Creative Director, Product & Design, Footwear

Portland, OR, United States

General Summary

The Creative Director, Product & Design leads and establishes the KEEN product design and brand aesthetic. This role stewards the brand's creative vision, crafting a cohesive design language that embodies the brand ethos and resonates with our fans. This role guides the creation of innovative products while maintaining a consistent brand identity through all physical touch-points.

To apply, please submit a PDF portfolio or portfolio link

Essential Responsibilities

Works in concert with the founder to internalize and amplify KEEN's brand DNA, translating it into a distinct and compelling design vernacular that permeates every product and campaign.

Orchestrates the global design strategy, setting trends in material usage, construction techniques, and aesthetic appeal.

Facilitates cross-functional collaboration with marketing, product management, and sales teams to align design initiatives with go-to-market strategies.

Spearheads the brand's design ethos, weaving KEEN's values and story through every layer of product design and branding, from logos to packaging.

Develops a cohesive and unified product language that is evident across all consumer interactions, ensuring consistency and a strong brand presence in the global market.

Leads the creation and curation of motifs, color palettes, and design elements that become synonymous with the KEEN brand identity.

Champions the brand's design philosophy, ensuring that it's effectively communicated and understood globally, both within the company and in the public domain.

Directs a dynamic team in conceptualizing and executing creative solutions that align with the brand’s strategic vision, ensuring a consistent narrative from concept to launch.

Cultivates a culture of creativity and innovation within the design team, fostering an environment where bold ideas can flourish and translate into market-defining products.

Oversees the design process, ensuring all product designs are infused with KEEN's signature blend of functionality and style while staying true to the brand's core values.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, Fashion or related field; Master’s degree preferred.

A minimum of twelve (12) years' experience in a leadership role within the footwear or related lifestyle

brand, with a proven track record of driving brand cohesion through product design.

A portfolio that showcases a breadth of creative work in the footwear industry, with emphasis on translating brand strategy into tangible product experiences and product innovation, and that demonstrates blue-sky creative thinking.

Demonstrated expertise in building brand identity systems, visual product design standards, and a generative creative process with the ability to ensure brand consistency across all footwear product designs.

Proficiency in utilizing design software (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, 3D modeling, etc.) and modern presentation tools.

Exceptional ability to articulate design concepts and strategies across all levels of the organization with a superb ability to present to large groups, senior leaders and executives within KEEN.

An adept storyteller with superior written, visual, and verbal communication skills.

Experience navigating the nuances of global markets, with an ability to adapt strategies to diverse consumer needs and cultural contexts.

In-depth knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, and sustainability practices.

Proven experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve business objectives, helping to move footwear products from conception to retail with brand integrity.

Strong leadership capabilities and interpersonal skills, with a history of nurturing and mentoring talent while fostering a collaborative team environment.

Proactive approach to problem-solving and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Exceptional time management and abilities to multi-task with a positive, professional, and roll-up-your-sleeves attitude. Self-motivated, possessing a stellar work ethic.

Base Salary: $210,000 - $275,000 yearly

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Why Work at KEEN: Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that’s on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protect the places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.

KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

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