Director, Design - HOKA Performance Footwear

About the Role

The Director, Performance Footwear Design – HOKA leads the creative vision and design execution for HOKA’s Racing, Road, Trail, Training, and Hiking footwear categories. The role reports to the Senior Director, Footwear Design – HOKA and guides a team of designers in creating innovative, athlete-informed footwear solutions that blend performance, storytelling, and distinctive visual identity. It collaborates across Product Management, Innovation, Development, Engineering, CMG, and Digital partners to translate consumer insight and emerging opportunities into industry-leading products. The role shapes the future expression of HOKA Performance Footwear and elevates design craft.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the creative vision for HOKA Performance Footwear across Racing, Road, Trail, Training, and Hiking categories.
• Create distinctive product concepts, design languages, branding, and franchise strategies that strengthen HOKA’s performance leadership.
• Translate athlete insight, cultural shifts, and emerging opportunities into compelling product experiences.
• Champion a “Best Possible” design mindset, balancing innovation, performance, usability, and aesthetic expression.
• Partner with Colour, Material, Graphic, and Digital teams to deliver cohesive and inspiring product stories.
• Protect and elevate design intent across silhouette, proportion, details, construction, athlete experience, and the journey from concept through commercialization.
• Inspire, develop, coach, and mentor a high-performing team of footwear designers, foster a culture of creativity, curiosity, craft, accountability, and continuous improvement, and elevate team capability in concept creation, design storytelling, technical design, and innovation.
• Partner with the Senior Director to recruit, develop, and retain top design talent.
• Create clarity around seasonal priorities, standards, reviews, and deliverables.
• Partner across Product, Innovation, Development, Engineering, CMG, Digital, and Merchandising to bring category visions to life and influence briefs, innovation opportunities, and seasonal priorities through a design-led perspective.
• Communicate compelling design narratives at key reviews and leadership forums.
• Maintain a sharp view of the competitive landscape to inspire innovation and differentiation.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in industrial design, product design, or related field.
• 10+ years of footwear design experience.
• 3+ years leading, managing, or mentoring footwear designers.
• Strong experience leading footwear from concept through commercialization.
• Experience partnering across design, product, development, innovation, engineering, merchandising, and brand teams within a global product creation model.
• Deep creative strength in footwear design, concept development, product storytelling, and visual expression.
• Strong understanding of performance footwear needs across running, racing, trail, training, hiking, and outdoor use.
• Ability to translate athlete insight, consumer need, and competitive landscape into distinctive product direction.
• Strong knowledge of biomechanics, construction, proportion, midsole and outsole design, materials, fit, ride, and performance benefit.
• Advanced technical drawing, visual communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to inspire teams through clear creative direction, constructive feedback, and high design standards.
• Strong understanding of digital design tools and modern creative workflows, including 2D, 3D, and AI-enabled exploration.
• Portfolio demonstrating creative excellence, performance problem solving, technical understanding, and product leadership.

Preferred Skills

• Experience across racing, road, trail, training, hiking, or outdoor performance categories.

Workplace

• Portland, OR (Hybrid)
• Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday – Thursday

Salary

Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive pay and bonuses, with a variety of competitive compensation programs designed to foster career development, reward success, and show employees they are valued.
• Financial planning and wellbeing support, including plans that help protect income, pay for expenses, and invest in the future.
• Time away from work to be with family, focus on health, or recharge, with plans supporting employees to get out, get healthy, and return stronger.
• Extras, discounts, and perks, including generous discounts and community-based programs.
• Growth and development opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings to support a healthy lifestyle at work and at play.

About the Company

Deckers Brands is committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees can Come as They Are, and believes that bringing different perspectives to work makes the team Better Together.