Principal Designer, FW Materials & Color NA Express Lane, Jordan

Nike • Beaverton, OR

3d

About The Position

This is an individual contributor opportunity reporting to the NA GEL Design Director and involves working directly with the NA footwear design team and the NA Product Management and Development teams, as well as Nike creative and business stakeholders. You’ll also play a mentorship role, guiding junior designers and contributing to the creative leadership culture within the North America team. If this is you, you will be helping to lead the NAEL, Jordan design team in creating unique, geo-specific collections across Men’s, Women’s and Kids product on a seasonal basis. This will include setting distinct color and material direction, developing original content and product storytelling. The Principal Designer will work closely with: Graphic Designers to develop prints, patterns and trims. Product Management teams to build engaging, trend-driven narratives that meet the needs of target consumers Development teams to communicate design intent, help with schematic creation and review and workshop prototypes. The ideal candidate will also be responsible for managing and designing presentation materials and presenting concepts to internal teams and leadership as well as external partners. 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 creative leader who embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and will thrive in a team environment. We are looking for an experienced creative leader with an entrepreneurial mindset who thrives in a collaborative environment. This individual embodies our values of authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and courage, while operating with independence and a strong self driven approach. They have a proven track record of influencing internal and external partners, setting a clear vision, and executing decisively. The ideal Principal Designer will lead seasonal material direction and color strategy for footwear within the North America Express Lane business. They will play an active role in shaping the creative process, bringing strong cross functional communication skills and the ability to present compelling concepts to diverse audiences. This designer is a strategic thinker and versatile problem solver, comfortable navigating ambiguity and delivering high impact solutions in a fast paced environment, with a deep understanding of footwear construction, color theory, textiles, and emerging design and fashion trends. The Principal Footwear Color & Materials Designer is a creative leader who thrives in fast-paced, multicultural environments, always looking to break new ground and push the boundaries of possibility for Jordan Brand. This role shaping seasonal product stories across for all genders, while actively seeking innovative approaches and new opportunities to elevate the Jordan Brand. Key responsibilities include developing material and color strategies for NA Express Lane, presenting ideas to varied audiences, and managing complex projects within tight deadlines. The role demands strong problem-solving, project management, and collaboration skills, plus expertise in North America specific design trends. Essential are knowledge of footwear construction, color theory, and textiles, as well as adaptability and experience working with factory partners on innovative designs. Uses sophisticated skills to create product expressions that align with global creative direction, seasonal key concepts, gender strategies, franchise journeys, geo assortments and connect with the NA consumer.

Requirements

• BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred in graphic design, fashion design, industrial design, apparel design, material design, or textile design. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• Preferred design experience: 8+ years
• Comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging design and fashion trends in sportswear and streetwear footwear and apparel.
• Willingness and ability to travel seasonally.
• Expert-level knowledge in Color and Materials Design for products.
• Strong understanding of footwear construction, schematic development and tech pack creation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines at once.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end product creation process.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into thoughtful narratives and graphic storytelling.
• Strong visual and verbal presentation skills; able to effectively show and communicate design intent to internal and external audiences.
• Experience in leading a cross-functional team of developers and project managers through design and creation.
• Professional level experience using Illustrator & Photoshop; Miro

Nice To Haves

• People management experience: Nice to have
• Experienced mentor supporting junior designers' growth in a collaborative, inclusive creative team.

Responsibilities

• Drive the seasonal color and materials strategy for the NA footwear by leveraging consumer insights and market trends to craft innovative palettes, trims, and applications that deliver compelling product stories.
• Partner with Product Management, and Development to build trend-driven assortments, communicate design intent, review prototypes, and refine execution.
• Obsess storytelling and share the “why” behind the work.
• Present concepts clearly to internal teams, leadership, and external partners, effectively communicating the purpose behind design decisions.
• Manage design deliverables and project timelines, planning and executing product details, reviewing samples, resolving feasibility issues, and ensuring timely project completion.
• Demonstrate strong trend mining skills with a deep connection to consumer and city trends; in-depth knowledge of Nike DNA and the color blocking of iconic footwear models is an advantage.
• Mentoring junior designers and contribute to the studio’s creative culture.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees