Vans: Director, Color Design (Footwear, Apparel, Accessories)

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community.  

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com.

What will you do?

The Director, Color Design leads the global vision for color across footwear, apparel, and accessories. This role defines how Vans shows up in the world—season after season—through color narratives that connect deeply with our communities. You will translate cultural insight, creative energy, and brand heritage into cohesive color strategies that unify product categories while allowing space for self-expression and disruption. This is a leadership role that blends storytelling, systems thinking, and cultural intuition. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Define color expression across all product categories
• Build color narratives rooted in sport, art, music, and youth culture
• Translate macro trends into Vans-relevant expression (not trend-following)
• Ensure cohesive head-to-toe color expression across footwear, apparel, and accessories
• Partner with product and design leaders to embed color into every stage of creation
• Elevate color as a key storytelling tool, not just a styling layer
• Draw inspiration from global creative communities
• Collaborate with artists, athletes, and cultural partners
• Maintain authenticity to Vans’ heritage while evolving the brand forward
• Develop global color frameworks, palettes, and tools
• Create consistency across regions while enabling localized expression
• Establish best practices for color application, material interaction, and finishes
• Manage and mentor a team of color designers across categories
• Foster a culture of experimentation, curiosity, and creative confidence
• Elevate the role of color within the broader design organization
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, and Development to ensure commercial viability
• Balance creative ambition with cost, sourcing, and manufacturing realities
• Influence product strategy through color insights and consumer understanding

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 10+ years of experience and professional achievements. 

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• 10+ years of experience in color design, CMF, or related design leadership
• Deep understanding of youth culture, skateboarding, and creative communities
• Proven ability to build and lead global creative teams
• Strong storytelling skills with a point of view on color beyond trends
• Experience working across footwear and apparel (preferred)
• Ability to operate at both visionary and operational levels
• You see color as a cultural language, not just a design element
• You balance heritage and progression effortlessly
• You lead with authenticity and empower others to create boldly
• You build systems that enable creativity at scale
• Location requirement: Hybrid schedule in-office in Costa Mesa, CA.

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What do we offer you?

At Vans, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.

To learn more about Vans’ benefits package, follow this MyVFBenefits.com and click “Looking to Join VF”.

To learn more about Vans‘ Diversity and Inclusion efforts, go to www.vans.com.

Now WE have a question for YOU.

Are you in?

Hiring Range:

$172,800.00 USD - $216,000.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.