Footwear Design Senior Manager - Product Design CTM

GC RPC

As the pace of the global consumer is rapidly changing, the Converse RPC team focuses on creating inspiring products closer to the consumer. In Greater China, the RPC team drives speed, specificity, and deep consumer connection to deliver products that resonate with local culture and market needs.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a Senior Manager, Footwear Design who will lead a cross-functional design organization and drive the end-to-end creative vision for footwear in Greater China.

This role requires a strategic design leader who can define product direction, elevate design excellence, and translate consumer and cultural insights into scalable business impact.

The ideal candidate:

• Brings a strong point of view on design strategy and storytelling

• Leads and develops high-performing design teams

• Drives consumer-right, market-relevant product narratives

• Influences senior stakeholders across design, merchandising, and product

This role will play a critical leadership position in building industry-leading footwear franchises, shaping hyperlocal narratives, and ensuring strong alignment with Converse global design direction.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

• Define and lead the design strategy for footwear in Greater China, aligning local consumer insights with global brand direction

• Drive the creation of innovative, scalable footwear franchises and collections that resonate with Sports, Streetwear, and Lifestyle consumers

• Lead and mentor a team of designers, setting a high bar for creativity, execution, and design excellence

• Translate consumer, cultural, and market insights into clear design direction and product narratives

• Partner with cross-functional leaders (Product, Merchandising, Development, Marketing) to ensure end-to-end product success

• Oversee the full creative process, from concept to final product, ensuring consistency, quality, and timeline adherence

• Present design strategies and concepts to senior leadership and key stakeholders, influencing business decisions

• Drive innovation in design processes, tools, and storytelling methods (including digital and 3D capabilities where relevant)

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

You will collaborate closely with:

• Greater China leadership across Marketing, Merchandising, Product, and Channel teams

• Global and regional leaders in Footwear Design, Color, Materials, and Graphics

• Senior stakeholders across Converse and Nike ecosystem

This role requires strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, working across multiple levels and geographies.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field

• 10–12+ years of experience in Footwear/Product Design, with leadership experience

• Proven track record of leading teams and delivering commercially successful products or franchises

• Strong ability to define and execute design strategy and creative vision

• Deep understanding of consumer insights, cultural trends, and market dynamics (China preferred)

• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior leadership

• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder influencing capability

• High level of design craft and taste, with a portfolio demonstrating premium product creation

• Experience managing multiple projects and complex timelines

• Familiarity with digital design tools; exposure to 3D/AI design tools is a plus

• Fluent working English; bilingual preferred

• Ability to travel (~20%)