Sr. Director, Color, Material, & Graphic Design - Global HOKA

Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid) – typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday–Thursday

About the role

As Sr. Director, Color + Material + Graphic Design (CMG) – HOKA, you will lead the integrated CMG vision across Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories, defining and driving the global expression of HOKA through color, material, graphic, and trend strategy. You’ll establish and lead a CMG + Trend Center of Excellence, building creative frameworks that connect consumer insight, cultural relevance, and product expression across all categories. Sitting at the intersection of design, product, brand, and merchandising, you’ll elevate CMG and Trend as strategic drivers of storytelling, speed to market, product differentiation, and commercial impact.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global CMG + Trend vision across performance and lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories
• Build annual and seasonal strategies including color palettes, material frameworks, graphic systems, and trend narratives for cohesive HOKA expression
• Establish and lead HOKA’s CMG + Trend Center of Excellence, developing scalable tools, processes, and frameworks
• Translate macro trends, cultural signals, and consumer insights into actionable product direction and design systems
• Partner with VP, Global Design and Design Leadership to shape creative vision and seasonal direction
• Lead, manage, and develop Color, Material, Graphic Design, and Trend teams across Footwear and Apparel
• Build clear operating models and creation engines to support new creation, refresh, and speed to market
• Drive consistency and clarity in CMG application across franchises, categories, and product tiers
• Recruit, develop, and mentor creative leaders and teams, fostering a culture of innovation, craft, and accountability
• Position Trend as a foundational input into the design process, ensuring alignment from concept through execution
• Partner with Product Design, Product Management, Merchandising, Development, Innovation, and Brand Creative to align CMG + Trend direction with business strategy
• Champion integrated PCMG thinking, ensuring color, material, graphic, and trend work holistically with product design, construction, and brand identity
• Influence upstream decision-making through a CMG + Trend lens, shaping briefs, concepts, and category direction early in the process
• Communicate compelling CMG narratives at key milestones, leadership reviews, and strategic forums
• Ensure product storytelling is cohesive and differentiated across consumer touchpoints, channels, and regions

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in industrial design, product design, or related field
• 12+ years of experience across CMG design disciplines
• 5+ years leading multi-disciplinary creative teams
• Experience building or leading Trend or Design Strategy functions within a global organization
• Expert understanding of color, material, graphic, and trend strategy
• Proven ability to build systems, frameworks, and centers of excellence
• Deep understanding of footwear and apparel product creation
• Strong ability to translate consumer insight and cultural signals into product direction
• Expertise in storytelling, design systems, and brand expression
• Strong cross-functional leadership across product, merchandising, and marketing
• Advanced communication and presentation skills

Benefits

• Competitive pay and bonuses
• Financial planning and wellbeing programs
• Paid time away from work
• Employee discounts and perks
• Growth and development opportunities
• Comprehensive health and wellness programs

Pay

$185,600.00 – $250,500.00 (Portland, OR range; individual pay determined by location, skills, experience, and relevant education or training)