Senior Principal, Athlete Future Lab

Nike•Beaverton, OR

About The Position

The newly formed Athlete Future Lab explores the future edges of sport through radical imagination and rigorous investigation. This team exists to harness the evolving forces shaping sport and athletes – defining future areas of opportunity and translating them into actionable next steps to take Nike, Inc. to the next level. Combining elements of strategic foresight, ethnographic research, creative and product leadership, as well as business intelligence, this is a team of big thinkers that thrive on looking around corners to unearth what’s next. Athlete Future Lab work spans across Nike, Jordan, and Converse brands as well as nested sub-brands, focusing on tangible opportunities for the Innovation, Design, and Product organization. If you have a body, you’re an athlete. WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH Our Sr. Principal will work closely with the other members of the Athlete Future Lab, as well as with Innovation, Design, and Product teammates across the company. You will need to be knowledgeable and influential across other groups and teams within Nike as well as bring a network of external thought leaders, creative luminaries, and trusted partners. You will report in to the VP, Athlete Future Lab. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are looking for an experienced creative foresight leader at the Sr. Principal level to join the Athlete Future Lab. You must be inquisitive, collaborative, comfortable navigating uncertainty and leading in an ambiguous environment, and must always be looking for opportunities that define what could be versus what is. This role requires an ability to speak to a variety of audiences and seniority levels, balancing inspiration with an understanding of business reality. You must have experience defining future-oriented product, business, or creative opportunities, navigating a complex organization, and an interest in collaboration and mentorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Strategy, Research, Foresight, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
10+ years professional experience in design, human-centered research, strategic foresight, or product innovation.
A passion for the Athlete, Sport and Culture.
Highly developed curiosity and in-depth understanding of how to investigate the future, conduct ethnographic research, synthesize opportunities areas, and galvanize a creative team.
Ability to envision and articulate product or business opportunities that will define the future of Nike, and translate those opportunities into actionable next steps.
Ability to communicate this vision to all partners, including senior leadership, to fuel their energy and realize the vision.
Ability to take calculated risks to lead the brand into new territories through an entrepreneurial mindset.
Laser-sharp focus to work quickly and efficiently under pressure.
Ability to work both independently and in small groups effectively.
Ability to work on multiple projects at all times and orchestrate collaboration across creative teams.
Expertise in synthesizing complexity into compelling, simple, human-centered narratives.
A positive mentality with proven ability to flex and adapt to changing business needs while maintaining creative quality.
Excellent verbal and visual communication skills; adept at presenting and defending work, recommendations, and creative ideas.
Experience managing and/or mentoring other creatives.
Bias towards action: ability to drive accountability and manage difficult conversations with the team.
Ability to lead and manage external/internal creative partners.
Ability to manage expectations across different functions, become a central point of contact for insight, foresight, and innovation recommendation delivery.
Strong interpersonal resourcefulness with the ability to cultivate cross-functional partnerships and an open, positive and collaborative environment.
Set a leadership example in managing through change with clarity, vision, and support.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic foresight projects to identify drivers of change and associated short and long term opportunities.
Conduct primary and secondary research and synthesize insights into compelling narratives.
Collaborate with Innovation, Design, and Product teams to translate strategic vision into actionable next steps for Nike, Inc..
Present future-focused recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional partners.
Collaborate with and inspire creative teams, fostering a culture of curiosity and bold thinking.
Build and maintain relationships with external thought leaders and creative partners.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring clarity and alignment across teams.

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