Sr. Director, Design, Running

Job Summary

The Sr. Director, Design for Running spearheads the design and innovation strategy, focusing on developing transformative performance products that emphasize fast and light concepts. This role champions KEEN’s “Consciously Created” ethos, embedding sustainability and innovation into every aspect of the design process. The Sr. Director bridges design vision with consumer insights by creating products that resonate with a wide range of runners, from trail enthusiasts to urban athletes. This role oversees the end-to-end design process, ensuring alignment with KEEN’s long-term growth plans, brand differentiation, and global impact, ultimately driving the future of running footwear.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership:

• Defines and executes the design strategy for the running category in alignment with KEEN’s roadmap.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including Product Line Management, Merchandising, and Marketing, to establish a unified vision for the running portfolio.
• Aligns design efforts with business growth goals, ensuring the category achieves revenue, unit, and market share targets.

Innovation and Product Excellence:

• Drives product innovation, emphasizing lightweight performance, durability, and sustainability (e.g., PFAS-free and energy-return foam technologies).
• Spearheads the integration of cutting-edge materials and construction methods that elevate KEEN’s product quality and performance edge.
• Leads the evolution of iconic models (like Zionic and Fast & Light categories), ensuring design is both trend-forward and functional.

Consumer and Market Insights:

• Translates insights from Gen Alpha and outdoor enthusiasts into design solutions that meets their needs for versatility, comfort, and style.
• Leverages global market trends, consumer feedback, and KEEN’s proprietary research to identify design opportunities and white space in the running market.

Global and Regional Impact:

• Ensures regional relevance by incorporating feedback from key markets into global design strategies.
• Partners with regional teams to ensure design supports global sell-in efforts, storytelling, and sustainability goals.

Sustainability Advocacy:

• Leads initiatives that incorporate sustainable materials, processes, and designs into the running category, supporting KEEN’s Consciously Created mission.
• Advocates for environmental stewardship by embedding circularity and ethical practices into the design framework. 

Team and Talent Development:

• Builds and inspires a high-performing, future-focused design team that champions creativity and excellence.
• Cultivates a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability, empowering team members to take ownership of their designs.
• Mentors and develops emerging design talent, creating a pipeline for growth within the organization.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Industrial Design, Footwear Design, Apparel Design, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of experience in footwear design, preferably in performance running or outdoor categories.
• Five (5) or more years of proven leadership experience, including in a senior design or creative direction role.

Any equivalent combination of experience and education which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of sustainable materials, product lifecycle, and ethical production. 
• Understanding market trends, customer preferences, and brand positioning.
• Experience in footwear design, prototyping, and 3D modeling.
• Skills in technical design, material selection, and construction methods.
• Ability to create and refine digital and physical prototypes.
• Strong sense of aesthetics, color theory, and trend forecasting. Problem-solving skills for innovation and functionality.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, from concept to production.
• Adaptability to new technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Attention to detail in testing, fit, and durability.
• Analytical mindset for evaluating performance data and consumer feedback.

 

Trav