Senior Designer, Women's Sneakers

Core Accountabilities

• Lead the design for women’s fashion sneakers and Hybrid sneakers from concept through final execution.
• Create seasonally relevant sneaker silhouettes across good, better and best price tiers that balance style, trend, comfort, and performance.
• Translate Cole Haan brand DNA—craft, innovation, and modern versatility—into compelling women’s product.
• Design uppers and tooling concepts aligned with the Cole Haan seasonal playbook and overall sneaker strategy.
• Partner closely with Design Leadership, Product Management and Product Development to ensure designs meet brand, consumer, margin, and calendar requirements.
• Collaborate with Innovation and Development teams to integrate Cole Haan innovation technologies (e.g., cushioning, flexibility, lightweight construction).
• Review and correct prototypes, providing clear, actionable feedback in partnership with development to improve aesthetics and functionality.
• Present design concepts and seasonal strategies to cross-functional and leadership teams.
• Maintain strong awareness of women’s fashion, sneaker culture, lifestyle trends, and the competitive landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of multi-tier / multi-channel footwear design experience, with a strong focus on women’s sneakers.
• Demonstrated success designing women’s product that blends style and comfort.
• Experience working with global development and manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of sneaker construction, materials, and comfort-driven design.
• Proven ability to balance creativity with commercial viability.
• Strong fashion sensibility with a clear point of view on women’s lifestyle sneakers.
• Excellent sketching, concept development, and visual storytelling skills.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; 3D design tools a plus.
• Deep knowledge of premium materials, color, and finishes appropriate for women’s footwear.
• Able to collaborate effectively across design, merchandising, development, and innovation teams.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple seasons simultaneously.