About the position

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next? Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you. To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com. What will you do? A day in the life of a Senior Director, Footwear Design at Vans looks a little like this. The Senior Director, Footwear Design operates within the Global Footwear Design team, supporting Vans’ Global team and influencing seasonal direction. This role partners closely with Product Merchants, Development, and other Design leaders to ensure cohesive seasonal strategies and commercially viable products. The Senior Director leads the creative vision and execution for footwear collections, driving innovation, brand integrity, and consumer relevance while meeting financial and margin targets. In addition, this role will lead and develop a team of footwear designers, fostering creativity and collaboration to deliver best-in-class design solutions. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Footwear Design and Innovation. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

Responsibilities

• Lead the seasonal footwear design vision by translating brand strategy into innovative, consumer-relevant collections that meet financial and margin targets.
• Drive concept development and execution of new models, technologies, and advanced materials, ensuring designs are functional, feasible, and commercially viable.
• Oversee creation of high-quality design packages including sketches, tech specs, colorways, and presentation tools for internal reviews and go-to-market meetings.
• Manage and mentor a team of designers (in-house and external), fostering creativity, collaboration, and accountability while meeting corporate timelines.
• Ensure brand integrity and consistency across all footwear categories through design language, trims, and storytelling that reinforce Vans’ identity.
• Partner cross-functionally with Product Merchants, Development, Sourcing, and Costing teams to align on briefs, meet margin requirements, and deliver market-ready products.
• Monitor and optimize design process to meet KPIs including gross margin, complexity, and timely delivery, while supporting advanced concept integration.
• Collaborate with other design leaders to maintain cohesive seasonal direction and share best practices across categories.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Footwear Design, Product Design, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree in Design, Business, or Innovation is a plus.
• Proven footwear design expertise with deep knowledge of materials, construction techniques, and manufacturing processes.
• Strategic design leadership experience, 12+ years in footwear design with a track record of leading teams and delivering innovative, market-relevant products.
• Strong trend awareness and ability to translate consumer insights, cultural movements, and global fashion trends into compelling design solutions.
• Creative vision and storytelling skills to develop brand-right concepts that resonate with consumers and reinforce Vans’ identity.
• Technical proficiency in design tools and platforms (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, PLM systems) and ability to produce accurate tech packages.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills to partner effectively with Product Merchants, Development, Sourcing, and Costing teams.
• Business acumen with understanding of costing, target margins, and commercial viability to ensure designs meet financial objectives.
• Mentorship and team development experience to inspire creativity and foster growth within a diverse design team.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills for internal and external audiences.
• Ability to influence and align multiple stakeholders across design, product, and development teams.
• Experience managing complex design calendars and driving process improvements.
• Hybrid schedule in-office in Costa Mesa, CA.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with global brands and understanding regional market nuances.
• Background in integrating advanced concepts and emerging technologies into footwear design.
• Familiarity with sustainable design practices and innovative material sourcing.

Benefits

• We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity.
• Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.