Lead Apparel Designer

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

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, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

Nike Local Creation GC is one of Nike’s fastest product creation engines, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. Reporting into the Local Creation Design organization, this role focuses on creating inspiring products tailored to specific marketplaces and geographic audiences, capturing fast-moving trends and delivering regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed. The Local Creation team’s mission is to amplify and incubate new ideas while building on consumer favorites and serving local consumers with greater relevance and immediacy. We seek a candidate who embodies our values of authenticity, accountability, collaboration, and courage—someone eager to grow, challenge themselves, and work independently as a self-driven contributor.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Lead Apparel Designer, Jordan to join our dynamic, fast-paced design team. Based in Shanghai, China, this role will work closely with cross-functional partners across Design, Product Management, Development, Merchandising, and Marketing. The ideal candidate is a seasoned creative lead with broad apparel industry experience and the ability to design and execute products for our brands. They will create apparel products across a range of sport and lifestyle opportunities for Greater China consumers, working across multiple categories through a hyper-local lens. This designer has a strong eye for detail, a passion for and expertise in premium craft, and the ability to create highly covetable products that connect with Greater China consumers through authentic local narratives. They can operate independently, champion the brand vision, foster creativity within the team, navigate ambiguity, manage multiple timelines, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to bring ideas from concept through execution.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

This is an individual contributor role reporting to the Senior Manager, Apparel Design, Local Creation GC. You’ll collaborate closely with key functional partners throughout the product design process, including:

• GC Apparel and Footwear Design teammates across categories

• GC Product Management and Development teams

• GC Merchandising and Marketing partners

• Global Design counterparts and Nike Creative stakeholders

You’ll also engage with external vendors and suppliers to bring your designs to life, ensuring alignment with Nike’s brand standards and regional consumer expectations.

WHAT YOU BRING

Education:

A BA, BFA, MA, or MFA in Apparel Design or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Experience:

• 7 years of professional apparel design experience in the apparel or sports industry, with extensive expertise in materials, functionality, construction, and fit for apparel products.

• Clear understanding of apparel segments and consumer profiles across multiple dimensions; experience in the Greater China market is preferred.

• Comprehensive understanding of apparel materials, construction, fit, technical packages, and schematic development.

• Strong collection-building skills, with the ability to translate insights into authentic narratives and storytelling through color, silhouette, and key looks. Able to express concepts holistically and drive cohesion in product construction within a collection and across brands.

• Ability to lead, curate, and drive the design vision within assigned categories, partnering cross-functionally to align design expectations with key stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and adhere to timelines.

• Excellent visual and verbal presentation skills.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively and demonstrate leadership by fostering a positive, inclusive environment that supports shared creative goals.

• Sound decision-making abilities and strategic thinking skills.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D/AI rendering software, and Miro.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As the Lead Apparel Designer, Jordan, Local Creation GC, you will:

• Create apparel products that align with global creative direction, seasonal key concepts, gender strategies, franchise journeys, and geo assortments while connecting with Greater China consumers.

• Work closely with Product Management and Development to establish and manage seasonal new-creation toolboxes based on consumer insights, design direction, and product intent, while keeping margin targets in mind.

• Bring seasonal creative direction to life through market-relevant trends and insights across color, material functionality, Greater China–specific fit and proportion, and brand- and trend-relevant coordination of key looks and outfits. Build depth across the range through color and define the appropriate trend level for individual products to drive excitement and cohesion.

• Communicate design concepts effectively, collaborate in a fast-paced environment, and incorporate Greater China–relevant trends and solutions into seasonal products.

• Monitor prototype development and partner with Development to finalize production details, conduct fittings, and ensure execution excellence across multiple categories. 

• Partner with Product Management and Development to build trend-driven assortments, communicate design intent, review prototypes, and refine execution.

• Champion storytelling and articulate the “why” behind the work. Present concepts clearly to internal teams, leadership, and external partners, effectively communicating the rationale behind design decisions.

• Manage design deliverables and project timelines, planning and executing product details, reviewing samples, resolving feasibility issues, and ensuring timely project completion.

• Demonstrate strong trend mining skills with a deep connection to consumer and city trends, maintaining in-depth knowledge of Nike DNA.

#MYNEXT: Be Empowered to Grow within Nike and Create the Future

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.