ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Footwear Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Deckers

Director, Color Design - HOKA Footwear

Portland, OR · On-site

$154K - $208K/yr

Director, Color Design - HOKA Footwear Reports to: VP, Design - Global HOKA Location: Portland, OR ... Partner closely with Product, Merchandising, Development, Innovation, and Marketing to align color ...

Socket.dev

Director, Business Development

Columbus, OH · On-site

$140 - $210/hr

We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic ... The Opportunity The Director, Business Development is responsible for leading the evaluation ...

New

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsFootwear Development JobsDirector Footwear Development Jobs

Director Footwear Development information

See salary details

$21K

$93.3K

$180K

How much do director footwear development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director footwear development in the United States is $93,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of footwear development do?

A Director of Footwear Development oversees the entire process of creating new footwear products, from initial design concepts through to production and market launch. They collaborate with designers, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure that shoes meet quality, cost, and performance standards. This role also involves managing timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams to bring innovative footwear to market efficiently. Directors of Footwear Development play a key strategic role in aligning product development with brand goals and consumer trends.

How does a director of footwear development typically collaborate with design, marketing, and production teams?

A Director of Footwear Development plays a central role in bridging the gap between creative design, marketing strategy, and manufacturing feasibility. This role involves regular meetings with designers to ensure concepts are both innovative and manufacturable, close alignment with marketing to address consumer trends and brand needs, and continuous communication with production teams to resolve technical challenges and maintain timelines. Effective collaboration is key to launching successful footwear collections on schedule and within budget, often requiring strong project management and interpersonal skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of footwear development?

To thrive as a Director of Footwear Development, you need deep expertise in footwear design, materials science, product development, and a degree in industrial design or a related field. Proficiency with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling tools, and knowledge of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems is typically required. Exceptional leadership, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help drive innovation and align teams. These skills ensure products meet market needs, maintain quality standards, and are delivered efficiently from concept to production.

What is the difference between Director Footwear Development vs Footwear Product Manager?

AspectDirector Footwear DevelopmentFootwear Product Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire footwear development process, manages teams, sets strategic goalsFocuses on product planning, market research, and coordinating product launches
CredentialsTypically requires extensive footwear design, engineering experience, and leadership skillsRequires product management experience, market knowledge, and design understanding
Work EnvironmentLeadership in design studios, R&D labs, and manufacturing settingsCross-functional teams, marketing, and sales departments

The main difference is that the Director Footwear Development leads the entire footwear creation process and team, focusing on strategic development, while the Footwear Product Manager concentrates on product planning, market analysis, and ensuring product success in the market.

More about Director Footwear Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Footwear Development jobs? Cities with the most Director Footwear Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Footwear Development jobs? The most popular types of Footwear Development jobs are:
What states have the most Director Footwear Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Footwear Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Footwear Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Footwear Development jobs are:
Director Footwear Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Footwear Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,350 per year, or $44.9 per hour.

Director, Merchandising - Women's Footwear

Rothy's

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Rothy's rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Summary:
Rothy's is committed to sustainable business practices and creating products from recycled materials. They are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Merchandising for Women’s Footwear to lead product assortment strategies and execution across various channels, ensuring alignment with brand and financial objectives.
Responsibilities:
• Define and execute the seasonal and long-range merchandising strategy for Women’s Footwear, aligning brand vision, consumer insights, and business goals
• Build balanced, productive assortments across core and trend categories, ensuring strong pricing architecture and assortment productivity
• Drive topline and bottom-line performance, managing revenue, margin, inventory, and in-season optimization through lifecycle and product portfolio management
• Leverage sales data, competitive analysis, and trend insights to identify opportunities and inform product decisions
• Partner with Design, Product Development, Planning, Production, and Marketing to execute a successful go-to-market strategy
• Tailor merchandising strategies to meet the unique needs of retail, e-commerce, and wholesale channels
• Lead and mentor a team of merchandising professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making
Qualifications:
Required:
• 8+ years of merchandising experience in the footwear, accessories, or fashion industry
• Proven ability and track record in developing and executing merchandising strategies that drive growth and profitability
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Experience working effectively cross-functionally with Design, Planning, and Production teams
• Strong leadership and team development skills, with ability to lead by example with strong people management skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Passion for product and deep curiosity to understand customer trends and behaviors
• An entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• A proactive approach with a high level of ownership and responsibility for your work
Preferred:
• Experience in women’s footwear is a plus
• Experience in using product lifecycle management tools, Google suite (sheets and slides), as well as ad hoc tool building a plus
Company:
Rothy’s is a global lifestyle brand transforming sustainable materials into timeless shoes, handbags and accessories. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What Rothy's employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply