Design Manager (Shoes/Footwear)

RESPONSIBILITIES - Lead the end-to-end design direction for women’s footwear collections, aligning with brand vision and commercial objectives - Identify and interpret emerging fashion, cultural and consumer trends to inform seasonal design strategies - Translate insights into innovative, commercially viable footwear concepts across multiple categories - Oversee the design development process from initial ideation to final product delivery, ensuring quality and consistency - Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to bring concepts to life - Guide and mentor junior designers, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and creative team environment - Drive design reviews, fittings and prototype evaluations, ensuring continuous refinement and excellence in product execution - Ensure alignment with market demands, consumer expectations and brand positioning across all design outputs - Establish clear timelines, priorities and deliverables to ensure on-time execution of all design projects - Champion innovation in materials, construction and design techniques to enhance product differentiation - Maintain strong communication across global teams to ensure seamless project progression REQUIREMENTS - Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Fashion Design, or a related discipline - More than 5 years of experience in women’s footwear design, with experience in a leadership or managerial capacity - Strong, established portfolio showcasing creative direction, product development and commercial success across multiple footwear categories - Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop - Strong ability in sketching, concept development and delivering compelling visual presentations - Deep understanding of materials including leather, construction techniques, silhouettes and color storytelling - Strong design sensibility with a modern, trend-aware and customer-centric perspective - Proven ability to balance creative vision with business and commercial objectives - Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and team development skills - Highly adaptable, open to feedback and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment - Strong sense of ownership, accountability and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Passion for design, functionality and consumer experience - Positive, energetic and collaborative mindset