Senior Specialist - Footwear Design, Special Projects

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