Head of Footwear Design Special Projects

Sets the creative vision and design direction for On's most progressive footwear concepts, limited-edition partnerships, and cultural collaborations. It leads a high-performing team of footwear and CMF designers, translating cultural intelligence and avant-garde thinking into groundbreaking, commercially viable products. The Special Projects Design team is a highly specialised group focused on culture, limited-edition partnerships, and avant-garde thinking, working from first idea to final prototype to deliver footwear that inspires.

• Lead end-to-end creative direction and aesthetic vision for all footwear initiatives within Special Projects, delivering forward-facing design concepts that bring heat to the On brand.
• Translate global cultural insights, macro trends, and consumer shifts into compelling, commercially viable design languages that elevate On's footwear portfolio.
• Steer early-stage concept exploration in collaboration with innovation teams, integrating proprietary technologies into limited-edition and pinnacled executions.
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of Footwear and CMF Designers, fostering an environment of creative exploration, experimentation, and design excellence.
• Establish team workflows, design standards, and creative benchmarks, empowering designers to take calculated risks and execute with precision.
• Drive the adoption of next-generation design methodologies, including 3D visualisation and AI-assisted creation tools, to optimise workflows and expand exploratory capabilities.
• Drive alignment across Product Management, Footwear Development, and Innovation to guide projects seamlessly from initial ideation to market-ready reality.
• Act as the senior design authority in external partner relationships, co-creating with collaborators while safeguarding On's aesthetic integrity and brand standards.
• Represent Special Projects design at strategic partner sessions, milestone reviews, and industry events to champion design choices and amplify On's presence.

• Expert background in Footwear Design & Concept Creation, with a strong drive for Creative Direction & Brand Storytelling.
• 10+ years of experience leading design pipelines and driving world-class products, with a proven track record of setting direction and developing creative talent in global environments.
• Deep knowledge in Footwear Construction & Technical Feasibility, successfully balancing aesthetic vision with technical innovation.
• Advanced expertise in CMF (Colour, Material, Finish) Design & Craftsmanship, with a passion for elevated product executions.
• Strong digital design capabilities and generative AI fluency, with a willingness to explore new tools to expand creative workflows and team capabilities.
• Exceptional strategic decision-making skills and an analytic approach to navigating complex collaborative structures and external partner relationships.
• Ability to thrive as a senior leader in cross-functional environments, collaboratively engaging with internal teams and external creatives to co-create boundary-pushing concepts.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Expert in innovation, pushing the boundaries of design, bringing revolutionary concepts to life, and redefining the creative envelope.
• Expert in delivering excellence, demanding and delivering the highest standards of craftsmanship and ensuring design integrity from concept to creation.
• Advanced in setting direction, defining clear creative pathways and inspiring the team and external partners to align with a singular, powerful vision.
• Advanced in strategic decision-making, effectively balancing brand identity, commercial viability, and creative risk to navigate complex projects.
• Advanced in collaboration and developing talent, fostering a culture of mutual respect and learning and empowering designers and external collaborators to co-create effectively.

We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.