Director, Digital Concept Design, Footwear - HOKA

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.
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* Job Title:

** Director, Digital Concept Design - HOKA    
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* Reports to:

** Vice President, Global Design - HOKA
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* Location:

** Portland, OR (Hybrid)
** The Role
** Step into a future where digital innovation meets creative excellence. As the Director of Digital Concept Design for HOKA, you will lead the charge in redefining performance footwear through visionary digital tools and generative AI. You’ll be the architect of systems and workflows that empower creative teams, accelerate development, and unlock new dimensions of design. This is your opportunity to shape the future of footwear, inspire bold thinking, and build a culture of fearless innovation.
** 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.
**** Your Impact
*** Define and drive HOKA’s digital design enablement roadmap, integrating 3D design, AI visualization, and prototyping tools into the footwear design process
* Build and scale design tools and workflows that enhance creativity and efficiency for the entire design team
* Rapidly prototype and test digital concepts, including AI-generated forms and interactive environments
* Partner with VP of Design and Design Directors to set bold category vision and creative direction
* Collaborate with internal and external teams to develop custom digital workflows and generative design systems
* Empower the design community through training programs, toolkits, and hands-on support for digital and AI tools
* Work closely with footwear design, innovation, engineering, and digital product teams to align tools with real-world needs
* Prototype the future by developing and testing digital concepts that challenge convention and inspire new possibilities
* Foster a culture of experimentation, learning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration
* Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, promoting innovation and continuous learning
* Support career development and growth through coaching, feedback, and performance management
* Drive a team culture rooted in trust, pride, and purpose, aligned with HOKA’s employee-centric values
* Partner with Design Leadership Team and Brand Creative to define annual and seasonal creative vision and design direction
* Attend seasonal kickoff events and travel to factories as required to bring digital concepts to life
** Who You Are
*** Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in industrial design, product design, interaction design, or a related field
* Bring 10+ years of experience in 3D footwear design, creative technology, or digital product creation, with a focus on tool-building and workflow innovation
* Have 5+ years of people management experience, with a track record of building and mentoring creative teams
* Demonstrate expertise in 2D and 3D NURBS + POLY design and render tools (e.g., Rhino, Modo, Blender, Zbrush, Grasshopper, Gravity Sketch, Unreal, Keyshot, Substance Painter, Adobe Creative Suite)
* Lead generative AI platforms (e.g., Midjourney, Vizcom, etc.) and have deep knowledge of performance footwear design, tooling design, mold design, and footwear manufacturing techniques
* Excel in performance footwear upper and tooling 3D modeling
* Have experience developing and implementing digital workflows for design teams, including AI-assisted ideation, visualization, and prototyping
* Are familiar with rapid prototyping, simulation, and digital-to-physical pipelines
* Possess strong leadership and communication skills
* Showcase a portfolio of creative excellence and technical innovation in digital design
* Bring expert-level knowledge of running, outdoor, and lifestyle footwear…