DIRECTOR, GLOBAL CREATIVE CONCEPT DESIGN

Nike - Beaverton, OR

Full-time - Senior

Beaverton, OR

Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing

About the position

As a Creative Concept Director at NIKE, Inc., you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the brand through innovative design and storytelling. This position is part of the Concept Design team, which is at the forefront of defining Nike's creative direction. You will bridge the gap between emerging innovations, athlete insights, product design, and brand storytelling, ensuring that the ideas developed resonate with athletes globally. Your leadership will guide the creative process, transforming strategic concepts into compelling visual narratives that influence the entire organization. In this role, you will collaborate closely with various teams, including product design leaders, consumer insights, and brand business leaders, to identify opportunities and craft visual identities that connect with athletes. Your daily activities may include brainstorming sessions, photoshoots, inspiration travel, and pitching ideas to Nike leadership. You will be responsible for not only conceptualizing ideas but also for orchestrating the creative collaboration necessary to bring those ideas to life, utilizing your expertise in strategy, art direction, and world-building. The Creative Concept Director is expected to be an outstanding leader and a collaborative teammate, adept at managing a team of Concept Designers and working alongside Creative Stylists. You will need to stay ahead of trends in design and culture, ensuring that your creative output is both relevant and inspiring. Your passion for creativity and ability to synthesize cultural, athlete, and business insights into actionable strategies will be crucial in activating the Nike organization around your ideas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Concept Design team in developing innovative ideas that define the future of Nike.
• Collaborate with product design leaders, consumer insights, and brand business leaders to identify opportunities and craft visual identities.
• Conceptualize and illustrate ideas for the organization, utilizing strategy, creative direction, and art direction.
• Manage and mentor Concept Designers and collaborate with Creative Stylists to bring concepts to life.
• Conduct brainstorming sessions, photoshoots, and inspiration travel to gather insights and develop ideas.
• Pitch creative concepts to Nike leadership and external partners, effectively communicating the vision and strategy behind the ideas.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Design or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in design, within product or marketing, brand, or agency.
• Expertise in all aspects of visual design and experience in creative strategy and narrative.
• Experience managing other creatives as direct reports, demonstrating leadership skills.
• A solid portfolio showcasing relevant work, including storytelling, photo art direction, brand identity, and world-building.
• Excellent verbal and visual communication skills, with the ability to present and defend creative ideas effectively.
• Ability to collaborate with and manage external creative partners, fostering strong relationships.
• Strong interpersonal skills and resourcefulness to cultivate cross-functional partnerships.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in youth culture and a deep understanding of design culture.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing business needs while maintaining creative quality.
• A positive mentality and laser-sharp focus to work efficiently under pressure.

Benefits

• Generous total rewards package
• Casual work environment
• Diverse and inclusive culture
• Opportunities for professional development