We're looking for a Design Director Footwear Innovation to join the team at Nike. The Design Director Footwear innovation has a passion for Footwear design, working in and leading a team, and a Passion to create the Future of Sport.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
You will collaborate and mentor within the Innovation design team (industrial designers, materials, color, computational, etc.), and work hand in hand with a project team of different professionals (product managers, developers, researchers, marketing, engineers, etc.). This role reports directly the VP Innovation Footwear Design. You will manage a team of 2 product designers, collaborate with Materials, Digital designers, Color designers and build and direct larger projects teams.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
As our Design Director Footwear Innovation you will direct the creation of industry-leading footwear and innovations bringing bold concepts to life. You will solve complex design challenges and create iconic products that inspire through both function and form. We value strong problem solving in providing athletes* with measurable benefits in performance that are matched with breathtaking iconic designs. You will research the Athlete and ideate on future solutions for Performance footwear. The ideal candidate is a visionary designer with experience designing performance footwear, 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 with Nikes consumer. With a deep understanding of Sport, cultural relevance, consumer insights, and emerging trends, this individual will continually challenge industry conventions and set a high standard for creativity, desirability, and Innovative thinking.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
In Nike Innovation, you will work as the leader of a team that designs and pushes the possibilities of the human potential through footwear (and beyond). We expect you to lead and explore new opportunities, take risks, and change the game! In your day to day, you will engage with project teammates on researching, gaining insights, problem solving around performance and manufacturing, working with athletes, and crafting a vast range of creative and appealing solutions, that are also sustainable and considerate of cost. As a leader you will help your team to also participate and present the work in informal and formal reviews. As a design leader designer with deep knowledge and experience in footwear, you will be seen as a team leader and mentor for other designers.
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, a related field or equivalent combination of education, experience or training
- 8 years’ experience designing and developing innovative footwear and other products
- Knowledge of form, color, materials, human factors, related to elevating the consumer experience
- Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives
- Experience in technical footwear design – Performance footwear is a plus
- Strong Photoshop, Illustrator skills
- Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs) and have the knowledge to direct/coach the team to build them
- Cobbling and prototyping skills are a plus
- 3D design programs experience is a plus
- Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills
- Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
- Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing are a plus
- Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
- Positive personality and energy
- Ability and passion to lead, mentor and onboard Design teammates
- Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviors
- Catalyst to make connections with other Design groups
- Lead + drive partnerships beyond the Design function (Marketing, Engineering, Development, etc.)
- Motivated and hardworking about bringing others along
- Extraordinary teammate, and humble leader
- Collaborator with a skill in connecting the dots
- Speaks up with courage for self and the team
- Open minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, a related field, or equivalent education, experience, or training
- 8 years of experience designing and developing innovative footwear and other products
- Knowledge of form, color, materials, and human factors
- Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives
- Experience in technical footwear design
- Strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills
- Ability to build accurate 2D technical drawings and tech packs
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
- Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills
- Experience with presentation programs such as Keynote, PowerPoint, and Acrobat
- Ability and passion to lead, mentor, and onboard design teammates
- Experience with performance footwear design
- Cobbling and prototyping skills
- Experience with 3D design programs
- Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing
- Ability to direct and coach a team in building technical drawings and tech packs
- Strong collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills
Nike Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nike and has not been reviewed or approved by Nike.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a company match is complemented by options such as a Mega Backdoor Roth and deferred compensation for eligible earners. Financial coaching and structured savings programs support long-term financial security.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a stock discount sits alongside broad-based equity vehicles like RSUs and non-qualified stock options. These avenues expand wealth-building opportunities beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave includes maternity and paternity time, recently expanded in the U.S. to 16 weeks and extended to part-time retail teammates. Additional supports include childcare assistance at select locations and family-building benefits such as fertility, surrogacy, and adoption.
Nike Insights
What We Do
At NIKE, Inc., we innovate to serve athletes*. Every teammate - from coder to creator - plays a role in making these athletes’ dreams real. Our tech, data, and digital teams push limits every day, building the future of sport and the tools that drive it. Here, curiosity is fuel. Innovation is the game plan. Different perspectives keep us on the offense. You’ll solve challenges worth tackling, grow fast and belong to a team that backs you to do the right thing. Bring your drive. Bring your bold. Let’s move the world, together. Take your first step at nike.com/careers * If you have a body, you’re an athlete.
Why Work With Us
At NIKE, Inc., your dedication fuels the future of sport. There is a sense of pride that comes from representing an iconic brand and shaping its future. Here, we treat every day as a new opportunity to push boundaries, ask tough questions and share whole-hearted convictions. We are a team – united by the belief that anything is possible.
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