In Short
As our Senior Lead - Sustainability Design, you will serve as a strategic driver at the intersection of sustainability and design. Your mission is to integrate sustainability deeply into our design processes, making it a foundational aspect of our design ethos rather than a mere feature. This role is focused on cross-functional leadership, influencing how we design instead of what we design. You will collaborate closely with teams in product strategy, development, and innovation to ensure that sustainability is a core consideration from concept to shelf.
Your Mission
- Lead impact mapping across footwear, apparel, and accessories, collaborating with cross-functional teams to incorporate principles of circularity and sustainability into all product designs.
- Translate strategy into a clear roadmap by connecting innovation, strategy, design, development, and sourcing, utilizing circular design principles and alternative dyeing methods.
- Work closely with product strategy and sustainability teams to guide the prioritization of design decisions that deliver the highest positive environmental impact, ensuring sustainability goals are set and achieved through strategic planning.
- Support the early-stage sustainable innovations from the Sustainability Concept phase into the Design team, aiding in the translation of new ideas and technologies for feasibility and adoption.
- Build and coordinate connections with material teams to research, validate, and implement low-impact materials, leveraging your comprehensive knowledge of materials.
- Partner with color design to implement impactful practices, such as dope dyeing and thoughtful palette building, that reduce environmental impact while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
- Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to specify and validate low-impact materials and production methods for midsoles, speedboards, outsoles, and other components, ensuring alignment with circularity goals from concept to production.
- Educate and inspire the design team through workshops and ongoing training, sharing best practices, and keeping the team updated on the latest trends and innovations in sustainable design.
- Track and promote progress by championing circular initiatives during design reviews and internal events, sharing updates and insights with the Sustainability team to drive momentum and alignment.
Your Story
- A strong educational background in design and impact sciences, such as environmental sciences or sustainability management.
- A deep understanding of materials and processes, and their impact on lifecycle assessments and other environmental metrics.
- A proven track record of leading design teams towards the successful implementation of sustainability initiatives, achieving significant environmental impact reductions.
- Excellent communication skills that inspire and educate teams and influence external partners and stakeholders effectively.
- Demonstrated capability in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, aligning short-term actions with long-term sustainability goals.
- Proactive and entrepreneurial, thriving in ambiguity by turning uncertainty into clear direction and momentum for sustainable design.
- Fluency in English, with proficiency in additional languages considered a bonus.
- A visionary thinker with a practical, project-management mindset, known for converting innovative, sustainable solutions into tangible practices.
About the Team
You will be part of a vibrant and diverse Design Studio that drives On’s disruptive product design across footwear, apparel, accessories, design direction, and innovation. Collaboration will be key as you work alongside concept and innovation designers, material experts, color specialists, product developers, and go-to-market teams, acting as a connector in a culture that values creativity, curiosity, and collaboration.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.