Expert Designer – Performance Footwear
About the position At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us. HOKA is redefining performance footwear through bold, disruptive design and a relentless pursuit of new possibilities. As an Expert Designer – Performance Footwear, you’ll be a creative leader who shapes the future of athletic movement. You’ll design innovative, future-facing products that elevate athletes of all kinds, translating insights into meaningful solutions and driving clarity, craft, and momentum from concept to final product. We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.
Responsibilities
- Lead design for category priority projects, managing innovation to inline handoff
- Contribute to design strategy, category constructs, and HOKA’s creative vision
- Design forward-thinking performance footwear that blends innovation, function, and HOKA’s design DNA
- Translate athlete and consumer insights into compelling concepts and product solutions
- Explore new materials, constructions, and aesthetics to bring meaningful newness to performance products
- Shape progressive performance narratives and seasonal design direction
- Create inspiring design stories and develop accurate illustrations, 2D drawings, renderings, and tech packs
- Mentor junior designers, guiding project execution and interpretation of seasonal direction
- Lead product franchise vision and execution across multiple designers
- Set style and color direction for projects and categories, contributing to seasonal inspiration planning
- Present seasonal themes and design direction at key internal and external touchpoints
- Collaborate closely with Design, Marketing, Development, Innovation, Engineering, and Digital Product teams
- Share expert knowledge of running, outdoor, and lifestyle footwear competitive landscape
- Mentor the design team in consumer understanding
- Attend seasonal kickoff events and participate in design travel and inspiration planning
Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in industrial design, product design, interaction design, or a related field
- Bring 8+ years of experience in performance footwear design
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of footwear materials, construction, and process (tooling + upper)
- Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Miro or Lucid
- Expertise in leading generative AI platforms (e.g. Midjourney, Vizcom, etc.)
- Possess strong leadership and communication skills, with a track record of building and mentoring creative teams
- Showcase a portfolio of creative excellence and technical innovation in digital design
Benefits
- Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
- Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
- Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
- Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
- Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
- Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.
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