Footwear Designer, Energy & Special Projects

Job Description

Job Description

TOMS is in business to improve lives. When you wear or work with TOMS you help fund access to mental health resources for the millions of people who need them.

About the Role:

TOMS is seeking a highly creative and entrepreneurial Footwear Designer to lead the design and execution of Energy, Collaborations, and Special Projects. This role is responsible for creating compelling footwear concepts that elevate the brand through limited-edition energy launches, strategic partnerships, seasonal moments, and innovation initiatives that operate outside the inline timelines.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and can balance creative storytelling with rapid execution. They are deeply connected to culture, fashion, art, and emerging consumer trends, bringing fresh perspectives that generate excitement while remaining authentic to the TOMS brand. Partnership, clear communication, and collaboration across key functions will be essential for this role.

The Impact You’ll Make:

• Design and develop concepts, sketches, and color CAD’s for footwear collections for collaborations, capsule launches, brand partnerships, and special projects from concept through commercialization.

• Create innovative concepts that drive cultural relevance, brand heat, and consumer engagement while maintaining TOMS' DNA. Target price and margin expectations will be important factors when creating new concepts.

• Creating Tech Packs – Create technical specifications for uppers, outsole and trims. In collaboration with our Product Developers, modify pullovers, outsoles, and trim through the development stage. Create sample requests for each milestone.

• Work on accelerated development calendars, adapting quickly to evolving priorities and compressed timelines.

• Maintaining flexibility and adaptability with critical feedback or essential pivots to meet business or external partner needs.

• Research Trends – Maintain knowledge of global product design, fashion market trends, technology/innovation, and graphics - particularly in lifestyle markets and brands. Research trends in the marketplace globally and create trend boards in tandem with the entire Design team for the two selling seasons. Present trends with the Design team to the larger organization.

• Market Travel – Attend market travel at least 2 times per year with the global product team for inspiration and market insights.

• Global Inline Color and Materials – contribute to materials and color selections for the season with global design team.

• Present designs from sketches, color cads, and pullovers to cross-functional Product, Marketing, and Commercial teams at key milestone meetings.

• Present product concepts and inspiration to brand partners or retailers when appropriate. Prep decks and CAD’s for internal and external meeting needs.

What You Bring:

•  3-5 years’ experience with Adobe suite: Illustrator, Photoshop

• 3-5 years’ experience hand sketching skills- footwear specific

• A portfolio of work samples along with your application

• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, while adapting to changing demands and priorities. 

What We Give: 

• This is a Direct Hire role with a target annual salary range of $90,000 - $100,000, depending on experience, plus an annual bonus based on the company's performance

• Hybrid work environment: Plan for 1-2 days per week, but flexibility depending on the product milestone calendar (some weeks will require a full week in office for key milestones) and you can bring your pup too!

• A $600 stipend when you join to furnish your home office how you like, plus $100 annually to refresh your supplies and gear

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401K with company matching

• A generous PTO policy plus 12 paid annual holidays and one floating holiday

• Half-Size Fridays: enjoy weekends starting at noon each Friday

• 4 free pairs of shoes per year (yes, free!)

• Employee Discount on all of our products, plus discounts on partnering businesses

• Wellness classes & resources (mental health, exercise, parenting, personal finance, nutrition, etc.)

• Anti-Racism educational opportunities, including company-wide days of learning

• Opportunities to volunteer with Impact Partners and Community Organizations

Don't meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply! Studies show that women, non-binary applicants, and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However, at TOMS, our diverse backgrounds, perspectives, identities, and talents help us thrive.

TOMS is a proud B Corporation and a member of the Fair Labor Association. We're committed to transparent and equitable compensation, benefits, and opportunities.

EEO Statement:  TOMS is an equal opportunity employer, committed to intentional anti-racism in all areas of our organization and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with the L.A. Fair Chance Initiative Ordinance.

Compensation Range: $90K - $100K