Director, Kobe CMG Design

Nike • Beaverton, OR

3d

About The Position

The Director of Kobe Expression Design leads color, graphic, and material design for the Kobe brand and leads a team of designers across footwear and apparel. The role develops elevated design techniques and expressions for new models, while building seasonal narratives that advance materials used in classic and iconic products. The Director partners with cross-functional stakeholders to pursue product excellence and bring the future vision of the Kobe brand to life, using consumer insights to inform creative work and embedding innovation and cultural connections into designs.

The position calls for a design visionary with exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic point of view, and a strong commitment to craft. The Director shapes distinctive footwear and apparel expressions informed by cultural relevance and emerging trends, aiming for creativity, desirability, and aesthetic excellence. The role collaborates with and mentors a broad design community and works closely with professionals across product management, development, research, marketing, and costing. It reports to the Senior Creative Director, Kobe Footwear & Apparel Product Design.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field; a suitable combination of education, experience, and training will also be accepted.
• 10+ years of experience working in Design or a related field.
• At least 2 years in a management or leadership role.
• Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives.
• Exceptional knowledge of design, art, and fashion, and a passion for sport and youth culture.
• Ability to build seasonal concepts and narratives and explore innovations, techniques, and ideas with short- and long-term vision.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials.
• Experience with presentation and design programs, including Keynote and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong communication and relationship leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to lead and mentor designers, support their development, make hiring decisions, and drive performance management, recognition, and rewards.
• Open-mindedness, listening skills, and receptiveness to candid feedback and diverse points of view.
• Must provide a design portfolio by uploading a PDF or supplying a URL and password, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

• 5 years of management or leadership experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead color, graphic, and material design for the Kobe brand.
• Lead a team of designers across footwear and apparel.
• Develop new techniques and expressions that influence new product models.
• Create seasonal narratives that elevate materials for classic and iconic products.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders throughout the product creation process to pursue product excellence.
• Use consumer insights to inform creative responses and product solutions.
• Embed innovation and cultural connections into designs to create distinctive products.
• Collaborate with and mentor members of the broader design community.
• Lead and mentor designers, create development opportunities, make hiring decisions, and manage performance, recognition, and rewards.

What This Job Offers

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