Head of Color Design

At On, color is more than an aesthetic choice—it is a strategic tool that connects emotion, performance, brand storytelling, and color trends. As Head of Color Design - Footwear, you will own and define the global color vision for On footwear, shaping the brand’s visual language across Lifestyle and Performance categories. Sitting at the intersection of creativity, science, and innovation, you will lead color strategy from long-range vision through seasonal execution.

You will guide, inspire, and develop several sub-teams of color designers while working closely with Product Design, Apparel Color Design, Development, Merchandising, and Product Strategy to ensure a cohesive, consumer-led, and future-facing color expression. This is a leadership role with significant influence on brand identity, product success, and sustainability innovation.

• Color Vision & Strategy
  • Define and own the long-term and seasonal color strategy for Footwear, ensuring alignment with On’s brand DNA, consumer insights, and commercial objectives.
  • Translate brand and product strategy into compelling color directions that balance innovation, consistency, and scalability.
  • Act as the key decision-maker for footwear color direction across categories and franchises.
  • Co-define seasonal color palettes together with the Head of App/ACC Color.
• Consumer & Brand Storytelling
  • Leverage color as a storytelling and emotional driver, strengthening brand recognition and consumer connection.
  • Develop clear color narratives that support performance, lifestyle relevance, and merchandising clarity.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Apparel Color Design to ensure a cohesive, cross-category color expression.
  • Collaborate with Product Strategy, Footwear Design, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing to align color decisions with product intent, go-to-market strategies, and retail needs.
  • Influence stakeholders at all levels through a strong point of view, data-backed insights, and compelling presentations.
• Trend Forecasting & Insight
  • Lead cultural, artistic, and technological trend research, translating macro insights into actionable, ownable color palettes.
  • Balance trend relevance with longevity and brand consistency.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of color designers, fostering a culture of creativity, curiosity, inclusion, and accountability.
  • Set clear direction, priorities, and standards while empowering designers to push boundaries.
• Process, Tools & Excellence
  • Own and evolve the footwear color design process from concept through production.
  • Curate and maintain best-in-class digital and physical color libraries. Ensure clear briefs, efficient handovers, and strong collaboration with Zurich- and Vietnam-based teams.
• Sustainability & Innovation
  • Champion sustainable color solutions by challenging conventional dyeing and finishing processes.
  • Partner with Development and Supply Chain to improve environmental impact, durability, and scalability of color applications.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Color Science, Material Design, Industrial Design, or a related discipline.
• ~10+ years of experience in color design within footwear or apparel, including significant leadership experience.
• Proven ability to define and execute color strategy at a brand or category level.
• Strong understanding of footwear manufacturing processes and technical constraints related to color application.
• Demonstrated experience working with merchandising strategies, consumer insights, and data-driven assortment planning.
• Advanced knowledge of color systems (Coloro, Pantone), Adobe Creative Suite, and PLM tools; familiarity with data tools (e.g. Looker) is a plus.
• Passion for sustainability, innovation, and future-focused design solutions.
• Confident, collaborative leader with the ability to influence across disciplines and cultures.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); additional languages are a plus.

Our Color and Materials team is a key driver of On’s visual identity and sensory experience across all product…