WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As the Senior Expert Designer, Nike Basketball Signature Apparel, you will lead the creation of industry-leading apparel bringing bold concepts to life. You will solve complex design challenges and create iconic products that inspire through both function and form.

Inspired by the signature athlete, you will help define a new visual language for Nike Basketball—one that expresses sport through style, performance, and modern design. This role requires both creative ambition and strategic focus, partnering across a global brand to build scalable design systems and advance creative innovation.

The ideal candidate is a visionary designer with exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic point of view, and an unwavering commitment to craft. They bring a sharp eye for detail, proportion, materiality, and execution, consistently delivering elevated design solutions. Through strong creative leadership, they will develop compelling products that resonate emotionally with consumers both on and off the court.

With a deep understanding of cultural relevance, consumer insights, and emerging trends, this individual will continually challenge industry conventions and set a high standard for creativity, desirability, and aesthetic excellence.

Role Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Fashion Design or related field. Will accept any 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, as well as passion for sport and youth culture
• Exceptional ability to apply and perform design skills, including hand drawing/sketching, hand illustrations, need to be well versed in Adobe Illustrator, concept ideation, color theory, use of texture, spacing and scale, visual presentation development and layout.
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Comprehensive understanding of garment construction and fit.
• Comprehensive understanding of textile sciences.
• Comprehensive understanding of apparel trims.
• 3D design program experience is a plus.
• Expert ability to build design worlds, mood boards and presentations of creative vision.
• Expert ability to translate consumer and athlete insights into product solutions and narratives.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including ability to inspire, involve and mentor others within work group.
• Accustomed to working in a rapidly changing, high growth environment and to manage multiple and competing work priorities, demands and changes.
• Embody the passion to work on innovation and style.
• An enthusiastic and positive attitude and the ability to work efficiently in a quick paced environment.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

You will report directly to the Sr Creative Director, Kobe Brand + Nike Basketball, and collaborate with partners across Footwear, Color, Graphics, Product Management, Development, and Merch.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

You’ll lead the creation of culturally relevant, style-driven apparel, turning global trends and athlete insights into compelling collections.

From concept ideation to final execution, you’ll drive the design process, researching, sketching, creating mood boards, defining materials and trims, and guiding prototypes through development. You’ll collaborate with partners across design, product, and development to ensure creative excellence, innovation, and consistency. This role requires curiosity, courage, and collaboration and the vision to imagine how basketball can look and feel for the next generation.

With each project, you are encouraged to also participate and present the work in informal and formal reviews. In addition to individual project work, the Senior Expert Apparel Designer will also collaborate and help build the design direction with the Senior Creative Director. As a top-tier designer with deep knowledge and experience in apparel, you will be seen as a team leader and mentor for other designers.
 

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.