General Summary

The Principal Designer is a recognized expert within the organization, leading the development of highly creative and technically advanced product designs. This role demands a deep understanding of design principles, an exceptional skill set in footwear design, and the ability to shape the brand's design philosophy at a strategic level. The Principal Designer applies their extensive expertise to influence the design direction, set industry standards, and drive innovation.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serves as the creative vanguard for the category, setting the standard for excellence in design.
• Partners with the product triad, merchandising, innovation team, and senior leadership to develop and evolve seasonal and long-term design strategies that position the brand at the cutting edge of the industry.
• Leads the creative interpretation of market research and trend analysis, translating complex business and market briefs into groundbreaking design initiatives.
• Oversees the end-to-end design process, from ideation to final execution, ensuring adherence to the brand's high standards and creative ethos.
• Develops comprehensive technical packages with acute attention to detail, ensuring design integrity throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Masters digital design tools to create compelling illustrations and technical drawings that communicate concepts and specifications with clarity and precision.
• Guides the global color and trend direction, managing digital assets and ensuring seamless integration of design elements across all product categories.
• Collaborates with Materials, Product Management, and Marketing teams to ensure design solutions are innovative, commercially viable, and aligned with brand strategy.
• Represents the brand's design vision externally, presenting concepts and products with persuasive and engaging storytelling.
• Acts as a design mentor within the organization, sharing knowledge and fostering a culture of continuous learning and creativity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in design or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum twelve (12) years of footwear design experience, or a combination of education and experience.
• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, Microsoft Office products, and MAC OS.
• Expert ability to create technical footwear drawings and demonstrate knowledge of current trends and the ability to interpret trends.
• Advanced understanding of employing design, construction techniques, and appropriate use of materials, including extensive knowledge and full understanding of product design and development including outsole construction, last making, materials, color, etc.
• Expert level knowledge of interdependencies between design and development, and the ability to drive collaboration between the groups.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Advanced story-telling skills with the ability to create compelling design stories and themes.
• Ability and willingness to train and develop team junior members and support internal career path development.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and lead projects without direct reports, providing guidance and influencing outcomes across the design team.

Travel Required

Up to 10% of work time will involve travel

Base Salary: $170,000 - $200,000 yearly
This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this position. The actual base salary will depend on numerous factors such as: experience, knowledge and skills, and location. Our base salary is just one component of our competitive total rewards strategy which includes numerous benefits and perks as well as specific health and welfare benefits.

Why Work at KEEN: Driven by a passion for life outside, KEEN is a values-led, independently owned brand from Portland, Oregon, that's on a mission to create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure. Founded in 2003, KEEN launched a revolution in the footwear industry with the introduction of the Newport adventure sandal, and has donated more than $18 million to non-profit organizations and causes around the world to promote responsible outdoor recreation, including conservation efforts to protect open spaces. KEEN strives to show the world through its products and its actions that a business for good can actually be good for business. By giving back, reducing impact, and activating communities and individuals to protectthe places where we work and play, KEEN puts its values in motion and takes action to leave the world a better place.

At KEEN, we believe in a more just and equitable future for all people. As a global brand, we acknowledge that our business, buildings, and daily lives exist within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. We strive for a future that recognizes the knowledge, rights, and resilience of these peoples.
KEEN Footwear is an equal opportunity employer. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.