Designer I, Specialty Concept & Lifestyle Footwear

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

·       Runner First  

We act in the best interest of the runner

·       Word is Bond 

We do what we say we’ll do

·       Champion Heart  

We give our all in everything we do  

·       There is no “I” in Run

We stay generous with our humanity

·       Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   

Your Job:

As a Brooks Running Designer 1, Specialty Concept & Lifestyle Footwear Design, you will help to create the AESTHETIC READINESS of selected Brooks Running footwear of the Merchandise Runner Assortment (MRA). You will create the perfect balance between an inspiring design that’s driven by a story and the performance of a running shoe. Specialty Concept Footwear Design includes the following categories: Footwear Inline Product Extensions, Event & Collaboration Footwear Products, Special Footwear Make-Ups, and Regional Footwear Make-Ups.

As a Designer 1, Specialty Concept & Lifestyle Footwear Design, you will continue to develop your specialty design concepts by identifying and executing new material ideas together with the Material Design Group. You are growing your ability to embellish the material with exciting graphic solutions and original textile prints.

As a Designer 1, Specialty Concept & Lifestyle Footwear Design, you will work closely with the Manager, Specialty Concept & Lifestyle Footwear Design, Footwear Merchandising Team, Brand Creative Team, Apparel Graphic Design, and Brand Marketing to identify trends and stories for events, causes, annual celebrations, collaborations, and inline extensions as well as regional special make ups through branding, color, graphic, material, and finishes to footwear.

As a Designer 1 Specialty Concept & Lifestyle Footwear Design, your role will support and produce a clear design communication to the Footwear Merchandising Team and the Product Development Team. With your experience in designing beautiful footwear, you will play a core role within the footwear design team to ensure that Brooks is the most LOVED brand for runners worldwide.

• DESIGN
• Own the design of performance footwear uppers by creating and presenting sketches for specialty concept product based on direction provided by the Merchandize Runner Assortment plan briefs.
• Apply identity principles to maximize perceived value to drive superior aesthetic competitiveness.
• Develop your design POV on storytelling, color, material, textile, finishes, market, and lifestyle trends to grow the appeal of Brooks Running footwear.
• Stay current in the athletic footwear market, different category trends, and product design innovations across the global network
• Create and manipulate original textile prints on shell-patterns and footwear tech packs to connect with our creative foundation CRAFTED BEAUTY.
• Present trend, color palette and textile graphics at concept debut
• Create regional color renderings of specialty concept footwear for review and presentation.
• Ensure Pantone and CSI colors are handed off to Development for each color included in the season to development
• Refine your ability to proactively follow through on the execution of color/print for each product.
• Seek out mentorship from more tenured Designers.
• Respond to design critique with multiple design solutions.

• TEAM COLLABORATION
• Partner within a product creation team on a wide range of projects and products.
• Become a point person for your Specialty Concepts projects using your color knowledge to create unique color palettes differentiated from in-line and execute original print/patterns for footwear placement.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Marketing, Development and Material Designers to focus color and print/pattern solutions for success in the market. 
• Participate in meetings with the 3D CAD Design Team to ensure a constant flow of information.
• Partner with more senior designers to collaborate with the Material Design Group and Product Assessment to ensure new specialty concept footwear material selection meets our fit, feel, ride quality standards.
• Participate with Apparel Graphic Design to collaborate on head-to-toe product execution within specialty concepts of MRA’s.
• Assist sales reps with any color and trend needs throughout the season.
• Be a trusted partner to the development teams in Asia and our oversea production sites.

• ACCOUNTABILITY
• Maintain calendar/timelines/deadlines that result in a timely completion of each product and/or collection
• Use your developing design knowledge to partner with your product teams.
• Answer critique with a curious mindset – propose alternative options after more design exploration.
• Continue to grow your understanding of the design jet stream to keep informed on what’s trending and how this may influence our design.
• Travel as necessary to Asia, Europe, trade shows, races, retailers, or other external events. 

• 4-year college or university degree in industrial, graphics, apparel or footwear design, equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree
• 3+ years of experience creating color/material/textile programs and future vision in a retail/manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of art and design with clear understanding of visual design or any design related environment
• Proven experience creating and leading the execution of vision and strategy
• Ability to understand design concepts and think conceptually
• Ability to understand design conceptually across product categories
• Ability to create designs that meet category needs and commercial opportunities
• Ability to operate in a fast pace, ever changing work environment
• Ability to build and foster relationships in a team environment. This position requires employee to engage with many stakeholders, as well as manage various information and relationships
• Ability and desire to push themselves, others, and the brand forward.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with key business partners
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another.
• Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help wherever necessary. 
• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
• Mastery with Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
• Competent using Apple Mac Operating system
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint etc.)
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!
• Travel 10% (Domestically/Internationally) 

Compensation: 

The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $78,603 - $117,956 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  

Other:

Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families! 

Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance. 

Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.

Bonus-in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.  

Perks- including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Location- You will spend 3 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.