Director, Kobe Apparel Product Design

Nike • Beaverton, OR

1d

About The Position

The Director, Kobe Apparel Product Design leads a nimble team of apparel designers creating elevated platforms and systems for Kobe Apparel. The role shapes innovative, athlete-inspired performance apparel that reflects the Kobe mindset through performance, precision, purpose, and artistry, while honoring Kobe’s legacy and helping define the future of basketball apparel.

From concept through execution, the director leads the end-to-end design process, including research, concept development, sketching, mood boards, material and trim direction, and prototype refinement. The role translates athlete and consumer insights into product concepts, collections, and narratives, and partners with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet high standards of innovation, performance, and craft. The director also inspires, guides, and mentors designers. Applicants must submit a creative design portfolio through website links or a PDF.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or a related field, or a suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in a design environment working with materials, trims, design, and fit.
• Exceptional knowledge of design, art, and fashion, and passion for sport and youth culture.
• Exceptional design skills, including hand drawing and sketching, hand illustration, concept ideation, texture, spacing and scale, visual presentation development, and layout.
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Adobe Illustrator.
• Comprehensive understanding of garment construction and fit, textile sciences, and apparel trims.
• Ability to translate consumer and athlete insights into innovative product solutions and narratives.
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing, high-growth environment and manage multiple, competing priorities, demands, and changes.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to inspire, involve, and mentor others.
• Enthusiastic, positive attitude and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Must submit a creative design portfolio via website links or PDF.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of apparel designers.
• Design innovative, athlete-informed performance apparel for Kobe Basketball.
• Translate athlete and consumer insights into product concepts, collections, and narratives.
• Lead the end-to-end design process, including research, concept development, sketching, mood boards, material and trim direction, and prototype refinement.
• Build design worlds, mood boards, and presentations that communicate creative vision.
• Partner with cross-functional teams across Innovation, Excellence, Development, Materials, Styling, Footwear, Color, Graphics, PLM, and Merchandising.
• Guide products toward high standards of innovation, performance, precision, and craft.
• Inspire and guide other designers in creative excellence and product innovation.

Benefits

• Interview accommodations are available, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible single-location in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director