Lead Designer, NSW Women's Concept Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead, NSW Women's Concept Design

Company: Nike

Location: Beaverton, Oregon, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Design Operations / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative vision and concept development for Nike's Women's Sportswear initiatives, translating insights into compelling narratives and immersive worlds.

• Drive innovation by blending athlete insights, product design, and storytelling to define future trends in sport and culture.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product design, consumer insights, merchandising, and brand marketing teams to ensure cohesive creative execution.

• Art direct photoshoots, create visual identities, and craft presentations that communicate visionary concepts effectively.

• Manage and influence creative teams and external partners to bring concepts to life with exceptional design craft and cultural relevance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Lead Designer," the responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate a role focused on the operational and strategic aspects of design concept development within a GTM (Go-To-Market) context, rather than pure individual design execution. This role bridges creative vision with strategic implementation, requiring strong project management and cross-functional leadership, aligning with GTM operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the creative vision for Nike's Women's Sportswear concept initiatives, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and athlete needs.

• Lead and contribute to brainstorming sessions, fostering an environment of innovation and idea generation for future product and brand narratives.

• Develop and present compelling concept presentations, visual identities, and storytelling frameworks to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Art direct photoshoots, graphic design, motion design, and spatial design elements to bring conceptual worlds to life.

• Collaborate closely with Consumer Insights to translate data and trends into actionable creative directions that resonate with target audiences.

• Partner with Merchandising and Product Design teams to ensure conceptual integrity translates into viable product lines and marketing campaigns.

• Manage external agencies and vendors to ensure high-quality execution of creative assets and concepts, adhering to brand guidelines and project timelines.

• Stay abreast of cultural trends, youth movements, emerging creative technologies, and design culture to infuse innovation into concept development.

• Drive a high standard of creative excellence, ensuring all conceptual work is impactful, inspiring, and aligned with Nike's brand positioning.

• Contribute to the development of operational processes for concept ideation, review, and execution within the Women's Sportswear division.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities suggest a need for strong project management and process orientation, crucial for GTM operations. The role requires not just creative ideation but also the strategic planning and execution oversight to bring those ideas to market successfully.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design (e.g., Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Visual Communication) or a related field. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and training will be considered.

Experience: 5+ years of professional design experience in environments such as product design, marketing, brand strategy, or agency settings, with a focus on concept development and creative direction.

Required Skills:

• Concept Design & Development: Proven ability to conceptualize and articulate innovative ideas that define future product and brand directions.

• Storytelling & Narrative Craft: Expertise in developing compelling narratives that connect athletes, innovation, culture, and community.

• Art Direction: Strong ability to guide visual aesthetics across various mediums including photography, graphic design, and motion graphics.

• Visual Identity Development: Skill in creating distinct and impactful visual systems that represent brand concepts.

• Graphic Design: Proficiency in creating impactful visual assets and brand collateral.

• Motion Design: Understanding and application of motion graphics to enhance storytelling and visual impact.

• Spatial Design: Ability to conceptualize and inform the design of physical or digital spaces that embody brand narratives.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency in core Adobe applications (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Figma: Demonstrated skill in using Figma for design collaboration and prototyping.

• Keynote: Advanced proficiency in Keynote for creating impactful presentations and visual narratives.

• Creative Leadership: Experience in leading design initiatives, guiding teams, and influencing stakeholders.

• Collaboration & Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with diverse cross-functional teams.

• Cultural Fluency: Deep understanding of design culture, youth movements, emerging creative technologies, and global trends.

Preferred Skills:

• 3D Design: Experience or familiarity with 3D design software and workflows.

• Miro: Proficiency with Miro or similar digital collaboration tools for ideation and workshop facilitation.

• Consumer Insights Integration: Ability to effectively translate consumer research and insights into design strategies.

• Project Management: Experience managing multiple design projects simultaneously, from concept to execution, within fast-paced environments.

• External Partner Management: Proven ability to effectively manage and guide external agencies and vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and Keynote, alongside preferred skills in 3D and Miro, points to a need for candidates who can leverage modern digital workflows for concept visualization and collaboration, crucial for efficient GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive creative design portfolio is mandatory for consideration.

