Footwear Designer 2 - Lifestyle/Collaborations

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The New Balance design team is a closely connected global community united by a common pursuit of setting the standard for product quality, this our legacy to uphold through a balance of innovation, craftsmanship and consumer focused design.

The Energy team’s mission is to create compelling footwear products that generate excitement around the brand spark consumer interest and bring new energy to the marketplace through thoughtful design storytelling and collaboration. The D2 role is an instrumental part of the global design community and Lifestyle category, partnering with internal and external stakeholders to create compelling, brand-right footwear solutions across a range broad range of footwear products, collaborators, and project complexities that represent the intersection of sport and culture.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Translate partner requests, briefs, concepts and creative direction into thoughtful footwear solutions.
• Design solutions ranging from color/material updates on existing footwear models to new product creation, applying industry knowledge to achieve final result.
• Interpret both highly prescriptive and ambiguous partner requests, asking the right questions to understand the underlying objective and establish clear design direction.
• Act as a trusted design partner by providing creative guidance, recommendations and solutions that balance partner needs with brand objectives and product positioning.
• Identify potential design, material, manufacturing or brand challenges early and proactively engage the appropriate cross-functional partners to develop solutions.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Product Development, Materials and Color teams to solve problems and inform design decisions.
• Manage multiple projects with varying levels of complexity and autonomy while maintaining organization, attention to detail, and accountability to key milestones.
• Clearly communicate design intent, project status, complexity, risks and opportunities to immediate team members and leadership.
• Maintain awareness of footwear, fashion, sport, culture, technology and marketplace trends and apply relevant insights to design recommendations.

REQUIRMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• Experience - 4+ years of footwear design experience, preferably within lifestyle, sport, or collaborative product design.
•  Product Understanding – strong understanding of footwear design, construction, materials, color, and how concepts translate onto a physical footwear product. 
• Strong Design Foundation – demonstrated ability in color theory, material application, graphic design, pattern, composition, proportion and visual hierarchy, with the ability to create compelling solutions across varying levels of complexity. 
• Design Judgment – ability to recognize what is working, identify opportunities for improvement and make thoughtful decisions that balance aesthetics, brand, product and commercial considerations. 
• Brand & Culture – demonstrates an active interest in footwear, sport, fashion, culture, trends and technology; brings relevant marketplace and consumer insights into the creative process. 
• Highly Collaborative –actively seeks out information and expertise, navigates feedback effectively, builds relationships across functions and brings the right people into a problem at the right time. 
• Diplomatic Partner – builds trust and credibility with partners; able to challenge requests constructively, navigate difficult conversations and provide alternative solutions when requests conflict with brand objectives, material properties, manufacturing capabilities or other constraints. Comfortable with Ambiguity – able to bring structure and clarity to loosely defined requests, identify what needs to be understood, ask thoughtful questions and maintain progress despite incomplete information. 
• Resourceful Problem Solver – demonstrates initiative in finding answers, leveraging internal resources and connecting with experts to overcome project challenges. 
• Action-Oriented Creative – effectively manage multiple projects, priorities, timelines, and key milestones while maintaining autonomy, consistently moving work forward without compromising attention to detail. 
• Strong Communication Skills – communicates clearly with partners, teammates and leadership; able to articulate design rationale, identify risks and appropriately manage up when projects increase in complexity or scope. 
• Visual Communication & Storytelling – brings ideas to life in compelling and easily understood ways and effectively communicates design intent to both creative and non-creative audiences. 
• Technical Proficiency – Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop; comfortable incorporating AI creative tools into the design process. Experience with Blender or other 3D design software is a plus, and Microsoft Office. 
• Team-First Mindset – Supports collective success and recognize that strong product creation depends on collaboration across the broader organization. 
• Self-Motivated and Curious – demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, actively seeks new knowledge and skills, and approaches unfamiliar challenges with curiosity and a growth mindset. 
• Office - You will be based in our Brighton MA headquarters, travel required on occasion.This is a hybrid position - we are in office three days a week, Tues Wed and Thursday.

Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB) Only Pay Range: $99,700.00 - $129,000.00 - $158,300.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Regular Associate Benefits

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You’ll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword – it’s part of our culture.

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced “Work from Anywhere” (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.