Vans: Director, Color Design (Footwear, Apparel, Accessories)

Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community.

About the role

The Director, Color Design leads the global vision for color across footwear, apparel, and accessories. This role defines how Vans shows up in the world—season after season—through color narratives that connect deeply with our communities. You will translate cultural insight, creative energy, and brand heritage into cohesive color strategies that unify product categories while allowing space for self-expression and disruption. This is a leadership role that blends storytelling, systems thinking, and cultural intuition.

Responsibilities

• Define color expression across all product categories
• Build color narratives rooted in sport, art, music, and youth culture
• Translate macro trends into Vans-relevant expression (not trend-following)
• Ensure cohesive head-to-toe color expression across footwear, apparel, and accessories
• Partner with product and design leaders to embed color into every stage of creation
• Elevate color as a key storytelling tool, not just a styling layer
• Draw inspiration from global creative communities
• Collaborate with artists, athletes, and cultural partners
• Maintain authenticity to Vans’ heritage while evolving the brand forward
• Create global color frameworks, palettes, and tools
• Create consistency across regions while enabling localized expression
• Develop best practices for color application, material interaction, and finishes
• Manage and mentor a team of color designers across categories
• Foster a culture of experimentation, curiosity, and creative confidence
• Elevate the role of color within the broader design organization
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, and Development to ensure commercial viability
• Balance creative ambition with cost, sourcing, and manufacturing realities
• Influence product strategy through color insights and consumer understanding

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in color design, CMF, or related design leadership
• Deep understanding of youth culture, skateboarding, and creative communities
• Proven ability to build and lead global creative teams
• Strong storytelling skills with a point of view on color beyond trends
• Experience working across footwear and apparel (preferred)
• You see color as a cultural language, not just a design element
• You balance heritage and progression effortlessly
• You lead with authenticity and empower others to create boldly
• You build systems that enable creativity at scale

Qualifications

• Location requirement: Hybrid schedule in-office in Costa Mesa, CA

Skills

• Deep understanding of youth culture, skateboarding, and creative communities
• Proven ability to build and lead global creative teams
• Strong storytelling skills with a point of view on color beyond trends
• Experience working across footwear and apparel (preferred)
• You see color as a cultural language, not just a design element
• You balance heritage and progression effortlessly
• You lead with authenticity and empower others to create boldly
• You build systems that enable creativity at scale

Benefits

• Extensive development and growth opportunities
• A competitive compensation package
• A strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)

Pay

Hiring Range: $181,440.00 USD - $226,800.00 USD annually

Schedule

Hybrid schedule in-office in Costa Mesa, CA.