Director, Kobe Apparel Product Design

Nike • Beaverton, OR

3d

About The Position

The Director, Kobe Apparel Product Design leads a nimble team of apparel designers creating elevated design platforms and systems for Kobe Apparel. The role drives innovative, athlete-inspired performance apparel that blends performance, precision, artistry, and purpose while honoring Kobe’s legacy and shaping the future of basketball apparel.

The position leads the end-to-end design process, from research and concept development through sketching, mood boards, material and trim direction, and prototype refinement. It translates athlete and consumer insights into product concepts, collections, and narratives, and collaborates with cross-functional design, product management, and development partners to deliver high standards of innovation, performance, and craft. The director also mentors and inspires designers and helps define performance basketball apparel for the next generation of athletes.

Applicants must submit a creative design portfolio, either as website links or a PDF. Accommodation options are available during the interview process, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible interview locations, and closed captioning; candidates may request other reasonable modifications as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or a related field, or a suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• At least 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 a passion for sport and youth culture.
• Exceptional design skills, including hand drawing and sketching, hand illustration, concept ideation, use of texture, spacing and scale, visual presentation development, and layout.
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including strong familiarity with Adobe Illustrator.
• Comprehensive understanding of garment construction and fit.
• Comprehensive understanding of 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 and competing priorities, demands, and changes.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including inspiring, involving, and mentoring others.
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Must submit a creative design portfolio through website links or a PDF.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a nimble team of apparel designers, inspiring and guiding them toward creative excellence and product innovation.
• Lead design of innovative, athlete-informed performance apparel for Kobe Basketball.
• Translate athlete and consumer insights into meaningful product concepts, collections, and narratives.
• Drive 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.
• Collaborate with design, product management, and development partners to ensure products meet high standards of innovation, performance, and craft.
• Help define performance basketball apparel for the next generation of athletes.

What This Job Offers

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