Lead Designer - Footwear & Apparel Materials Design

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $108,500.00 in our lowest geographic market to $220,400.00 in our highest geographic market. Actual salary will vary based on a candidate's location, qualifications, skills and experience.

Information about benefits can be found here.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Lead Designer, Materials Design for NikeSKIMS to combine their experience in material design & creative problem solving to build the future of the NIKESKIMS within Footwear and Apparel. The ideal candidate elevates the Nike consumer product experience with a focus on both the art & science of materials while bringing a distinct POV to the role. In this role, you will influence and drive an emotional connection to footwear & Apparel through the use of narrative and storytelling.

This designer will be an active and proficient participant in the creative process and have excellent cross-functional communication skills, presenting design concepts to internal and external audiences and setting expectations for creative execution and timeliness of deliverables.

**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE YOU MUST SUBMIT A RELEVANT PORTFOLIO BY EITHER ATTACHING A PDF TO THIS APPLICATION OR PROVIDING WEBSITE URL ON THE RESUME (PLEASE PROVIDE THE PASSWORD IF REQUIRED TO VIEW YOUR WORK)

WHAT YOU BRING

Bachelor’s degree in design or will accept any equivalent combination education, experience, or training.

EXPERIENCE:

• • Minimum 5 years of progressively technically challenging design experience, in product or materials preferred
  • Understanding of color trends, strategy, achievability, and material placement and performance
  • Knowledge of product design and development process within footwear and apparel
  • Strong visual and verbal presentation skills; able to effectively show and communicate design intent to internal and external audiences.
  • Demonstrate ability to lead a team and manage multiple projects and timelines at once
  • Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a diverse group
  • Ability to network, influence and utilize internal and external resources
  • Ability to articulate how color & materials can affect product and sales
  • Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, and development from concept through commercialization.
  • Familiarity with apparel construction, garment development, material applications, and product creation.
  • Understanding of knit structures, seamless technologies, yarns, fabrication techniques, and material innovation across footwear and apparel.
  • Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, seasonal timelines, priorities, and deliverables.
  • Strong attention to detail 
  • Strong storytelling and presentation skills, translating research, consumer insights, material exploration, and design concepts into compelling narratives.
  • Proactive self-starter who works independently, anticipates project needs, and takes ownership.
  • Creative problem solver who can identify opportunities and navigate design and development challenges.
  • Strong cross-functional communicator who collaborates effectively with design, development, product teams, and vendors.
  • Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.
  • Experience working with collaborators.

We are looking for someone that can comfortably navigate ambiguity and help define new spaces that connect with the Sportswear and Athleisure. The Lead Designer will be an expert creative problem solver who excels in a fast-paced environment and has experience managing others.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

If this is you, you will manage a dynamic materials design team to create narrative-driven concepts. This will require driving product excellence through the connection of design, development, marketing, and manufacturing. Through research and deep consumer understanding, you and your team will explore the edges of material design, fashion, art, and sports-related products. You will help identify project deliverables and communicate expectations in a timely manner for your team.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

On a day-to-day basis you will be reporting to the senior manager in addition to working with product line managers, tech and material developers, and product designers.  .

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.