• The portfolio must demonstrate exceptional storytelling capabilities, strong visual identity development, and a high level of design craft.

• Include examples of projects that showcase the ability to translate complex insights into clear, compelling creative directions.

• Showcase experience in art direction, motion graphics, graphic design, and spatial design applications.

• Provide website links or attach PDF files of your portfolio within the application. Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate an understanding of design process, from initial ideation and research through to final concept articulation and presentation.

• Showcase examples of how you have managed creative projects, highlighting your role in defining project scope, timelines, and deliverables.

• Demonstrate an ability to document and present design strategies, rationale, and outcomes clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, the portfolio is not just a showcase of past work but a demonstration of the candidate's ability to execute a structured design process, which is a core component of GTM operations. The ability to articulate this process and its outcomes is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Concept Designers with 5-10 years of experience in the Beaverton, Oregon area, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This estimate considers the specialized nature of concept design, leadership responsibilities, and the high cost of living in the Portland metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Employee discounts on Nike products.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Access to fitness facilities and wellness programs.

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

• Reasonable accommodations for the interview process, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible locations, and closed captioning.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and deliver on ambitious creative initiatives. The role is based on-site at Nike's Beaverton, Oregon headquarters.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of similar Lead Designer and Concept Design roles in the Portland/Beaverton area, factoring in the experience level and the reputation of a major employer like Nike. Benefits are typical for large, established corporations in the tech/apparel industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Athletic Footwear, Apparel, and Equipment. Nike is a global leader in the sports industry, known for its innovation, strong brand identity, and deep connection with athletes and culture.

Company Size: Nike is a large, multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This scale offers significant resources, global reach, and opportunities for impact.

Founded: 1964. Nike has a long-standing history of innovation and cultural influence, building a legacy of empowering athletes and shaping sports culture.

Team Structure:

• The Lead Concept Designer reports to the Women’s Sportswear Concept Design Director.

• This role involves close collaboration with Product Design, Consumer Insights, Merchandising, and Brand Marketing teams, indicating a highly integrated, cross-functional approach to GTM strategy.

• The team likely comprises specialists in various design disciplines, research, and brand strategy, all working towards a unified creative vision. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Creativity: The team leverages consumer insights and athlete feedback to inform creative directions, ensuring concepts are relevant and impactful.

• Storytelling & Narrative Development: A core methodology involves crafting immersive stories that connect product innovation with cultural relevance and athlete aspirations.

• Iterative Design Process: Concept development likely involves multiple stages of ideation, refinement, presentation, and feedback to ensure robust and visionary outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Success hinges on seamless collaboration and communication across various departments to ensure cohesive execution from concept to market.

Company Website: https://www.nike.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Nike's culture is deeply rooted in innovation, athlete-centricity, and pushing boundaries. For a concept design role, this translates to an environment that values bold ideas, deep cultural understanding, and the ability to translate visionary concepts into tangible experiences that resonate globally.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead-level position, indicating a significant level of responsibility and influence. It sits at a mid-to-senior career stage, requiring seasoned expertise in concept development, creative direction, and cross-functional leadership. The role is pivotal in shaping the future direction of Women's Sportswear concepts.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Concept Designer reports directly to the Women’s Sportswear Concept Design Director. This implies a clear line of leadership and mentorship, with opportunities to learn from senior strategic thinkers within the design organization.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial. By defining compelling creative visions and narratives, the Lead Concept Designer directly influences product desirability, brand perception, and consumer engagement. This role is critical in driving the go-to-market strategy for key Women's Sportswear initiatives, ultimately contributing to revenue growth and market leadership.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Director-level role within Concept Design or related creative leadership positions.

• Specialization Expansion: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design disciplines (e.g., motion, spatial) or expand into broader brand strategy roles.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into strategic roles within Merchandising, Brand Marketing, or Innovation teams, leveraging a deep understanding of creative strategy.

