Lead Designer, Performance - HOKA Apparel & Accessories

Deckers Brands; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and bonuses

Financial planning and wellbeing

Time away from work

Extras, discounts and perks

Growth and development

Health and wellness

Job summary

Deckers Brands is seeking a Lead Designer for HOKA Apparel & Accessories (Performance) in Portland, OR. Hybrid role—typically 3 days in office, Tue–Thu—working with athletes and influencers to translate brand direction into innovative designs.

You’ll lead the design process from concept to samples, collaborating with product teams to meet creative, commercial, and cost goals. A strong portfolio and 5–10 years in performance apparel are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design or equivalent work experience.
• 5–10 years of experience in apparel design, with a strong portfolio in performance apparel.
• Expert understanding of construction and process for performance apparel.
• Proven ability to communicate at a high level with athletes and influencers.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Keynote, and PowerPoint; 3D rendering software experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of current consumer and market trends, with the ability to translate insights into product design.

Responsibilities

• Design performance apparel and accessories that align with HOKA’s creative direction and brand vision
• Proactively propose ideas, develop concepts, sketches, and product ideation for assigned categories within established deadlines
• Collaborate with product and development teams to select materials and design products within pricing goals
• Create artwork, flat sketches, and technical details for development and tech/spec packages
• Support design leadership with tech pack creation, merch board updates, and artwork schematics
• Communicate effectively with high-profile athletes and influencers to inform design direction
• Contribute to seasonal inspiration planning and attend seasonal kickoff events
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to ensure timely sample access, ordering, and delivery
• Stay current on consumer and market trends, interpreting them into commercial product solutions
• Participate in all design-related travel, including seasonal kickoffs and inspiration trips

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Keynote

PowerPoint

3D rendering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design

Tools

3D rendering software

Job description

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us.

Job Title: Lead Designer, Performance - HOKA Apparel & Accessories

Reports to: Director, Design - HOKA Apparel

Location: Portland, OR. Hybrid – Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday – Thursday

The Role

As a Lead Designer for HOKA Apparel & Accessories (Performance), you’ll bring creative vision and technical expertise to a diverse range of performance products. You’ll work closely with high-profile athletes and influencers, translating brand and category direction into innovative, trend-driven designs. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet creative, commercial, and cost goals, while supporting the design process from concept through to final samples.

We celebrate diversity–of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

• Design performance apparel and accessories that align with HOKA’s creative direction and brand vision
• Proactively propose ideas, develop concepts, sketches, and product ideation for assigned categories within established deadlines
• Collaborate with product and development teams to select materials and design products within pricing goals
• Create artwork, flat sketches, and technical details for development and tech/spec packages
• Support design leadership with tech pack creation, merch board updates, and artwork schematics
• Communicate effectively with high-profile athletes and influencers to inform design direction
• Contribute to seasonal inspiration planning and attend seasonal kickoff events
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to ensure timely sample access, ordering, and delivery
• Stay current on consumer and market trends, interpreting them into commercial product solutions
• Participate in all design-related travel, including seasonal kickoffs and inspiration trips

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design or equivalent work experience
• 5–10 years of experience in apparel design, with a strong portfolio in performance apparel
• Expert understanding of construction and process for performance apparel
• Proven ability to communicate at a high level with athletes and influencers
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Keynote, and PowerPoint; 3D rendering software experience is a plus
• Strong knowledge of current consumer and market trends, with the ability to translate insights into product design

What We’ll Give You

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.

_ $130,000 - $140,000/year _

The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in Portland, Oregon.

Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.