Director Sports Research

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

The New Balance Sports Research Team is a multidisciplinary group of innovators focused on advancing human performance through scientific exploration. We use our state-of-the-art 17,000-square-foot research space—including running tracks, turf and court surfaces, body scanners, an environmental chamber, high-speed force treadmills, and material-testing equipment—to answer tomorrow’s footwear and apparel questions. We are seeking an accomplished scientific leader to direct the New Balance Sports Research Lab.

The ideal candidate combines scientific rigor, strategic thinking, and inclusive people leadership with the ability to translate athlete and consumer insights into meaningful product impact. This leader will shape the future of Sports Research while building the capabilities, partnerships, and culture required for sustained product innovation.

• Drive the vision, mission, and purpose of Sports Research, formulating a clear three-to-five-year strategy and research roadmap in partnership with Innovation and product leadership.
• Provide technical leadership within and beyond the team on research design, product validation, research methods, biomechanics, physiology, mechanical testing, perception, and data analysis; ensure each program begins with a clear, testable hypothesis tied directly to the business unit brief.
• Ensure research plans are thorough and robust, execution meets high standards of scientific quality, and products are sufficiently validated before findings and recommendations are shared.
• Lead the synthesis of research results into clear, data-driven product recommendations; drive alignment with category and global teams and the rollout of research and validation best practices.
• Represent the Sports Research perspective during product briefs, pitch backs, design reviews, and development milestones, using athlete, consumer, and cultural insight to influence product direction.
• Identify, establish, and incubate external research partnerships that expand team capabilities and align with the long-term research strategy.
• Build an inclusive, high-performing multidisciplinary team; set clear expectations, coach performance, develop talent, and create meaningful learning and career-growth opportunities.
• Develop and continuously improve state-of-the-art research infrastructure, including facilities, equipment, software, tools, processes, programs, protocols, procedures, and data-quality standards.
• Plan and manage capital and operating budgets, ensuring investments, facility improvements, and team growth are aligned with strategic priorities and remain within assigned budgets.
• Establish clear priorities and accountability across the portfolio; ensure projects are tracked, risks are identified early, contingency plans are developed, and commitments are delivered on schedule.

• A graduate degree in biomechanics, kinesiology, exercise science, engineering or related field.
• 15+ years of research experience, with at least 6 years in a people-management role.
• Proven ability to build effective multidisciplinary teams, develop talent, set performance expectations, and lead inclusively in an industry or applied-research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate strategy, align senior stakeholders, make…