• Global Exposure: Opportunities to work on global campaigns and collaborate with international teams, broadening perspectives and impact.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Nike's extensive learning and development resources, including workshops, industry conferences, and internal training programs focused on design, technology, and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title signifies a management or senior individual contributor role with significant influence on operational GTM strategies. Growth opportunities are aligned with typical progression paths in creative operations and design leadership within large corporations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at Nike's World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, a state-of-the-art campus designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being. This is an on-site position.

Office Location(s): Nike World Headquarters, Beaverton, Oregon. This location is easily accessible within the Portland metropolitan area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The campus features numerous collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and informal gathering areas designed to encourage interaction and idea exchange among teams.

• Innovation Labs & Studios: Access to cutting-edge design studios, material labs, and prototyping facilities that support hands-on creative exploration.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Equipped with advanced design software, digital collaboration tools (like Miro), and presentation technology to support creative workflows.

• Inspiring Atmosphere: The environment is designed to be stimulating and inspiring, reflecting Nike's brand ethos and commitment to sport, creativity, and culture.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time, on-site role. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the demands of concept development and GTM launches may require flexibility and extended hours during peak periods to meet deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement at a world-class headquarters like Nike's suggests a highly collaborative and resource-rich environment, crucial for the operational execution of complex creative projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Submission: Candidates must submit a resume and a compelling design portfolio demonstrating relevant skills and experience.

• Screening: Recruiters will review applications and portfolios to assess alignment with the role's requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Women’s Sportswear Concept Design Director to evaluate creative vision, leadership potential, and strategic thinking.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product Design, Consumer Insights, Merchandising, and Brand Marketing to assess collaboration and integration capabilities.

• Creative Challenge/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a case study from their portfolio or complete a design challenge that demonstrates their approach to concept development, storytelling, and problem-solving.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit and overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in concept design, storytelling, visual identity, and art direction relevant to sportswear and culture.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. Focus on the narrative and strategic thinking behind the design.

• Demonstrate Process: Show your thought process – research, ideation, iteration, and refinement. Highlight how you translate insights into creative output.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., engagement metrics, successful product launches) or describe qualitative impact on brand perception or consumer connection.

• Tailor to Nike: Emphasize projects that align with Nike's brand values, athlete focus, and innovative spirit.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates proficiency in required tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Keynote) and preferred tools (3D, Miro).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Nike's Brand: Deeply research Nike's current campaigns, brand messaging, target audiences, and competitive landscape.

• Anticipate GTM Scenarios: Be prepared for challenges that involve defining concepts for new product categories, seasonal themes, or cultural moments relevant to women's sport.

• Focus on Strategy: Demonstrate not just creative execution but also strategic thinking – how your concept aligns with business objectives and consumer needs.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation skills, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and impactful storytelling. Be ready to articulate your rationale confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a holistic evaluation, combining creative talent with strategic thinking, collaboration skills, and operational understanding of bringing concepts to market, which is critical for GTM roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Expert): Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential for graphic design, image manipulation, and layout.

• Figma (Proficient): Crucial for collaborative design, prototyping, and UI/UX elements within concept development.

• Keynote (Advanced): The primary tool for creating compelling presentations, visual narratives, and stakeholder communications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to interpret and present insights from Consumer Insights reports is key. Familiarity with presentation of data and performance metrics is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design-focused role, but understanding how concepts translate into marketing campaigns that utilize CRM and automation tools is advantageous. Collaboration & Ideation Tools:

• Miro (Preferred): A valuable tool for remote and in-person brainstorming, workshop facilitation, and visual planning of concepts.

• 3D Design Software (Preferred): Experience with 3D modeling and rendering tools can enhance concept visualization, particularly for product form and environment design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified tools highlight a need for proficiency in digital design and presentation software, essential for creating and communicating concepts effectively within a modern GTM operational framework.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Athlete-Centricity: A fundamental value at Nike, ensuring all creative endeavors are rooted in understanding and serving athletes.

