At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers or www.vfc.com. What will you do? A day in the life of a Senior Innovation Designer – Performance Footwear at VF looks a little like this. The Senior Innovation Designer for Performance Footwear is a strategic creative leader responsible for shaping the future of the brand’s high-performance product ecosystem. This role drives the discovery, design, and validation of breakthrough concepts that redefine what athletes can achieve. Operating at the intersection of design, biomechanics, engineering, and emerging technology, the Senior Innovation Designer leads complex projects, mentors teammates, and influences long-term innovation strategy. This is a role for a visionary maker-builder who thrives in ambiguity, pushes boundaries, and can turn unproven ideas into validated, scalable solutions. The Senior Innovation Designer shapes the future of performance footwear by turning bold ideas into the next generation of athlete solutions. This role not only creates what comes next—it influences how the brand defines innovation for years to come. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. Innovation Leadership & Strategy Lead multi-phase innovation projects from insight development through validated concept handoff. Identify long-term opportunity areas and influence the creation of the multi-year innovation roadmap. Drive early-stage experimentation, establishing hypotheses and designing test methods to validate performance claims. Communicate project strategy, risk, and impact to cross-functional leadership. Advanced Concept Creation Develop original, high-impact design concepts across cushioning, traction, upper construction, fit systems, and emerging technologies. Transform athlete insights, biomechanics data, and material science opportunities into differentiated performance solutions. Create visually compelling renderings, prototypes, and narratives that inspire action and alignment. Prototyping & Technical Exploration Build and direct the creation of advanced prototypes using 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, experimental materials, and hands-on methods. Partner with engineering, materials, and sports science teams to evaluate function, refine solutions, and push technical feasibility. Translate findings into actionable design criteria, technical specifications, and performance requirements. Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as the design lead across multidisciplinary teams including engineering, materials, testing, product creation, and manufacturing. Mentor junior designers; elevate the overall quality of design thinking and technical rigor within the innovation team. Influence future-season product lines by delivering validated, manufacturable concepts. Execution & Communication Present innovation concepts to executives, category leaders, athletes, and cross-functional partners with clarity and storytelling excellence. Ensure design intent is preserved through iterative prototyping, development, and transfer to product creation teams. Produce high-quality documentation including concept decks, functional briefs, technical specs, and design rationale. What do you need to succeed? 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 6–10+ years of experience in performance footwear, advanced concepts, industrial design, or highly technical product creation. The foundation skills you will need in this position are: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Industrial Design, Product Design, Engineering, Biomechanics, or related field. Demonstrated track record of delivering innovative solutions in ambiguous environments. Expert-level sketching, form development, 3D modeling (Rhino, SolidWorks, Alias, Blender, Fusion), and storytelling. Strong prototyping skills across physical and digital methods. Ability to guide complex projects and influence decision-making across teams. Experience collaborating with engineering, sports science, material development, and athlete testing teams. There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred: Experience shipping category-defining or patented products. Deep knowledge of performance testing protocols, biomechanics, and athlete insights. Background in advanced materials, cushioning platforms, digital manufacturing, or computational design. Ability to connect high-level strategic thinking with hands-on execution and prototyping. Success in role: Delivers innovation concepts that meaningfully advance athlete performance and create competitive advantage. Demonstrates strategic thought leadership and elevates the innovation design discipline. Drives clarity, momentum, and alignment across complex, cross-functional projects. Consistently produces exceptional design work rooted in performance, craft, and technical rigor. Now WE have a question for YOU. Are you in? Hiring Range: $96,768.00 USD - $120,960.00 USD annually Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process. Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process. Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws. At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law. Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. VF Corporation habille les consommateurs partout dans le monde grâce à son portefeuille diversifié de marques emblématiques de style de vie, notamment Vans®, The North Face® et Timberland®. Fondée en 1899, VF est l’une des plus importantes entreprises mondiales de vêtements, de chaussures et d’accessoires. Elle exerce ses activités de façon socialement et écologiquement responsable dans de nombreuses régions du monde, catégories de produits et canaux de distribution. VF s’engage à offrir des produits novateurs aux consommateurs et à créer une valeur durable pour ses clients et ses actionnaires. VF Corporation outfits consumers around the world with its diverse portfolio of iconic lifestyle brands, including Vans®, The North Face®, and Timberland®. Founded in 1899, VF is one of the world's largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies with socially and environmentally responsible operations spanning numerous geographies, product categories and distribution channels. VF is committed to delivering innovative products to consumers and creating long-term value for its customers and shareholders. Énoncé de vision de VF en matière de diversité VF s’engage à créer un environnement inclusif qui accueille et valorise les différences parmi tous ses associés, ses clients, ses fournisseurs et les collectivités où nous vivons et exerçons nos activités. Le succès et la croissance continus de VF sont renforcés par des initiatives qui favorisent la diversité à l’échelle mondiale. VF s’engage à offrir l’égalité des chances en matière d’emploi et à traiter ses associés et ses candidats sans discrimination fondée sur la race, la couleur, le sexe, l’âge, l’origine nationale, la religion, l’orientation sexuelle, l’identité ou l’expression de genre, l’état matrimonial, la citoyenneté, un handicap, le statut d’ancien combattant protégé, le statut VIH/sida ou tout autre motif protégé par la loi. VF s’engage à répondre aux divers besoins des personnes en situation de handicap dans des délais raisonnables, conformément aux principes d’autonomie, de dignité, d’intégration et d’égalité des chances. Pour ce faire, VF s’efforcera de cerner, de prévenir et d’éliminer les obstacles à l’accessibilité partout où cela est possible, tout en respectant les exigences en matière d’accessibilité prévues par l’ADA, la LAPHO (AODA) et toute autre réglementation provinciale, étatique ou locale applicable. VF s’engage à assurer l’accessibilité numérique, à se conformer aux Règles pour l’accessibilité des contenus Web (WCAG) 2.1, niveau AA, ainsi qu’aux normes de conception accessible de l’ADA et de la LAPHO (AODA), et à toute autre réglementation applicable. Si vous avez besoin d’une mesure d’adaptation ou si vous avez des questions concernant cet énoncé, veuillez transmettre votre demande à [email protected] VF Diversity Vision Statement VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected basis. VF is committed to meeting the diverse needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity, and will do so by striving to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility wherever possible as well as by meeting the accessibility requirements under the ADA, AODA, and other applicable state, local or provincial regulations. VF is committed to digital accessibility, and to conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA and complying with the ADA and AODA Standards for Accessible Design, and other applicable regulations. If you need an accommodation or have any questions regarding this statement, please send your request to [email protected].

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