Job Description

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

As a Director in Kobe Expression (Color, Graphics, Materials Design) you will collaborate and mentor within the design community (concept designers, industrial designers, materials, color, graphics, computational, etc.), and be working hand in hand with a large project team of different professionals (product managers, developers, researchers, marketing, costing, etc.). This role reports directly to the Senior Creative Director, Kobe Footwear & Apparel Product Design and will lead a team of designers across footwear and apparel.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for an exceptional Director, Kobe Expression Design to combine their experience, problem-solving abilities, and creativity to help create the future of Kobe Brand.

The ideal teammate will be a design visionary with exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic point of view, and an unwavering commitment to craft. This is someone who relentlessly pursues elevated design solutions, bringing a sharp eye for detail, proportion, and storytelling to every project. They will lead through design vision, creating compelling products that resonate emotionally with consumers both on and off the court. With a deep understanding of cultural relevance and emerging trends, they will shape innovative and distinctive expressions across footwer and apparel, pushing the boundaries of the industry and setting a high bar for creativity, desirability, and aesthetic excellence.

• Bachelor's degree in Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• 10+ years working in Design or related field
• 2 years in a management or leadership role (5 years preferred)
• Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives
• Exceptional knowledge of design, art, and fashion, as well as passion for sport and youth culture
• Ability to build seasonal concepts and narratives, exploring new innovations, techniques, and ideas, with both short- and long-term vision
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
• Experienced with presentation and design programs: Keynote, Adobe Creative Suite
• Strong communication and relationship leadership skills, ability to collaborate with cross functional partners
• Ability to lead and mentor designers, build opportunities for development, make hiring decisions, and drive performance management, recognition and rewards.
• Open-minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view

**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, YOU MUST PROVIDE A DESIGN PORTFOLIO (UPLOAD A PDF OR PROVIDE A URL AND PASSWORD IF APPLICABLE)

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

Is that you? If so, you will be leading color, graphic, and material design for the Kobe brand. You will work on elevating new techniques and expressions that influence brand-new models, as well as on seasonal narratives elevating existing materials for our classics and iconic products.

Your goal is to aim for product excellence by partnering with key stakeholders cross-functionally on the product creations process, and help bring the vision for the future of Kobe Brand to life.

You will unleash creativity with a focus on industry leading design as well as leveraging consumer insights to inform our creative response. and focus on how we drive innovation and cultural connections embedded into our designs to create separation. The daily responsibilities of this role are wide-ranging, ambitious, and dynamic.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form