Senior Design Director, Partnerships

Department Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships

Direc Reporting line Vice President, Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships

Subsidiary/country USA

Location Los Angeles, CA

Number of Personnel Managed 4-6

Cost Center/Budget and/or Revenue Responsibility Yes

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

Develop and steer the Culture, Collaborations and Partnerships design vision into product expression in partnership with the product creation team. The Senior Design Director will drive one holistic strategy for partnerships in North America across footwear, apparel and accessories and will foster a one team mentality within our design community.

Key Responsibilities

Manage and foster creativity within the design team to ensure that the Company creates and manufactures products that meet the needs of the Partner and customers.

Collaborate with development to find new and more innovative methods of working to improve products and product ranges.

Drive partnership marketing strategies that can be implemented throughout Design

Close collaboration with Product Marketing and Development to implement strategies, concepts, and projects the overall succss

Manage, supervise, and provide feedback and development opportunities for teams.

Provide designs for key projects to demonstrate leadership and set a high standard of design excellence

Inspire and motivate teams to pursue cutting-edge ideas that are innovative in the market

Represent and lead a strong multi-disciplinary Design team when in contact with internal and external parties

Be up to date on consumers, cultural trends, fashion, sports culture, and athletic findings across multiple categories and disciplines.

Influencing and working closely with Partner(s) on design direction

Oversees all Design Direction from Concepts through Development and Go To Market launches; ensures design and performance objectives; delivers holistic creative process, market research, storytelling, and product design execution.

Key Relationships

Product Marketing

External Partner(s)

External Agencies & Creative Resources

Concept to Consumer

Product Operations

Costing and Development

Project Management

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Profound textile, graphic, footwear/apparel design knowledge, and credible expertise

Holistic thinker, can establish and drive end-to-end design strategy and initiatives

Inspirational and visionary leader

Strong presentation, planning, and analytical skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong influence skills and change management

Ability to manage a team of personnel, direct and indirect

Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Comprehensive knowledge of product design with a clear understanding of the athletics market and its culture

Practical knowledge in the field of computer design software/systems and MS Office

Display and model innovative, resilient, and empathetic mindsets

Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a college/university in the field of Industrial Design or Art / minimum of 10 years of experience in the respective field or an equivalent combination out of education and experience

At least 5+ years experience of leading Design teams

Practical experience in the field of Design, including management experience

Comprehensive knowledge in product design with a clear understanding of the athletics market, connectivity to the athletics statement culture and consumer

Fluency in English

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at adidas means championing individual uniqueness and cultivating a culture of belonging in which everyone can create at their best. We embrace diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and seek to create a workforce that reflects our consumers and communities. adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $197,000-295,000.00. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, eleven paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years. We officially returned to office in a hybrid work environment, working 3 days in office and 2 days remote. The working location of this position is Los Angeles, CA. Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.