Senior Design Manager, Footwear

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Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non‑conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends.

We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side‑by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or

A day in the life of a Senior Design Manager, Footwear at Vans looks a little like this.

As a Senior Design Manager, Footwear, you will work within the Footwear Design team, focusing on creating innovative and brand‑right collections for Vans. You’ll collaborate closely with cross‑functional partners, including Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, and Consumer Insights to deliver seasonal assortments that reflect Vans’ brand vision and cultural leadership. You will report directly to the Senior Director of Footwear.

Let’s break down that day‑in‑the‑life a bit more.

• Drive the design development of Pinnacle Footwear collections in alignment with seasonal concepts, brand vision, and cultural leadership.
• Conduct trend, consumer, and business analysis to inform design strategies and ensure market relevance within the premium footwear segment.
• Lead the creation of innovative footwear concepts, sketches, and design specifications, ensuring technical feasibility and brand‑right execution.
• Oversee material selection, color allocation, and development of finishes, managing sample reviews and final approvals for premium products.
• Inspire, coach, and motivate the Footwear Design team through seasonal collections and special projects, fostering creative excellence.
• Implement sustainable design practices and process efficiencies through effective calendar management and tool optimization.
• Cultivate a collaborative and innovative environment that champions creativity, progression, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Partner with global and regional teams (Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Consumer Insights, etc.) to drive the GTM pipeline for Pinnacle Footwear.
• Manage the end‑to‑end design process from pre‑season research and concept development through cost‑engineering and bulk approvals.
• Ensure clear communication and alignment across all stakeholders involved in the product lifecycle to deliver premium, brand‑right collections.

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 8‑10 years of experience and professional achievements.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience managing and developing design teams, with a proven ability to coach, mentor, and elevate creative talent.
• Proficiency in design software and tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D modeling tools, PLM systems) with the ability to leverage technology for innovation and efficiency.
• Ability to translate consumer insights, trend research, and brand vision into innovative, premium footwear concepts that drive category leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to set clear design direction and lead multiple complex projects in a fast‑paced environment, ensuring priorities and deadlines are achieved through strategic calendar and process management.
• Strong…