In short

As the Lead Footwear Designer for Special Projects, you will define the creative direction and execution of ON’s most innovative and high-profile footwear initiatives. This role centers on shaping ON’s limited-edition collections, strategic collaborations, and experimental concepts—balancing bold creativity with performance-driven design.

You will lead a multi-disciplinary design process, working closely with development, innovation, product management, and marketing teams. From early concept exploration to final product delivery, you’ll drive impactful storytelling and craft elevated footwear experiences that push boundaries and resonate globally.

Your Mission

  • Lead the design direction and creative development of ON’s Special Projects footwear collections
  • Translate cultural insights, market trends, and strategic opportunities into compelling and commercially relevant design concepts
  • Guide and mentor a team of designers, ensuring consistent quality and creative alignment across all Special Projects initiatives
  • Drive collaboration with cross-functional teams—including Product Management, Innovation, Development, and Marketing—to bring concepts to life
  • Own the design process end-to-end, delivering sketches, 2D/3D CADs, specs, and prototypes that meet ON’s performance and design standards
  • Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators and factories, to ensure smooth execution from design to production
  • Stay ahead of global design, lifestyle, and performance trends, translating insights into fresh and future-ready product stories
  • Represent Special Projects design in key meetings, retail visits, and industry events to inform creative strategy and elevate brand presence
Group of girls smiling
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera

Your story

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial/Product Design, or a related field
  • 6+ years of experience in footwear design, including leading projects within special projects, collaborations, or advanced concepts
  • A strong portfolio that demonstrates innovative and strategic design work across lifestyle and/or performance footwear
  • Proven ability to lead projects across multiple timelines while balancing creative vision with technical feasibility
  • Strong communication and presentation skills; confident in sharing and defending design direction across diverse teams
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D design/rendering tools (e.g., Rhino, KeyShot, Blender)
  • Entrepreneurial, team-oriented, and driven by curiosity and experimentation
  • Fluent in English, written and spoken; additional languages are a plus
two women sitting at a table talking with laptops

About the Team

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.

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Two woman having a talk at a table

Athlete

Athlete

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The difference is in the detail. So we push boundaries. Mark those marginal gains. All in pursuit of designing ever better looking products. That’s what we do – what’s best today, can be improved tomorrow.

Learn about our Spirits
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What we offer

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.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.