Senior Performance Footwear Designer - Innovation

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today. At New Balance, We Got Now.

About Us

At New Balance, we're committed to crafting footwear that blends performance, innovation, and style. Our legacy is built on a foundation of quality and a relentless pursuit of craftsmanship. As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in footwear, we are looking for a future thinker to join our team as a Senior Footwear Designer Innovation. This role is critical in driving our mission forward, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and ensuring our athletes have a competitive edge.

Who we want to join us

A Senior Footwear Designer that will help lead category innovation design into the future, creating revolutionary footwear solutions for all types of athletes while painting a picture of New Balance's role in their lives over the next decade. A leader in innovation design that will deliver the unexpected for all aspects of footwear across many sports identifying opportunities to connect insights, science, technology and design. We want you to join a team with a mission to create disruptive experiences that go above and beyond the athlete's wildest dreams.

Key Responsibilities

Running Category Innovation

• Design: Actively designing footwear concepts and solutions that lead and push the category innovation team, working 36-48 months from market that will drive the brand into the future.
• Leadership: Encourage and foster a culture of innovation and professional growth within the design team, challenging conventional design norms and exploring new ideas.
• Tell stories: Throughout the creation process communicate the "why" and produce a narrative that engages the team, the brand, and the consumer.
• Be a maker: Take risks, solve problems and utilize any and all tools necessary from sketch to 3D, and rapid prototyping to create fast, test and learn.
• Be a true innovator: An idea is only as good as the realization of the concept. Be a catalyst of creation by translating designs into prototypes, driving innovation through materials, manufacturing processes, and a relentless attention to detail.
• Brand Alignment and Strategy: Support the long-term brand strategies, align with business goals and growth plans, and ensure that all footwear designs are consistent with the brand's values while strategically pushing us above and beyond our wildest dreams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree: Typically, industrial design, or a related field. A focus on footwear design or a specialized program in footwear is highly advantageous.
• Industry Experience: At least 6-8 years of experience in footwear design, with a proven track record of successful collections and products. A focus on performance products
• Leadership Experience: Some experience and interest in a leadership role, managing design projects and project teams.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing a range of successful footwear designs, demonstrating creativity, technical skills, and market success.
• Design Software: Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) along with new AI tools (Vizcom)
• Technical Design: Strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• 3D Design: Experience with 3D design and prototyping tools is a must. Gravity Sketch or Modo preferred.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic thinking and planning skills to align design vision with business goals.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey design concepts and strategies to various stakeholders.
• Presentation: Strong presentation skills to showcase designs and collections to internal teams, executives, buyers, and media.
• Passion for Footwear: A genuine passion for footwear design and the fashion industry.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in both design and execution.

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks - opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs - that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You'll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword - it's part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced "Work from Anywhere" (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates and takes affirmative action to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran.