Senior Director, Concept Design Excellence, Global Jordan

Nike•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Jordan Design is where creative possibility meets purpose. It’s a place for builders, boundary-breakers, and vision-setters — people who move with conviction, think originally, and create work shaped by real experience and cultural depth. Our team thrives when imagination, discipline, and collaboration come together. We look for leaders who bring their full creative voice, who understand the communities that inspire us, and who are driven to shape the future for the next generation of Jordan athletes and fans. Who we are looking for We’re looking for a Sr. Creative Director, Design Concept Excellence, to join the Jordan Design organization and help define the future of the brand. Concept Design is the connective tissue between emerging innovation, athlete insight, product vision, cultural fluency, and brand storytelling. It is where the earliest sparks of Jordan’s future take shape — illustrated, sharpened, and shepherded into narratives that fuel product, brand, and marketplace teams across the globe. In this role, you will report directly to the Chief Design Officer and sit on the Jordan Design Leadership Team. You will partner closely with field-of-play Creative Directors, Concepts and Design Excellence leaders in Footwear, Apparel, 3D, and Color & Materials to establish the highest standard for concept development across the brand. You will collaborate with Concept leaders throughout Jordan to ensure aligned, end-to-end excellence rooted in soulful, culturally grounded narratives; flawless execution; and world-building expressed through product, story, and environment — amplified by cultural nuance and intention. The ideal candidate brings a grounded creative point of view shaped by real experience, deep curiosity, and a commitment to elevating the communities and cultures that define Jordan. You’re a collaborative and strategic leader who can transform insight into direction, unify teams around a shared vision, and build the systems and storytelling tools that push the brand forward. You operate with imagination and discipline — equally energized by shaping bold creative futures and crafting the detailed materials that bring them to life. This leader sets the tone for Concept Excellence across Jordan Design and will guide the Concept Excellence team into the next era. What you will work on As the Sr. Creative Director, Design Concept Excellence, your role is to build the creative worlds that define the future of Jordan. You will lead the Concept Excellence team and partner closely with the Chief Design Officer, field-of-play Creative Directors, and Design Excellence leaders across Footwear, Apparel, 3D, and Color & Materials. You’ll also collaborate with Concept leaders across the brand — aligning on end-to-end excellence, culturally resonant narratives, and world-building that connects product, story, and environment with clarity and intention. Your work spans the full breadth of Jordan Design. You’ll help identify opportunities, shape creative direction, build visual identities, and define how ideas come to life across the brand. You will be at the center of connecting athlete insight, cultural influence, and design vision into cohesive concepts that move the organization forward. A typical day may include setting the creative tone for the future of Jordan Design, leading cross-functional brainstorms, guiding photoshoots, traveling for inspiration, working with agencies and external partners, gathering athlete perspective, or pitching new concepts to Jordan leadership. Alongside your team, you will shape the ideas themselves — and use your blend of strategy, creative direction, art direction, and world-building to bring those ideas to life with depth and precision across the organization. Who you will work with The Sr. Creative Director, Design Concept Excellence reports directly to the Chief Design Officer and leads the Concept Excellence team within Jordan Design. You will work as part of the Jordan Design Leadership Team, collaborating closely with field-of-play Creative Directors and Design Excellence leaders across Footwear, Apparel, 3D, and Color & Materials. In your day-to-day, you’ll partner with Concept leaders across the brand, Product Design, Jordan Visioneering, Product Merchandising, General Managers, and Brand Marketing teams. You will serve as a central creative connector — aligning strategy, elevating narratives, and ensuring that concept direction translates with intention and clarity across the entire Jordan ecosystem. Your role is at the intersection of culture, athlete insight, product vision, and brand storytelling, bringing teams together to build worlds that move the brand forward.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Design or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training
At least 12 years of professional design experience across product, brand, agency, or marketing environments.
A deep passion for athletes, for sport, and for the cultural ecosystems that shape and inspire them.
Expertise across all aspects of visual design — from composition and identity systems to art direction and visual storytelling.
Proven experience developing creative strategy and narrative frameworks that translate insight into powerful direction.
Experience managing and developing creative talent as direct reports, with a leadership style grounded in clarity, trust, and accountability.
A strong portfolio showcasing world-building, inspirational storytelling, photo art direction, brand identity, and concept-driven design.
Excellent visual and verbal communication skills; confident in presenting, articulating, and defending creative ideas at all levels.
A forward-looking mindset with the ability to take bold, calculated creative risks that expand the brand’s potential.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining depth and creative excellence.
Ability to envision concepts that define the future of Jordan Design and articulate that vision in a way that unites and energizes partners across the organization.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage internal and external creative partners, guiding them toward aligned, high-quality execution.
Skill in managing expectations across different functions and acting as a central point of clarity in the concept development process.
Ability to orchestrate creative collaboration across a broad network of studios, disciplines, and contributors.
A resilient, adaptable mentality with the proven ability to respond to changing business needs without compromising creative integrity.
Sharp focus and the ability to work efficiently, decisively, and with discipline under pressure.
Strong interpersonal instincts and resourcefulness, with the ability to build cross-functional partnerships and foster a collaborative, open creative environment.
A highly developed sense of curiosity and a nuanced understanding of design culture, youth culture, and the cultural histories influencing them — past, present, and future.