Senior Specialist - Footwear Design, Special Projects

Job Details

This role is embedded within ON’s Special Projects Footwear Design team and plays a key role in shaping limited-edition, collaborative, and high-impact footwear concepts. A Footwear Design role with a focus on color and material, you'll contribute to and drive creative development on high-impact, forward-thinking projects driven by compelling storytelling and innovative material strategies.

With a sharp eye for global trends, a deep knowledge of materials, and a strong design sensibility, you will translate conceptual ideas into footwear that not only meets our aesthetic and performance standards, but also responds to evolving consumer and market needs. You’ll collaborate across disciplines-working hand-in-hand with CMF, Innovation, Product Management, and Development-to bring bold, disruptive, and refined footwear concepts to life.

• Influence and drive the design direction for Special Projects footwear, from concept development through to production
• Focus strongly on colour and material storytelling, collaborating closely with CMF and innovation teams to define iconic executions
• Create compelling, account-driven or limited-release designs that elevate ON’s brand visibility and commercial impact
• Research and integrate new material technologies, dyeing methods, print innovations, and sustainable finishes into your footwear designs
• Maintain a deep awareness of macro / micro design trends, streetwear and fashion culture, and emerging market dynamics
• Ensure alignment with regional and global product strategies by adapting design direction to specific markets, communities, and retail partners
• Partner with developers and external vendors to ensure material feasibility and performance requirements are met
• Deliver detailed CADs, material specs, and production-ready documentation for handover to development and manufacturing teams
• Contribute to trend research, material library development, and colour / material innovation initiatives across the design team
• Represent design in cross-functional meetings, trade shows, and retail / market visits to inform and inspire design direction

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial / Product Design, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in footwear design with a strong emphasis on CMF (Colour & Materials) and special projects or collaborations
• Strong portfolio demonstrating innovative footwear designs and advanced material and colour applications
• Deep understanding of materials development, manufacturing processes, and CMF storytelling within a footwear context
• Ability to manage multiple design timelines and priorities across overlapping projects
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with experience presenting creative work to diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and rendering tools (e.g., Rhino, Key Shot, Blender)
• Fluent in English, written and spoken (additional languages are a plus)
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, experimentation, and shaping the future of footwear

Join On’s Special Projects Design team, where innovation, performance, and brand storytelling converge. You’ll collaborate with a tight-knit group of designers, CMF specialists, developers, and marketers to bring bold ideas to life. Whether working on limited-edition collaborations, retailer exclusives, or high-visibility launches, your work will push the boundaries of material innovation and design excellence.

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically - to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.