About the Role
The Expert Designer, Footwear for Jordan Basketball is responsible for new creation design of performance footwear for the Jordan Brand. The role works directly with professional athletes to design world-class signature and non-signature basketball footwear. The designer collaborates daily with Materials Design, Colour Design, and Graphic Design, and works closely with the Design Director to create model and seasonal design direction that expands upon the seasonal creative vision from the Senior Director. The role also helps lead the cross-functional team to maintain a clear and holistic design point of view and mentors other product design teammates.
Key Responsibilities
- Create new designs for performance footwear for the Jordan Brand.
- Work directly with professional athletes to design world-class signature and non-signature basketball footwear.
- Raise the bar in the performance and style of Jordan Basketball footwear by applying a strong understanding of lateral sport performance, construction and manufacturing, and business and design needs.
- Collaborate daily with Materials Design, Colour Design, and Graphic Design to create concepts reviewed by the Design Leadership Team.
- Help lead the cross-functional team to maintain a clear and holistic design point of view amid multiple levels of feedback and stakeholders.
- Work with the team and leadership to sharpen key needs and next steps for progress where ambiguity exists.
- Work closely with the Design Director to create model and seasonal design direction that expands upon the seasonal creative vision from the Senior Director.
- Mentor other product design teammates and display the behaviours necessary to rise to the occasion as a team.
- Treat others thoughtfully and with respect, and build teammates' confidence to create a welcoming, inclusive team environment where feedback is a cultural norm.
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in product design or a relevant design degree, or a combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
- At least 5 years of experience designing and developing innovative footwear products.
- Strong understanding of lateral sport performance, construction and manufacturing experience, and both business and design needs.
- Ability to understand subcultures linked to the world of basketball and provide a point of view for distinction from trends and competitors.
- Proficient in Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Top notch ideation and styling.
- Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills.
- Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials.
- Must be able to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project.
- Positive attitude and energy, and be a team player and collaborator who works well with others.
- Relentless desire to pursue greatness, with determination and resilience to succeed in the role.
Preferred Skills
- Experience working with a signature athlete, specifically basketball.
- 3D design program experience.
- Cobbling and prototyping skills.
- AI exploration and rendering abilities.
Workplace
- Travel to meet athletes is required, including at short notice.
- Regular travel to overseas Product Creation Centres is required multiple times per year.