Senior Director - Product Design Apparel - Creative Direction (m/f/d)

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

As an experienced and strategic Senior Design Director of Apparel Product Design, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the design trajectory for our apparel products. This position entails developing and guiding cutting-edge creative solutions for product concepts and categories (business units), ensuring the establishment of a highly relevant, desirable, and distinctive adidas brand image, spanning from the initial presentation to the consumer-facing stage. Exploring future expressions of brand through industry shaping edge projects that connect with consumers at spear. This leadership role requires a creative and dynamic individual with a proven track record in apparel design, trend forecasting, and effective team management, capable of leading the internal creative team to achieve world-class results.

We are steadfast in our commitment to excellence in product design and innovation. We take pride in crafting premium, stylish, and functional apparel that resonates with our diverse and discerning customer base.

Key Responsibilities:

• Actively participate in Product Design first line as expert within Apparel Design.
• Spearhead the strategic development of Creative initiatives for multiple concepts or categories (business units), spanning various apparel product types across all genders and age groups.
• Formulate innovative concepts and creative strategies that align with the objectives of the category, concept, and brief. If needed craft brief based on information available.
• Collaborate closely with the Product Design team in the Business Units and Innovation to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive storytelling approach.
• Engage with cross-functional team members to maintain a consumer- and brand-centric focus throughout the creative process.
• Establish priorities for the team, both creatively and assignment-related.
• Lead the flawless execution of creative strategies, ensuring end-to-end creative excellence from sell-in to sellout (consumer-facing).
• Direct a diverse array of creative resources, including agencies, freelancers, developer, pattern maker, factories, external suppliers etc., to ensure a holistic and exceptional creative output.
• Review and approve production stages of creative execution.
• Optimize outcomes within specified budget and timeframes.
• Actively participate in crafting annual and long-term Creative Direction strategies.
• Present and communicate creative solutions with clarity, effectively selling ideas to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and change, initiating proposals and projects independently.
• Proactively seek out new Design resources capable of delivering world-class results.
• Lead highly creative and effective team through creation process
• Asses, manage and develop individual team members based on adidas leadership framework

Key Relationships:

• Innovation Design
• 3D & technical pattern team
• Design Directors, Creative Directors
• Product Designers
• Product Teams
• Global Operations
• Makerlab, Atelier teams
• External Agencies and Art/Creative Directors
• External Creative Resources

• IT skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint: advanced /Outlook
• Design apps: expert (Adobe Creative Suite)
• Strong visual and verbal skills with the ability to create impactful/exciting visuals
• Proven experience with the entire design process (project scope and time planning, design steps, production/execution of design solution in factory/at supplier)
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Design leadership and team management experience incl. developing internal talent, fostering a creative and inclusive working environment
• Language: English: excellent
• Another European language: fluent

• Under-graduate level Design education or combination thereof
• Solid education and advanced experience in the creative development of Apparel Design
• At least 10+ years experience in Sporting Goods/Fashion Industry or Design on managerial level
• 5+ years personnel management experience
• Passion for adidas and it’s mission
• Passion forSsports, Culture, Design

Job Title: Senior Director - Product Design Apparel - Creative Direction (m/f/d)