Design Director

$185,000 - $212,750/Yr

adidas - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Los Angeles, CA

Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

About the position

The position is focused on shaping and steering the creative vision for partnerships at adidas, translating this vision into product expression in collaboration with partner product creation teams. The role involves leading a design team to create innovative design solutions that align with market trends and the overall partnership strategy, while ensuring effective collaboration across various departments and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop the seasonal direction of the design according to market trends and overall design direction, ensuring consistency across products and ranges.
• Act as a key functional relationship interface with senior leadership, creative direction teams, business units, external consultants, and partners.
• Stay at the forefront of global design trends and innovation, applying them effectively.
• Steer and drive the conceptualization process for design initiatives.
• Manage a team towards objectives and implement necessary process changes.
• Coach team members in their creative processes and drive the development of direct reports.
• Inspire and motivate teams to pursue innovative ideas by researching functional criteria for products and concepts.
• Collaborate closely with the Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships category design to ensure seamless integration.
• Ensure adherence to corporate identity guidelines and legal restrictions within the category.
• Present strategies clearly and effectively to stakeholders.
• Disseminate design strategy to design teams and cross-functional teams.
• Create professional-level presentations of ideas, from sketches to detailed renderings and digital presentations.
• Facilitate efficient communication and processes between external and internal teams.

Requirements

• Undergraduate level design education or equivalent experience.
• Solid education and advanced experience in the creative development of communication tools.
• At least 10 years of design experience in the sporting goods or fashion industry at a managerial level.
• 3 years of personnel management experience, with prior direct footwear design and collaboration/partnerships experience.
• Proven experience with the entire design process, including project scope, time planning, design steps, production, and pre-press processes.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Strong influencing skills and excellent communication abilities.
• High level of initiative, maturity, and a problem-solving attitude.

Nice-to-haves

• Passion for sports, culture, and design.
• Ability to inspire and think creatively and strategically while acting tactically.
• Experience leading teams across multiple locations and managing hybrid teams.

Benefits

• Robust medical coverage including HSA and FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Adoption assistance with surrogate and fertility support.
• Short and long-term disability insurance.
• Basic life and AD&D insurance, with options for supplemental coverage.
• 401k plan with employer match and stock purchase plan.
• Education assistance for employees.
• Generous leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Annual bonus based on company and personal performance.
• Flexible time off accrual that increases with years of service.
• Eleven paid holidays throughout the year and service time off during milestone years.