Senior Lead - Footwear Design, Performance Running

Location: Zurich

Product Design

In short

At On, we believe that design is the ultimate differentiator. It is the bridge between breakthrough sports science and cultural resonance. We are seeking an exceptional creative leader to step into the role of Senior Lead -Footwear Design Performance Running. This is a strategic position at the helm of our core category, responsible for driving the design vision and execution of next-generation performance footwear.

Based in our Zurich studio, you will operate in a future-focused environment. You will guide the full creative lifecycle-transforming athlete insights and biomechanical data into functional, beautifully executed products that redefine the running experience.

Your Mission

• Lead Exploration. Direct the end-to-end design process of performance running footwear, ensuring execution from initial concept through to production-ready product.
• Strategic driver: Build and foster a cross-functional network of expert collaborators in innovation, product strategy and engineering to steer the category’s performance and expression to the future.
• Develop Talent: Mentor and elevate the design team, playing a key role in structuring and scaling our creative talent as the category grows.
• Integrate Innovation: Drive the creation of technology-infused, athlete-driven products that seamlessly merge technical performance with a premium design aesthetic.
• Articulate Narratives: Create compelling design stories, visual assets, and prototypes that communicate a clear and intentional direction.
• Collaborate Globally: Partner closely with development, engineering, and advanced innovation teams in Zurich and Vietnam to translate creative concepts into functional realities fitting the markets.
• Anticipate Trends: Identify and leverage emerging material developments, manufacturing processes, and consumer insights to keep our product line ahead of the market.
• Synthesize Data: Deep-dive into biomechanics insights and elite athlete feedback to inform and validate future product directions.
• Influence Strategy: Present concepts clearly to executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, helping to shape brand positioning and business strategy.
• Foster Culture: Champion an experimental, curious, and progressive design philosophy across the wider organization.

Your story

• Education & Experience: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field, paired with 8+ years of experience in performance footwear design, specifically within the running or sportswear sectors.
• Proven Impact: A portfolio demonstrating leadership on successful performance products that have achieved both technical validation and commercial resonance.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in 2D and 3D design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Blender, or equivalent). Experience integrating AI-assisted tools into the conceptual workflow is an asset.
• Material Expertise: A strong understanding of performance materials, including engineered composites, advanced knits, and technical textiles.
• Execution & Craft: Exceptional sketching, prototyping, and conceptualization skills, with a refined eye for performance-driven aesthetics.
• Communication & Leadership: An articulate communicator and compelling presenter capable of aligning creative vision with commercial objectives.
• Operational Excellence: Highly organized with a strategic mindset, capable of navigating a fast-paced, multi-season environment while managing complex projects.
• Global Mindset: Collaborative and adaptable within a multicultural matrix organization. Fluency in English is required.
  About the Team

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You will work in the On Design Studio within an international and vibrant Design team; including Footwear, Colour, Material and Computational Designers who all closely collaborate with footwear developers, product managers, material and innovation specialists, sport scientists & engineers. Together, we are responsible for shaping the future On performance product line up.

Zürich

Just by the banks of the Limmat you’ll find our largest global hub in Zürich West – On Labs – where you can hike up 12 floors through our custom-built spiral trail.

Förrlibuckstrasse 190,

8005

Switzerland

Location
What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you
What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.

• Step One

It starts with you...

You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role. We try to keep this step as simple as possible. We do get a lot of applications, but we review them all. If you're a good fit to the role, a recruiter will follow up with you directly. If you didn't receive a reply, or were unsuccessful this time around, we encourage you to look for other possible matches at On.

• Step Two

Interview with a recruiter

What ignites your spirit? This is where we’ll start getting to know all about you and what makes you tick – and it’s your first chance to get a feel for our culture. Chatting with a member of our talent team, you’ll learn more about On and how we work. We’ll learn about what motivates you and what you could bring to the team.

• Step Three

Interview with a hiring manager

Ready to dig into the details? This second interview will be held with your future manager and will focus on the specifics of the job. Together you’ll delve into your unique skills and experiences and how they could be relevant at On. It's also a time to assess how you might feel working side-by-side. Bring any questions you have about the job, the team or anything else you might like to know – this is an open forum.

• Step Four

The Case Study

What's your style? This task will help us understand how you think, face a challenge and give insight into your novel ideas. Designed to give everyone their best shot, your case study is based on something you might typically experience on the job. This is your chance to show us what you’ve got. So express yourself. Be you.

• Step Five

The Experience Day

Your first taste of the Oniverse. This is a time to meet some of the people you'll be working closest with. In person or virtually, you'll get a feel for the day-to-day at On and the people who make it happen. You'll chat with a few potential teammates - the conversations will be as equally driven by the role and your experience as by our values. We believe how you do things is just as important as what you do.

• Step Six

The Result

Are we a good fit? We’ll get together internally to share our feedback and decide if we’re a match. We know that job searching is a big time investment, so it’s not a decision we take lightly. It’s also time for you to reflect on the experience – are we the right place for you? No matter the outcome, we’ll give you meaningful feedback.