Helly Hansen is looking for a Lifestyle & Color Designer – Footwear (temporary)

Founded in Norway in 1877, Helly Hansen continues to develop professional grade apparel that helps people stay and feel alive. Through insights drawn from living and working in the world’s harshest environments, the company has developed a long list of first-to-market innovations, including the first supple waterproof fabrics nearly 150 years ago. Other breakthroughs include the first fleece fabrics in the 1960s, the first technical base layers in the 1970s, made with LIFA® Stay Dry technology, the patented H2Flow™ temperature regulating system, and the revolutionary lighter, warmer LIFALOFT™ insulation. Building on Helly Hansen’s proprietary HELLY TECH® waterproof/breathable system, the technical outdoor brand has most recently introduced the award-winning LIFA INFINITY PRO™ - the company’s most innovative waterproof/breathable technology to date. Helly Hansen is a leader in technical sailing and performance ski apparel, as well as premium workwear. Its uniforms are worn and trusted by more than 55,000 professionals and can be found on Olympians, National Teams, and at more than 200 ski resorts and mountain guiding operations globally. Helly Hansen’s outerwear, base layers, sportswear and footwear are sold in more than 40 countries around the world. To learn more about Helly Hansen’s latest collections, visit www.hellyhansen.com.

We are seeking a highly creative and trend-driven Lifestyle Footwear Designer & Color Designer to enhance the visual identity and emotional expression of our footwear collections. This role blends storytelling, cultural insight, and advanced color expertise to create compelling, consumer-relevant products across lifestyle and technical performance categories. You will play an important role in defining seasonal color direction, material palettes, and design narratives that connect performance heritage with contemporary lifestyle culture.

The role is a temporary full‑time position based at our HQ in Oslo on a 12‑month contract.

Key Responsibilities

Color Direction & Strategy

• Collaborate with color team and Design Director to Develop seasonal color palettes aligned with brand strategy and consumer insights
• Translate macro trends, cultural movements, and sport influences into commercial color stories
• Partner with Design Director, CVP, PM’s and Design Group to ensure cohesive execution across collections

Footwear Design Support

• Collaborate with Design Director on seasonal direction for key footwear initiatives.
• Support and deliver seasonal footwear projects, mainly within the lifestyle category
• Apply color, material, and finish (CMF) strategies to footwear silhouettes
• Create compelling colorways that elevate both inline and special make-up (SMU) products
• Collaborate with footwear designers to enhance storytelling through color and materials across The Sailing, Outdoor and Winter Sport categories

Trend Research & Insight

• Conduct ongoing research into fashion, sport, youth culture, and lifestyle trends
• Analyze competitor landscape and emerging color/material innovations
• Present seasonal trend forecasts and mood boards to internal stakeholders

Material & Finish Development

• Work closely with the external partners, to identify and develop innovative materials and finishes
• Ensure color consistency and quality across different materials and manufacturing processes
• Ensure a structured and consistent work-flow and communication around CMF topics, both internally and with external partners

Collaboration

• Partner cross-functionally with CVP’s, Design, PM’s, Marketing and external partners
• Support collaborations, limited editions, and key brand initiatives

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Design/Footwear Design/Fashion Design/Textile Design, or related field
• 2–4+ years of experience in Sport footwear, apparel, or lifestyle product design (sports industry preferred)
• Strong portfolio demonstrating design, color expertise, storytelling, and product application

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced understanding of color theory, material application, and CMF design
• Strong awareness of lifestyle, fashion, and sport culture trends
• Ability to translate insights into commercial and brand-right product solutions
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Experience with 3D tools (e.g., Rhino, Blender, or similar) is a plus
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong collaboration and cross-functional mindset
• Detail-oriented with a high level of craft and execution

What We’re Looking For

• A designer with a strong point of view on color and culture
• Someone who understands the intersection of sport performance and lifestyle expression
• A proactive creative who can balance innovation with commercial viability
• A team player who thrives in a fast-paced, global environment

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to shape the visual direction of a fast growing, global sports brand
• Work at the intersection of performance and lifestyle
• Collaborate with a passionate and creative international team
• Be part of building future-defining Helly Hansen footwear products

Any questions can be directed to [email protected]

Applications (CV, cover letter, portfolio, and any supporting documents) must be submitted through the portal only, in accordance with data protection requirements. Applications sent by email will not be considered. The application deadline is 3 September 2026.