1

Footwear Design Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... of footwear. What You'll Do: * Understand the Michael Kors aesthetic and translate it into ... Partner alongside the Senior Design Director for entire product design process including market ...

Sr. Designer (Footwear)

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

Support the Design Director with identifying trend directions; pulling and reviewing materials for ... Bachelor's Degree in Footwear Design or equivalent professional experience. * 8 - 12 years of ...

Support the Design Director with identifying trend directions; pulling and reviewing materials for ... Bachelor's Degree in Footwear Design or equivalent professional experience. * 8 - 12 years of ...

Support the Design Director with identifying trend directions; pulling and reviewing materials for ... Bachelor's Degree in Footwear Design or equivalent professional experience. * 8 - 12 years of ...

Senior Designer, Footwear

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$94K - $156K/yr

This role partners closely with the Senior Director/Director of Design, Product Development, Buyers, and Vendor partners to create innovative, commercially successful footwear collections. The Senior ...

Showing results 21-40

Footwear Design Director information

See salary details

$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do footwear design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for footwear design director in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the footwear design director position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Footwear Design Director, you need a strong background in footwear design, trend analysis, product development, and a degree in fashion or industrial design. Mastery of design software like Adobe Illustrator and CAD programs, along with familiarity with prototyping and manufacturing processes, is essential. Leadership ability, creativity, and clear communication are standout soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating with cross-functional departments. These skills and qualities are vital for delivering innovative, market-leading footwear collections that align with brand and business objectives.

What is a footwear design director?

A Footwear Design Director leads the creative vision and design strategy for a brand's footwear collections. They oversee design teams, ensure products align with market trends and brand identity, and collaborate with development, marketing, and production teams. Their role involves trend research, material selection, and innovation while balancing aesthetics, functionality, and cost. They also mentor designers and ensure the brand stays competitive in the footwear industry.

What are the typical responsibilities of a footwear design director on a day-to-day basis?

A Footwear Design Director oversees the creative direction of footwear collections, guiding a team of designers from concept development through to final production. Daily tasks include reviewing design concepts, leading brainstorming sessions, collaborating with marketing, merchandising, and development teams, and ensuring designs align with brand strategy. The director often interacts with manufacturers to ensure feasibility and quality, while also staying on top of industry trends and consumer preferences. This role is both creative and strategic, requiring a balance of visionary thinking and practical execution to successfully bring new products to market.

More about Footwear Design Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Footwear Design Director jobs? Cities with the most Footwear Design Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Footwear Design jobs? The most popular types of Footwear Design jobs are:
What states have the most Footwear Design Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Footwear Design Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Footwear Design Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Assistant Designer, Women's Footwear

Tecovas

Austin, TX • On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Tecovas rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Tecovas was founded with the simple goal of making the world's best western boots, apparel and leather goods - and selling them at a fair price. We are a brand revolutionizing a category and welcoming first-time boot buyers and western enthusiasts alike.
Tecovas is looking for an Assistant Designer to support the Women's Footwear Design team in creating innovative, brand-right footwear. Reporting directly to the Design Director, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to turn seasonal direction, market insights, and trend research into commercial product concepts that reflect the Tecovas brand.
This role is required to be based in Austin, TX. Candidates must either be currently located in or willing to relocate to Austin, TX.
What you'll do:
  • Support the design team in translating seasonal direction and market research into new and relevant concepts.
  • Assist in developing upper designs, outsoles, trims, and embellishments that align with Tecovas' brand DNA.
  • Create detailed sketches, CADs, and tech packs using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and PLM systems.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure all design details are clearly communicated.
  • Support design team in preparation of all design and prototype reviews; making sure to take accurate notes and help with design updates and sample corrections.
  • Partner with Product Development to ensure all footwear samples are accurate upon arrival and help make any necessary callouts.
  • Participate in fittings to ensure integrity of designs while delivering out-of-the box comfort.
  • Maintain and contribute to a digital asset library with swatches, components, templates, and more.
  • Organize inspiration, samples, and prototypes to support the design process.
  • Travel internationally and attend tradeshows and events as needed.

Experience we're looking for:
  • Bachelor's degree in Footwear Design, Industrial Design, or equivalent design experience.
  • 1+ years of relevant experience in women's footwear design or designer capacity
  • Proficiency in creating CADs, technical drawings, and tech packs
  • Familiarity with PLM systems a plus
  • Bonus points for experience in leather goods and an understanding of Western lifestyle or culture

What you bring to the table:
  • You are passionate about product design and craftsmanship - especially leather and footwear.
  • You are detail oriented, organized, and resourceful.
  • You can manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work on time.
  • You have excellent communication skills and the ability to clearly present your ideas.

Full Time Benefits & Perks:
  • We offer insurance plans that pay 79-90% of your health premium coverage and 100% of your dental & vision insurance coverage for your family/dependents
  • 401(k) match
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible PTO policy
  • Corporate wellness program
  • Competitive salary - $65,000-70,000/annum (commensurate with experience)
  • Eligibility to participate in Corporate Bonus Program
  • Generous employee discounts!

About Us:
Based in Austin, TX, Tecovas brings the spirit of the West to the modern consumer. Handcrafting the best Western footwear, workwear, apparel, and accessories, Tecovas has grown rapidly since its founding as the first digitally native Western brand in 2015, serving customers through www.Tecovas.com, Tecovas Stores from coast to coast, and select wholesale partners. We're certainly growing- and hiring passionate, humble, positive, and talented people determined to help us continue to grow!
Important note: We strive to hire values-aligned people because we believe it takes each and all of us to be successful, and lead with grit, speed and a clear vision of where we're headed. In a remote setting, interviewing at Tecovas may include phone interviews, virtual "on-site" interviews, and on-the-job mock cases. We are committed to run a thorough process for candidates with whom we identify a potential match, and we will do our best to follow-up with each and every applicant! If you're on the fence, just give it a try!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we encourage all qualified individuals to apply! Information collected during the application process is subject to our privacy policy. Please note: Offers of employment may be conditional pending the completion of standard onboarding procedures.

What Tecovas employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom