Nike Express Lane is one of the fastest product engines at Nike, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. This competitive advantage allows the team to capture current and developing market trends as well as regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed. We are looking for a candidate who is an experienced people manager and creative leader who embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and will thrive in a team environment.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The ideal Senior Design Manager will be responsible for establishing seasonal colour strategy and material toolbox direction for all EMEA lifestyle and performance footwear while actively managing and coaching a team of high-performing designers. This manager will be an active and proficient participant in the creative process and have excellent cross-functional communication skills, presenting design concepts to internal and external audiences and setting expectations for creative execution and timlieness of deliverables.The Senior Design Manager will be an expert creative problem solver who excels in a fast-paced environment, has a strong understanding of emerging design and fashion trends, extensive knowledge of footwear construction and textiles, and will be a positive force within the team.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
If this is you, you will be helping to lead the EMEA Footwear Design team in creating unique geo-specific collections across Mens, Womens, Kids and Jordan product on a season-to-season basis. This will include setting colour and material direction and guiding the team to translate consumer trends into seasonal product. This role will require driving product excellence through the connection of design, development and manufacturing. Through key city research and deep EMEA consumer understanding, you will build concepts that capture and fuse colour trends, fashion, art, design and sport.
WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH
On a day-to-day basis you will be working directly with the EMEA Footwear Design Team including Colour, Material, graphics and the EMEA Footwear Product Management and Development team. The Senior Design Manager FTW Color & Materials will also collaborate with Apparel counterparts to concept head-to-toe Footwear and Apparel expressions. The candidate will work with other Geo Express Lane Design counterparts in the other Geographies, as well as Global Material, Color and Graphic designers. This position reports into the EMEA Footwear Design Director and will also have their own direct reports.
WHAT YOU BRING
Education
BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred in a design background (i.e. graphic design, fashion design, industrial design, apparel design, material design, textile design or a related field.)
Experience:
Preferred design experience: 8+ years
People management experience 2-3 years
Creative experience in color/ material design
Knowledge of the EMEA consumer
Skills/Requirements:
Digital design acumen (design-based software needed: Creative Suite)
Preferred knowledge and experience with advanced digital tools/3D skills
Expert in color theory, material knowledge and technical application
Expert of make and manufacturing
Expert in presentation & communication skills
Expert design skills, brief to presentation to manufacturing
Expert in creative process
Expert in business context
Expert in understanding of insights
Ability to design advance material concepts
High technical skillset
Brings new sustainable methods into product
Comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging design and fashion trends in sportswear and streetwear.
Deep understanding of the EMEA consumer, marketplace and retail landscape.
Ability to translate consumer insights into thoughtful narratives and storytelling.
Strong visual and verbal presentation skills; able to effectively show and communicate design intent to internal and external audiences.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines at once.
TO BE CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT A CREATIVE DESIGN PORTFOLIO. PLEASE PROVIDE WEBSITE LINKS OR ATTACH PDF FILES WHEN YOU APPLY.
