Director of Sports Science / Directress of Sports Science

Join On's Innovation Team as the Director of Sports Science

Become a vital part of On's Innovation team as the Director of Sports Science, where you'll lead a dynamic, interdisciplinary group of research scientists. Your mission is to drive cutting-edge advancements in athletic performance by merging deep physiological, biomechanical, and human performance research into groundbreaking product innovations. This strategic leadership role emphasizes directing athlete-centric research programs and managing a large, high-performing team of scientists to shape the future of running and performance footwear.

Your Mission

As the Director of Sports Science, you will design the strategic vision and infrastructure necessary to establish a world-leading science organization. You will bridge the gap between human performance research and commercial product breakthroughs, ensuring that rigorous, forward-thinking science is integrated into On's DNA.

Strategic & Scale Leadership

• Vision & Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive long-term research agenda in biomechanics and physiology, establishing a clear future vision for a world-class performance science center aligned with On's innovation goals.
• Build & Scale: Scale a world-class Sports Science organization, implementing global industry-best practices and infrastructure while effectively managing budgets and lab resources.
• People & Culture: Lead, mentor, and inspire a large, high-performing team of researchers. Foster an inclusive, entrepreneurial culture of scientific excellence and fast-paced commercial application.

Applied Research & Product Translation

• Insight Generation: Direct cutting-edge research programs inside advanced performance labs, utilizing elite athletes and everyday movers to uncover new insights into human movement, injury prevention, and metabolic efficiency.
• Data Translation: Oversee large-scale data collection (biomechanical, physiological, and digital health) and translate complex findings into actionable design parameters and product requirements.
• Modern Methodology & Validation: Drive advanced scientific methodologies over outdated testing standards. Establish industry-leading protocols for subjective perception and objective validation to guarantee scientifically proven product benefits.

Ecosystem & Cross-Functional Impact

• Global Network: Cultivate and manage an elite network of global academic institutions, research partners, and progressive tech firms to keep On at the forefront of movement science.
• Cross-Functional Cohesion: Partner seamlessly with product engineering, design, and marketing to ensure scientific insights are authentically integrated into product development and compelling consumer storytelling.
• Executive Communication: Synthesize and communicate complex data and human-performance concepts clearly and with commercial relevance to non-technical audiences and executive leadership.

Your Story

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Sports Science, Biomechanics, Human Movement Science, Physiology, or a closely related scientific field.
• Proven track record of senior leadership (10+ years) heading interdisciplinary research groups, preferably within the sportswear or performance gear industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing large teams (leading 20+ research scientists is highly preferred).
• Extensive experience directing physiological and biomechanical research, with a profound understanding of elite athlete performance and movement data.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a history of scaling or establishing modern human performance research frameworks, systems, or labs.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; capable of bridging the gap between technical data and creative design.
• A true passion for running, sports, and a continuous desire to reinvent athletic performance.

About the Team

The Innovation team is responsible for On’s future products, utilizing out-of-the-box thinking and athlete-informed technology that sets On’s products apart in the market. Within this team, you will lead the Sports Science and Engineering team, which focuses on research, advanced product evaluation, computer-aided engineering, and concept engineering for our performance footwear. This is your opportunity to be part of an agile and interdisciplinary department of engineers, scientists, and designers. We foster a fast-paced environment with direct decision-making and the freedom to design projects and processes.

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.