Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
New Balance are offering a 1 year paid undergraduate placement to an undergraduate student, currently in penultimate year of study. We are looking for an enthusiastic student with a passion for footwear design to join our European team. The role will support the design team across Lifestyle, Kids and SMU projects, driving innovative and engaging solutions to product briefs. Training and support will be given, allowing you to gain a broad knowledge of a Footwear Design department and global business.
This placement opportunity will start on Monday 16th June 2025 and will be based in the Head Office (Warrington) full time.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Sunday 2nd February 2025
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Provide creative and organisational support to the EMEA Footwear Design team across multiple product categories.
- Become competent working on live SMU projects, collaborating with key accounts and partners to achieve impactful quick-to-market results.
- Develop solid understanding of the product briefing process, consumer groups and target FOBs.
- Deliver compelling and relevant product stories through effective application of colour, material and graphics.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Product Development and Product Management teams.
- Understand product creation timelines and work to global calendar dates to ensure that deadlines are consistently met.
- Manage seasonal colour and material palette resources at a regional level whilst building and maintaining strong relationships with our global concept team.
- Attend brief handover, design review and tech pack hand off meetings.
- Research market trends, consumer insights, competitor activity and create reports.
- Become point of contact for managing missing CAD requests.
- Research opportunities for market travel and creative inspiration.
- Support on ad hoc projects as required.
- Support Office Management when required, including but not limited to, coordination of Sample Sales and covering reception.
KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
- Studying towards a degree in a relevant design subject. For example, Footwear Design, Product Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design or Textile Design
- Must be able to provide right to work in the UK.
- Familiar with Adobe Creative and Microsoft Office software.
- Creative and innovative thinker with a strong passion for Lifestyle/sports footwear.
- High level of attention to detail.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Results driven - follows through to conclusion on all projects/commitments.
- Ability to use initiative and work independently.
- Team player.
- Continuous Improvement mindset.
- Some travel may be required.
To see more of our placement opportunities, please visit our careers page at https://jobs.newbalance.com/global/en
Equal Opportunity Employer:
New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
Top Skills
What We Do
In 1906, New Balance began as a humble one-man operation founded on the belief that “we were born to move,” and has since grown into an international corporation, selling footwear and apparel in over 120 countries and employing over 8,000 associates worldwide. Our mission has always been to support the performance of athletes, and with an unparalleled focus on quality and craftsmanship, we’ve come to set the standard for comfort and fit in an industry all too often driven by hype.
We’re incredibly proud of our history and how far we’ve come, but companies don’t thrive for over a century by being content.
Whether it’s setting a new style trend, retooling our manufacturing process, or building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, we pursue innovation with a spirit of fearless independence. As the only privately held major footwear company in the world, we’re free to do things our way, pushing limits and testing boundaries as we continually reimagine what could be. After all, the status quo isn’t static.
But doing things our way wouldn’t mean much if we weren’t also doing them the right way. We invest in our associates as they invest in us, and as we move forward, we make a point of giving back, supporting communities around us through ambitious philanthropic efforts and involvement programs. We are a company that cares, and our culture is one of integrity and teamwork where together we become greater than the sum of our parts.
