Head Of Design - Product Innovation

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. The company pioneered modern fiber cement building products and continues to invest in innovation to transform the industry. James Hardie is a high-performance organization, with an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,000 employees across operations in North America.

Make your dream career a reality. It’s possible!

Chicago-Based, In-person 3 days per week /Remote Hybrid

James Hardie is the world leader in the fiber cement siding.  The business has transformed the markets we operate in by delivering a value proposition of durability and aesthetics in the exteriors of homes.

It is the vision of our Global R&PD business to have an inspired team delivering sustainable innovation to fuel Hardie's growth. As part of this team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside industry-leading engineers and scientists, develop and pursue research, work with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and be challenged to think differently about the way you work. Our business is fast-paced, and our people are smart in the way they solve problems, driven in their pursuit of results, and real in the way they build relationships and work together.

The Head of Design is responsible for leading the development and execution of the global Design capability for James Hardie. They are to drive the transition from our products and systems, having a technical/engineering focus, to a complete Design approach, combining form and function.  This will involve scaling the detail of product and accessory Design to the architectural concept of ‘home’ in North America, Australia, and Europe.  As such, the role bridges leadership in industrial/product design and architecture. The Head of Design will drive the re-setting of the design function, by creating the Global Design vision, and then leading, building, and motivating the team to deliver the vision.  This position will report to the Director of Global Strategy and Business Development, and work in partnership with our Global Insights, Product Development and Technology teams, in addition to the Product Management teams in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. 

• Build, lead and manage the Global Design team.  Critique and coach design work of team.   
• Works with Product Development team, taking design from concept drawings to final product.
• Develop and manage an external network of Design partners, as appropriate in each Global region.
• Drive a robust Design process into the organization.
• Coordinates architectural interests with other industry leaders to ensure product design quality standards.  Coordinates with Marketing with ideas to strengthen marketability and presentation Of Designs.
• Participates in new business development opportunities.  Participates in the research and development of new design solutions and trends.  Participates in Strategic Management planning sessions and other long-range planning.
• Deliver design competence in New Product Development in line with human centred design principles, including product marketability and cost effectiveness.
• Integrate design thinking into execution of Technology and product creation.
• Partner with the Technology/manufacturing, Product Development/insights, and Product Management/commercial teams to ensure design relentlessly focuses on building out our right to win with feasible, desirable, and viable products/solutions.
• 3 Direct reports
• Travel 25% 

• Subject matter expertise - 10 years’ experience in Industrial Design and/or residential Architecture.
• Global leadership capability - experience in leading of teams in these disciplines located in various locations/time zones.
• Business integration - ability to integrate into a corporate enterprise, with the resilience to effectively and progressively lead change to deliver Design leadership into a large building products business.

Ability to visualize residential structures, residential exterior detailing, and translate varying different industry standards and trends across the world into specific design responses.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Comprehensive low-cost co-pay Health Insurance; medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance benefits for every 30+ hour full-time employee. Insurance starts on day one!
• 401(k) Retirement plan that will match 100% of employees saved dollars up to the first 6% of your salary
• Paid holidays, paid vacation including Jury Duty and bereavement leave
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental Leave
• Community Involvement & Sustainable Solutions - Fire Resistant Siding to Help Rebuild the Grizzly Flats Community | James Hardie
• And more

Apply now and come “home” to Hardie!

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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.