Sr. Innovator - Science

The Role 

The Sr Innovator – Science – HOKA will help to drive the HOKA Innovation Strategy by delivering world-class innovations. The right person will have expert visioning and research abilities that create business opportunities through advanced concepts and applications and will be able to sell big ideas to stakeholders through compelling storytelling rooted in insights. This person is a creative yet strategic leader who champions a culture of out-of-the-box thinking that forwards the people and collective teams at HOKA. They will actively foster an environment where employees trust the people they work with, take pride in the work they do, and inspire each other to reach their full potential - because they know they are contributing to something greater than themselves. The Sr Innovator – Science – HOKA possesses expertise in Science Innovation and Innovation creation processes that can be applied to Performance Sports, Fitness, Outdoor and Lifestyle for Footwear and Apparel. 

Your Impact  

The primary functions of this role, include but are not limited to: 

• Partner with the Vice President, Innovation to support the development and articulation of a vision and HOKA Innovation strategy to internal audiences including the Executive Leadership Team and Product Creation teams. 

• Foster a team culture that inspires people to innovate fearlessly, push the boundaries of what exists today and look to the future to create new experiences for a world of consumers, including athletes. 

• Individually contribute and lead the team to research, design, and deliver disruptive concepts and products from creation through commercialization. 

• Partner closely with the brand product creation teams to support brand innovation streams, while leading design efforts for enterprise-wide innovation pillars. 

• Leverage a team of internal and external resources which identify, utilize, and nurture new concepts, materials, techniques, designs, machinery, processes, intellectual property, partnerships, and/or other exclusive opportunities to advance the level of product innovation. 

• Lead with curiosity and stay ahead of trends and opportunities while also ensuring insights, data, and athlete feedback. 

• Instill and reinforce the highest standards for collaboration and teamwork across the HOKA brand portfolio, with the goals of identifying synergies, fostering idea sharing, and establishing common goals for profitable growth and continuous innovation. 

• Demonstrate infectious enthusiasm that evokes passion for the purpose across all levels of the global organization; create forums and opportunities to foster creative thinking, a culture of innovation and discussion in the broader HOKA organization. 

• Champion practices that drive equity, inclusion, and diversity; cultivate a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and belonging. 

We celebrate diversity—of your background, your experiences, and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together. 

Who You Are   

• PhD or Master’s degree in any area of science or design-related field  

• At least 7+ years of global Innovation experience in a product company or a university working in innovation, and/or a research laboratory.  

• Proven track record, including patents, supporting the creation of winning global innovation strategies.  

• Familiar with programming, modeling, and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, Autodesk Fusion, etc.  

• Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop.  

• Proficient in Microsoft Applications.  

• Strong commitment to the team; maintains positive working relationships with diverse people.  

• Embodies ethics and integrity in all work, respecting both company and broader community policies in all conduct.  

• Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills and problem-solving abilities.  

• Experience working effectively in complex global organizations, satisfying the needs of diverse constituents.  

What We'll Give You –  

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued. 

• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future. 

• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever. 

• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras 

• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development. 

• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle. 

Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process. 

Equal Employment Opportunity  

Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all of the other beautiful parts of your identity