On - Lead – Footwear Design, Special Projects - Zürich

Team for Career Site

Product Design

In short

As the Lead Footwear Designer for Special Projects, you will define the creative direction and execution of ON’s most innovative and high-profile footwear initiatives. This role centers on shaping ON’s limited-edition collections, strategic collaborations, and experimental concepts—balancing bold creativity with performance-driven design.

You will lead a multi-disciplinary design process, working closely with development, innovation, product management, and marketing teams. From early concept exploration to final product delivery, you’ll drive impactful storytelling and craft elevated footwear experiences that push boundaries and resonate globally.

Your mission

– Lead the design direction and creative development of ON’s Special Projects footwear collections
– Translate cultural insights, market trends, and strategic opportunities into compelling and commercially relevant design concepts
– Guide and mentor a team of designers, ensuring consistent quality and creative alignment across all Special Projects initiatives
– Drive collaboration with cross-functional teams—including Product Management, Innovation, Development, and Marketing—to bring concepts to life
– Own the design process end-to-end, delivering sketches, 2D/3D CADs, specs, and prototypes that meet ON’s performance and design standards
– Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators and factories, to ensure smooth execution from design to production
– Stay ahead of global design, lifestyle, and performance trends, translating insights into fresh and future-ready product stories
– Represent Special Projects design in key meetings, retail visits, and industry events to inform creative strategy and elevate brand presence

Your story

– Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial/Product Design, or a related field
– 6+ years of experience in footwear design, including leading projects within special projects, collaborations, or advanced concepts
– A strong portfolio that demonstrates innovative and strategic design work across lifestyle and/or performance footwear
– Proven ability to lead projects across multiple timelines while balancing creative vision with technical feasibility
– Strong communication and presentation skills; confident in sharing and defending design direction across diverse teams
– Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D design/rendering tools (e.g., Rhino, KeyShot, Blender)
– Entrepreneurial, team-oriented, and driven by curiosity and experimentation
– Fluent in English, written and spoken; additional languages are a plus

Meet the team

Join On’s Special Projects Design team, where innovation, performance, and brand storytelling converge. You’ll collaborate with a tight-knit group of designers, CMF specialists, developers, and marketers to bring bold ideas to life. Whether working on limited-edition collaborations, retailer exclusives, or high-visibility launches, your work will push the boundaries of material innovation and design excellence.