In short

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.

Your Mission

-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
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
  • 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, KeyShot, 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
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
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.