PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION The Design Director Footwear Innovation role requires a creative and motivated individual who can contribute to the design language of our products, support innovation, and collaborate across functions. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, and passionate about creating cutting-edge solutions for athletes. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES · Contribute to implementing the Design Direction for adidas Innovation. · Lead a small team of designers to help establish and maintain a clear design language for our high-performance FTW concepts. · Be at the global forefront of design trends and innovation as well as their application. · Drive the conceptualization process within innovation design. · Be an active leader within innovation design to challenge conventions and bring newness to our concepts. · Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to ensure alignment and cohesiveness in product development. · Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence within the team. · Support design and material development, working closely with development partners to build high-performance prototypes. · Consider small-batch production and industrialization of concepts, ensuring speed of handover for online development. · Work with cross-functional innovation competencies to source and develop new ingredients for product innovation. · Work closely with athletes, engaging in dialogue to create tailored solutions. · Spend time with factories and suppliers to drive innovative solutions and generate intellectual property (IP) and novelty in design and manufacturing. · Collaborate with legal team to build a portfolio of patents and design registrations (IDFs). KEY RELATIONSHIPS · Innovation Teams · Creative Direction · Innovation Development · Different departments within Design KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES · Strong portfolio demonstrating innovative product design and development within the FTW industry. · Entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for driving creativity and innovation. · Proven leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. · First experience in managing cross-functional teams and building relationships with athletes, suppliers, and partners, ideally across borders. · Fluent in English (verbal and written). REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS · Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field. · Minimum of 8 years of practical experience in design roles within the sporting goods or related industry. · At least 3 years experience of leading Footwear Design teams.