Design Director

Area adidas Brand

Department Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships

Indirect / secondary reporting line Vice President Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships

Location Los Angeles, California

Number of Personnel Managed 3-5

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization

The work created will function to shape and steer the Partnership(s) Creative Vision into product expression in partnership with adidas / Partner product creation teams.

Create industry leading advanced design solutions that provide design direction to the look / feel of Partnership strategy to market.

Lead and establish team and direction of designs provided by Senior Design Leader(s) and Partner. Maintain and nurture the design, material and color direction with the Design team, Development, Marketing, and the consumer.

Influence both design teams developing Current and Future product initiatives across key categories based on direction of Senior Design Leader(s) & Partner.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the seasonal Direction of the Design according to market trends as well as overall Design Direction and ensure consistency though products and ranges
• Be a key functional relationship interface with CC&P Senior Leadership Team, Originals Basketball & Partnerships Creative Direction, ADIDAS Business Units teams, External Consultants and Partner(s)
• Be at a global forefront of design trends and innovation as well as their application
• Steer and drive the conceptualization process
• Manage a team towards objectives and implement process changes
• Steer and coach team members and their creative processes and drive development of direct reports.
• Inspire and motivate teams to pursue cutting edge ideas that are innovative and original in the market, by researching functional criteria for product and product concepts and outlining area of innovation
• Work closely with Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships category design to drive seamless collaboration.
• Ensure the correct execution of Corporate Identity guidelines and against legal restrictions within the category.
• Verbally present strategies with clarity and expertise.
• Disseminate Design Strategy into design team and x-functional teams
• Create professional level presentations of ideas; from loose sketch to detailed renderings to Digital Presentation
• Ensure efficient processes and communication between external and internal teams

Key Relationships

• Product Marketing / Go To Market / Brand Communications
• Development
• SAMPLE ROOM
• Culture, Collaborations & Partnerships Design Teams wider Originals Basketball and Partnerships Design teams
• Adidas Brand Design Teams
• External creative partners
• Partner

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and use of Macintosh computer design software / systems (Photoshop, Illustrator,3D rendering programs)
• Passion for sports, culture, design
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong influencing skills
• High level of initiative & maturity
• Ability to inspire, think creatively and strategically as well as to act tactically
• Problem solving attitude & can-do personality. Proven ability to find avenues to success in the face of challenges
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)
• Lead teams across multiple locations, build and manage hybrid teams, including external creative resources

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• Under-graduate level Design education or combination thereof
• Solid education and advanced experience in the creative development of communication tools
• At least 10 years’ design experience in Sporting Goods / Fashion Industry on managerial level
• 3 years personnel management experience
• Prior direct Footwear design and collaboration / partnerships experience
• Proven experience with the entire design process (project scope and time planning, design steps, production / execution of design solution, pre-press processes)
• Passion for adidas and it’s mission

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at adidas means championing individual uniqueness and cultivating a culture of belonging in which everyone can create at their best.

We embrace diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and seek to create a workforce that reflects our consumers and communities.

adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage.

Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .

4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, eleven paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.

The anticipated low and high end of the base pay range for this position is $185,000 to $212,750. Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, proficiency for the role.

adidas is an equal opportunity employer and will consider requests for accommodation in accordance with all relevant laws.

We officially returned to office in a hybrid work environment, working 3 days in office and 2 days remote. The working location of this position is Los Angeles, CA.

Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.