Senior Manager Design, Brand Concepts

Nike•Boston, MA

2d•$139,700 - $294,100

About The Position

The Converse Global Concepts team exists as the connective tissue between innovation, design, brand storytelling, and marketplace experiences. Brand Concepts is the anchor point for our products, stories, experiences, and moments—built to inspire Creators and embrace subcultures. We ensure Converse’s long-term vision is expressed through compelling narratives, world building, and deeply grounded cultural fluency. Working upstream, we translate emerging cultural signals, creator insights, and consumer behaviors into visionary product direction, brand stories, and environmental concepts—with the end consumer experience in mind. Our team spans a broad range of creative capabilities across brand touchpoints and anchors upstream creative strategy to drive aligned, end-to-end excellence across product creation, merchandising, brand creative, and retail.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive, technically sophisticated design experience in experiential, environmental, industrial design, or brand creative—with demonstrated impact elevating brand excellence
Bachelor’s degree in architecture, industrial design, environmental design, graphic design, communications design, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education and experience and training.
Experience managing creative teams (both internal and external) with proven ability to lead, motivate and mentor designers, fostering creative excellence and professional growth
Strong understanding of the competitive fashion, streetwear, and lifestyle brand landscape, with an ability to identify and translate cultural insights into differentiated concepts, product opportunities and narratives
A well-curated portfolio showcasing a strong methodology across research, inspiration, development, process, and final execution
A self-starting creative mindset demonstrated through an effective methodology for research, active seeker of new inspiration, a hunger for problem solving, and fearless appetite to create the future
A strong creative lead with refined taste and point of view, able to set clear direction for the concept/design team and know when to push, refine, or edit to deliver high-quality outcomes.
Effectively steps in as a proxy for the Sr. Director to represent the Brand Concept team’s creative vision and priorities
The ability to remain curious, motivated, and optimistic while navigating ambiguity and adapting to change.
Ability to show concepts through 3D modeling and rendering; proficiency in SketchUp, Rhino, Cinema 4D, Blender, or similar
Capability and willingness to jump into the hands-on work through making, building, prototyping, room-buildouts, visual merchandising, etc
High proficiency in 2D design + presentation tools (Keynote, Adobe Creative Suite, Miro, Figma)
Expert craft with materials palettes and environmental toolkits
Strong narrative development and communication skills; ability to present to leadership and external partners using creative presentation styles that win alignment and investment
Proven ability to work independently and across small/large groups on complex projects in a fast-evolving environment
Positive, inclusive, team-first mindset—embracing diverse points of view while fostering an environment of belonging
An unmistakable passion for the Converse Brand and the authentic connection points to music, art, fashion, sport and culture

Responsibilities

Lead a small team responsible for driving the design and creative execution for Global Brand Concepts across each season.
Work closely with Product, Design, Brand Experience, Brand Creative, Marketing, and Merchandising partners to create and elevate Converse Concepts and Brand stories with the final consumer experience in mind.
Collaborate with internal and external consumer insights and future-focused strategy teams.
Frequently partner with agencies and external creatives to bring these concepts to life.
Shape a sharp point of view across product, storytelling and experiences from insights, to seasonal kick-off, to final Product and Concept Reviews through creative presentations, room buildouts, multi-media and future finding.
Lead cross-functional brainstorms that help shape our consumer insights and strategic priorities into future concepts.
Translate cultural signals and consumer/creator insights into concept narratives and future visions.
Build and visualize “brand worlds” across product, graphics, storytelling, and experiences.
Manage the teams resources and scheduling across creative projects and multi-season work.
Present direction and seek alignment from cross-functional and senior leaders.
Develop concept explorations across 2D (decks, narratives, graphic systems) and 3D (spaces, environments, objects).
Create high-craft presentations that articulate intent, tell a compelling story, and drive cross-functional alignment.
Lead brainstorm sessions with cross-functional teams to ensure concepts are feasible, on-brief, and on-time.
Lead and partner with agencies/external creatives to expand capability and scale creative output.
Prototype and build models/environments to create excitement and clarity around future ideas.