256,000 to $337,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography. While individual pay could fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is not common to start at the high end or top of the range.

To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market‑leading profit‑sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay‑for‑performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high‑quality product line‑up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side‑by‑side off‑road vehicles; Sportsman® all‑terrain off‑road vehicles; military and commercial off‑road vehicles; snowmobiles; Slingshot® moto‑roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry‑leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

EEO Statement

Polaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or [e-mail]. To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov)

EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled