Today, Columbia announces its search for two new Directors of Toughness, a dream role for passionate adventurers – open to European applicants for the first time with the positon based out of the UK. The two candidates awarded the position will embark on a nine-month adventure around the world to test Columbia’s range of performance products in the most extreme conditions, so those who don’t get a thrill from pushing their minds and bodies to the limit need not apply.
Columbia has a storied history of putting its gear to the test in the most inclement weather and harshest terrain and last year surprised the industry by creating two unique full time positions within the company, entitled “Director of Toughness”. Proudly standing by its promise to deliver products that are #TestedTough, Directors of Toughness serve as full-time beta testers, brand ambassadors and social media gurus. They work to ensure that Columbia apparel and gear keep people warm, dry, cool and protected in any weather or geographic situation.
Players from Manchester United, one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world will launch the recruitment drive on September 27th by delivering a video message to the team’s 70+ million social media fans whilst wearing the Columbia Sportswear x Manchester United debut outdoor apparel line. Hopeful candidates will then be challenged to interview in-person at one of the UK’s most remote locations – The Isle of Skye, Scotland, making this “The Toughest Interview (To Get To).”
Columbia’s inaugural Directors of Toughness, Lauren Steele and Zach Doleac, selected from thousands of applicants spent six months traveling the globe, from the summit of Ecuador’s Cayambe volcano to the Arctic coast of Manitoba – putting Columbia’s gear through the harshest conditions imaginable. Now Columbia has upped the ante for this year’s recruits. In addition to job perks that include a full-time salary and benefits, the brand is extending the job duration from six to nine months to allow for an even greater range of extreme adventures.
“The Directors of Toughness have become integral employees, not only testing our products but also sharing compelling stories,” said Columbia Sportswear Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Richelle Luther. “We are excited to identify and hire two new outdoor enthusiasts, and to put a spotlight on the effort our employees go through to ensure our products keep people comfortable, regardless of the conditions.”
Candidates eligible for employment in the U.K. will be able to register to interview online at Columbia.com/ToughJob from the 3rd October. To be considered, interested candidates must face “The Toughest Interview” with the final 2 applicants picked from 4 casting calls, 2 in the U.S.A., 1 in Canada and 1 in the U.K. If you think you’ve got what it takes to make the grade, act quickly for a shot at applying for the position!
INFO: Columbia