• Innovation & Disruption: A drive to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and pioneer new ideas in sport and culture.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across diverse teams to achieve shared goals and collective success.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Commitment to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to richer creative outcomes.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high standards in all aspects of design and execution, ensuring quality and impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The team operates through deep collaboration with Product, Insights, Merchandising, and Brand Marketing, requiring seamless communication and shared ownership of GTM initiatives.

• Open Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is encouraged to refine concepts and elevate creative quality.

• Shared Vision: A collective effort to align on and execute a unified creative vision that resonates with the brand and target audiences.

• Agile & Iterative: A willingness to adapt and iterate based on new information, insights, and evolving project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nike's core values are deeply integrated into its operational culture, shaping how teams collaborate and make decisions, especially in creative and GTM functions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Ambition to Reality: Balancing visionary concept design with the practicalities of product development, production timelines, and market feasibility.

• Navigating Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing expectations and aligning creative direction across multiple departments with potentially different priorities.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously identifying and integrating emerging cultural and technological shifts into concept development to maintain Nike's innovative edge.

• Maintaining Creative Consistency: Ensuring a high level of design craft and narrative coherence across various projects and platforms under tight deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Global Design Exposure: Opportunity to work on projects with international scope and learn from global design teams.

• Advanced Creative Workshops: Access to specialized training in areas like emerging technologies, sustainable design, and advanced storytelling techniques.

• Leadership Development Programs: Structured programs designed to hone leadership, strategic thinking, and team management skills.

• Industry Conferences & Trend Spotting: Support for attending key industry events and participating in trend research to stay at the forefront of design and culture.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior design leaders and to mentor junior designers, fostering personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are typical for a senior role in a dynamic, fast-paced creative industry, emphasizing continuous learning and strategic adaptation within GTM operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated complex consumer insights into a compelling creative concept for a new product or campaign. What was your process and the outcome?" (Focus on structured thinking, insight integration, and impact)

• "How would you approach developing a visual identity and narrative for a new women's sportswear initiative that aims to inspire a specific cultural movement?" (Demonstrate understanding of brand building, storytelling, and cultural relevance)

• "Walk us through your process for art directing a photoshoot or a motion graphics project. How do you ensure the final output aligns with the concept's vision?" (Highlight leadership, technical direction, and quality control) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does Nike's commitment to 'athlete storytelling' mean to you, and how would you bring that to life in your role?" (Showcase understanding of Nike's brand ethos and your ability to connect with it)

• "How do you stay current with emerging design trends, cultural movements, and creative technologies, and how do you integrate this knowledge into your work?" (Emphasize curiosity, continuous learning, and forward-thinking)

• "Describe your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams like product design, merchandising, and marketing. How do you ensure alignment and buy-in for your creative concepts?" (Focus on collaboration, communication, and GTM integration) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Present your portfolio not just as a collection of work, but as a strategic narrative of your capabilities. Group projects by theme, skill, or impact.

• Deep Dive on 1-2 Projects: For your most relevant projects, be prepared to go deep – discuss the brief, your role, challenges, creative process, tools used, and measurable outcomes.

• Showcase Your "Why": Articulate the strategic rationale behind your design decisions. Why did you choose this color palette? Why this narrative approach? What problem were you solving?

• Visual Storytelling: Use your presentation tool (Keynote) effectively to create a visually engaging and coherent story that mirrors the quality of your design work.

• Handle Q&A Confidently: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges, and how your work aligns with Nike's brand and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role focuses on demonstrating both creative vision and the operational acumen to execute that vision within a structured GTM environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Nike's careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your design portfolio to prominently feature projects that demonstrate your concept design, storytelling, visual identity, and art direction skills, particularly those relevant to sportswear, culture, or youth movements. Ensure it clearly showcases your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of relevant professional experience, emphasizing leadership roles, cross-functional collaboration, and achievements in concept development and creative execution. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach. Prepare case studies from your portfolio that best exemplify your capabilities and be ready to discuss your understanding of Nike's brand and the sportswear industry.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Nike's current initiatives, brand values, target audience for women's sportswear, and recent marketing campaigns. Understand their approach to innovation and cultural relevance.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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