Senior Manager, NFL & MLB Apparel Graphic Design

Nike • Beaverton, OR

10d

About The Position

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world's best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Nike, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game. The NFL Uniform Design Team creates the future of sport by exploring the intersection of the Gridiron, Community, and Culture through authentic, narrative-driven uniform design. This team brings inspiration and innovation to some of the world’s biggest athletes, on some of the biggest stages, to the most passionate fans all over the world. WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? We are looking for an exceptional Product Design Storyteller with proven design excellence, curiosity, problem solving tenacity, and a passion for making those around them better. This designer will play a key role in authoring powerful narratives that inspire athletes, franchises, and fans worldwide. They thrive in ambiguity, are driven by curiosity and lead with optimism. Their creative talent is equaled by their ability to think strategically and consciously champion ground-breaking thinking and the thinking of their teammates. They play a key role in the conceptualization, design, and development of uniform graphics and branding elements. These designers have an affinity for world-building and storytelling through uniform design, integrating narrative elements that resonate with fans and athletes. This designer also plays a key role in the mentoring and development of junior designers, fostering their growth and skills within the design team and Nike Design community. WHAT WILL YOU WORK ON? You will be responsible for the conceptualizing narratives across multiple NFL Uniforms and product spaces through Graphic Visual Centers and Presentations. If this is you, you’ll be working with Internal and External Product and Design partners aligning on construction, development, insights, and various presentation gates. A typical day/week consists of working closely with your Uniform Design teammates to ensure we’re creating the future of sport across the NFL. This can range from brainstorm sessions on creative strategies to meetings designed to review uniform designs are achieving the desired goal. WHO WILL YOU WORK WITH? You will work closely with the Design Director, Product Leadership, and External NFL Partners to help Nike create the future of narrative driven uniform design across the NFL. You will be reporting directly to the NFL Uniforms Design Director and will be working closely with cross functional partners internally as well as key collaborators externally across the NFL.

Requirements

• TO BE CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT A CREATIVE DESIGN PORTFOLIO. PLEASE PROVIDE WEBSITE LINKS OR ATTACH PDF FILES WHEN YOU APPLY.
• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years' experience of graphic design, preferably in product (footwear/apparel) creation or in an agency
• Well-curated portfolio showcasing a variety of projects that demonstrate a strong, effective methodology for research, inspiration, design development, problem solving, process, and final execution.
• Working directly with a diverse range of consumers/athletes
• Contribution to the initiation, development and implementation of in-depth research leading to product story-telling
• A positive attitude while working on projects with challenging briefs and through ambiguity to successful completion
• Prioritizing workload across short-term and long-range projects with varying levels of complexity
• Motivates and mentors designers and other teammates within project setting
• Demonstrates self-awareness, with ability to articulate their strengths, opportunities, and takeaways
• Well informed and stays connected to sport, cultural and graphic design trends
• Expert knowledge and ability of product design, including ideation, development, specification, and final execution of designs that balance innovation, performance, and style
• High Degree of proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is a must, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop is a plus
• Creatively agile and adept in innovative thinking, visioning and problem solving
• Expert narrative development and communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver project presentations to Senior leadership and External Partners
• A deep understanding of Typography, Color Theory, Brand Identity, and Design Principles
• Excelling communication and presentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
• Must have a passion for storytelling and the ability to translate narratives into compelling visual elements

Nice To Haves

• Competency in 3D design tools is a plus, but desire to learn and apply is a must

Responsibilities

• conceptualizing narratives across multiple NFL Uniforms and product spaces through Graphic Visual Centers and Presentations
• working with Internal and External Product and Design partners aligning on construction, development, insights, and various presentation gates
• working closely with Uniform Design teammates to ensure we’re creating the future of sport across the NFL
• brainstorm sessions on creative strategies
• meetings designed to review uniform designs are achieving the desired goal
• mentoring and development of junior designers

Benefits

• NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it.
• Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager