Head of Footwear Special Projects

On AG Vacant since : 03.11.2026 Number of jobs : 1 8005 Zürich (ZH) 100% By agreement Permanent

In short

The Head of Footwear Design - Special Projects sets the creative vision and design direction for On's most progressive footwear concepts, limited‑edition partnerships, and cultural collaborations. Leading a high‑performing team of footwear and CMF designers, you translate cultural intelligence and avant‑garde thinking into groundbreaking, commercially viable products that push the boundaries of footwear design.

Your work elevates brand heat and expands On's design language across the global sports and lifestyle landscape.

Your Mission

Lead the end‑to‑end creative direction and aesthetic vision for all footwear initiatives within Special Projects, delivering forward‑facing design concepts that bring heat to the On brand. Translate global cultural insights, macro trends, and consumer shifts into compelling, commercially viable design languages that elevate On's footwear portfolio. Steer early‑stage concept exploration in collaboration with innovation teams, integrating proprietary technologies into limited‑edition and pinnacled executions.

Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary team of Footwear and CMF Designers, fostering an environment of creative exploration, experimentation, and design excellence. Establish team workflows, design standards, and creative benchmarks, empowering designers to take calculated risks and execute with precision. Drive the adoption of next‑generation design methodologies, including 3D visualization and AI‑assisted creation tools, to optimize workflows and expand exploratory capabilities.

Drive alignment across Product Management, Footwear Development, and Innovation to guide projects seamlessly from initial ideation to market‑ready reality. Act as the senior design authority in external partner relationships, co‑creating with collaborators while safeguarding On’s aesthetic integrity and brand standards. Represent Special Projects design at strategic partner sessions, milestone reviews, and industry events to champion design choices and amplify On’s presence.

Your Story

You hold a background as an expert in Footwear Design & Concept Creation, possessing a strong drive for Creative Direction & Brand Storytelling. 10+ years of experience leading design pipelines and driving world‑class products, with a proven track record of setting direction and developing creative talent in global environments. Deep knowledge in Footwear Construction & Technical Feasibility, successfully balancing aesthetic vision with technical innovation.

Advanced expertise in CMF (Color, Material, Finish) Design & Craftsmanship with a passion for elevated product executions. Strong digital design capabilities and generative AI fluency, always exploring new tools to expand creative workflows and team capabilities. Exceptional strategic decision‑making skills and an analytic approach to navigating complex collaborative structures and external partner relationships. You thrive as a senior leader in cross‑functional environments, collaboratively engaging with internal teams and external creatives to co‑create boundary‑pushing concepts.

Fluent in English both written and spoken.

Attributes of a successful candidate

• Innovation (Expert):
  You push the boundaries of design, bringing revolutionary concepts to life and redefining the creative envelope.
• Delivering Excellence (Expert):
  You demand and deliver the highest standards of craftsmanship, ensuring design integrity is maintained from concept to creation.
• Setting Direction (Advanced):
  You define clear creative pathways, inspiring your team and external partners to align with a singular, powerful vision.
• Strategic…