Sr. Innovator - Design, HOKA Innovation

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us. 

Job Title: Sr. Innovator – Design, HOKA Innovation
Reports to: VP, Innovation - HOKA
Location:  Portland, Oregon

The Role

A HOKA Innovator is versatile and can approach new situations and circumstances in original ways. This person can build on experiences and disciplinary expertise and propose novel solutions. They are inquisitive and perceptive in nature and motivated by change, like to experiment and willing to take risks with ideas and new ways to do things.

A HOKA innovator can identify needs and opportunities and come up with out-of-the-box solutions. They are original in their thoughts and ask others to view a situation or practice in a new way. Most importantly this individual is entrepreneurial that can “ideate and make” and is able to carry a project from inception to commercialization.

The Sr. Innovator, Design possesses extensive expertise in performance footwear design. In depth knowledge of running, track & field, hiking, and trail running footwear is strongly desired. Knowledge of fitness and lifestyle footwear is greatly appreciated and is a plus.

We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

• Works with the design leadership to implement brand vision, design language and product direction. Works with biomechanical / testing team to evaluate and refine product platforms
• Manage and drive multiple innovation projects that align to the innovation calendar 
• Presents concepts with strong verbal and visual execution, while clearly communicating design process and vision
• Design compelling high-performance product that adheres to brand guidelines and answers consumer needs and works with Innovation team to bring technical product to market.
• Develop and create illustrations and tech packs for new design concepts using Illustrator, detailing concept, materials, and development specifications based on HOKA brand design guidelines
• Review, revise and approve prototypes in a timely manner with the key stakeholders
• Travel with the team on development and inspiration trips, to sales meetings, select tradeshows, and significant retail regions/districts

Who You Are

• Ability to lead teammates by example, setting the standard for the collective team
• Creatively agile and adept in innovative thinking, vision and problem solving
• A listener and synthesizer who can make the complex simple and find clarity in ambiguity
• Thinks holistically, finding opportunities for radical enterprise solutions
• Can partner with internal and external parties (consumer insights, agencies, athlete science/sports research, design, testing, development, engineering, manufacturing)
• Advanced project management skills, proactively partnering to facilitate effective meetings and manage key dates and deliverables with project partners
• Expert-level narrative development and communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver project presentations to senior leadership
• Mastery of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop
• Proficient in Microsoft Applications
• Familiar with 3D software for design, Gravity Sketch, Blender, Rhino, Modo, etc. 
• A deep understanding of the requirements to design highly technical performance product
• Ability to immerse with and understand our target consumer and markets
• Demonstrative knowledge of current trends and the ability to interpret trends into commercial product.
• Advanced understanding of footwear design including appropriate use of materials, construction techniques, last creation, materials, color application, etc.
• Well experienced in the preparation and presentation of design concepts and stories to management and other employees of the organization.
• Expert ability to create and interpret technical footwear drawings
• Complete knowledge of interdependency between design and development processes, with the ability to conceptualize and translate from 2D to 3D collaborating with the broader team
• Highly motivated team player and self-starter; ability to motivate and inspire others
• Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills and problem-solving abilities, Strong story-telling skills, with ability to create compelling design stories and themes
• Experience working effectively in complex global organizations, satisfying the needs of diverse constituents, and often working under the pressure of competing and sometimes conflicting priorities
• Strong project management and organizational skills, ability to lead and multi-task in a fast-paced environment, deadline and process driven, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver constructive feedback on design and creative concepts

We’d love to hear from people with

• Bachelor’s degree in design related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 10+ years related footwear design experience
• 1+ years people management experience preferred
• Ability to build a vision, and uphold creative and strategic direction end-to-end to ensure that vision carries through project transitions
• Ability to build a portfolio of focused, future opportunity whilst driving existing projects and programs

What We'll Give You

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all of the other beautiful parts of your identity.

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