NIKE, Inc

Lead Designer, Speed Apparel Color Design, Global Jordan

NIKE, Inc$95K — $115K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Design or equivalent experience
  • 4-6 years of color design experience in apparel or related fields
  • Advanced knowledge of color theory and application
  • Strong understanding of apparel design processes
  • Ability to develop original color concepts based on market insights
  • Experience creating color mood boards and specifications
  • Excellent communication skills for presenting to diverse audiences
  • Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams
  • Strong detail orientation with adaptability to changing priorities
  • Passion for sport, culture, and the Jordan consumer

Responsibilities

  • Develop unique color palettes and narratives for Jordan apparel
  • Apply color precisely across design concepts and line art
  • Research consumer behavior and market trends to inform design
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on product ideas
  • Create actionable creative briefs and presentations
  • Manage multiple projects while maintaining communication
  • Ensure high standards of quality in a fast-paced environment

Benefits

  • Exposure to a dynamic, multidisciplinary design environment
  • Opportunity to influence high-priority product directions
  • Collaboration with senior leadership and various teams
  • Potential for skill and career development through hands-on projects
  • Contribution to innovative products that resonate with consumers
Full Job Description

This role brings color design, creative problem-solving, and exceptional product craft to focused, high-priority opportunities across Jordan apparel.

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

You will report to the Senior Director, Speed Design, Global Jordan and collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary design team across apparel, footwear, color, materials, graphics, print, and digital design. You will also partner with Product Management, Merchandising, Color/Material/Trim Development, Technical Development, Innovation, and other cross-functional teams to turn opportunities into compelling product solutions.

WHAT YOU BRING
  • Bachelor's degree in Design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
  • Minimum 4-6 years of technically challenging color design experience, preferably within apparel, sport, footwear, or consumer product.
  • Advanced understanding of color theory, palette building, color mixing, compatibility, placement, and application across apparel collections.
  • Strong knowledge of apparel design and development processes, including materials, trims, graphics, print, and product construction.
  • Ability to translate consumer, cultural, sport, competitive, and marketplace insights into original color concepts and product stories.
  • Experience creating high-quality color mood boards, seasonal narratives, presentation tools, and detailed color specifications.
  • Strong visual, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to present creative direction to diverse and senior audiences.
  • Ability to identify the core creative problem, develop focused responses, work independently, and know when to engage or elevate partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines, influence without authority, and use internal and external resources effectively.
  • Comfort working across changing priorities, accelerated timelines, and new or undefined spaces while maintaining attention to detail.
  • A deep passion for sport, culture, design, and the Jordan consumer.

**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE SUBMIT A COLOR FOCUSED PORTFOLIO (PDF OR URL WITH PASSWORD PROVIDED IF APPLICABLE)

WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON

As the Lead Designer for Speed Apparel Color Design, you will create and execute color direction for focused opportunities that benefit from concentrated, cross-functional collaboration. The work may range from unlocking a high-impact product opportunity to exploring an emerging consumer or cultural signal, translating innovation into product, or testing a new creative approach.

  • Develop original color palettes, color narratives, and product-specific color solutions that connect to the Jordan consumer and strengthen the overall product expression.
  • Apply color across apparel line art and product concepts with precision, balancing storytelling, commercial relevance, and design intent.
  • Research and synthesize consumer behavior, cultural signals, sport insights, market trends, competitive products, materials, and color direction.
  • Partner with designers across disciplines to explore, make, test, learn, and refine ideas quickly while protecting product quality and craft.
  • Translate broad or ambiguous opportunities into clear creative briefs, visual direction, and actionable product recommendations.
  • Build compelling presentations, mood boards, prototypes, and storytelling tools that help teams evaluate possibilities and make informed decisions.
  • Collaborate with Product Management, Merchandising, Development, and Innovation partners to ensure creative solutions are relevant, feasible, and executable.
  • Contribute color expertise beyond a single category or project, sharing learning and helping strengthen future ways of working.
  • Manage multiple workstreams and communicate progress, decisions, risks, and required inputs with clarity.
  • Deliver exceptional product at pace. The speed of the process should never lower the standard of the outcome.

HOW YOU WILL SHOW UP
  • Collaborate first: seek diverse perspectives, understand what others bring, and prioritize the strongest collective outcome.
  • Lead with curiosity: ask questions, learn before judging, and remain open to new tools, methods, and points of view.
  • Debate constructively: challenge ideas directly and respectfully, surface concerns early, and help the team move toward clarity.
  • Commit together: once a direction is chosen, align behind it, support teammates, learn from outcomes, and keep moving.
  • Obsess craft: move with urgency while holding a high bar for detail, storytelling, and product excellence.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

Success means delivering distinctive, consumer-relevant color solutions; helping multidisciplinary teams reach clarity faster; turning insights and emerging possibilities into tangible product direction; and leaving behind useful learning that strengthens future work.

About NIKE, Inc

Nike is a sporting goods company that designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. The company offers various categories of shoes including running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired urban shoes, and kids' shoes. It also provides shoes for aquatic activities, baseball, football, cheerleading, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and various athletic and recreational uses. In addition, the company offers sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items. Further, it provides a line of performance equipment including bags, socks, sports balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and various equipment designed for sports activities under the NIKE brand name, as well as markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. Additionally, it offers licenses to produce and sell NIKE brand swimwear, children's apparel, training equipment, eyewear, electronic devices, and golf accessories. The company also markets its products under the brand names of Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Umbro, Jack Purcell, Cole Haan, Bragano, and Hurley. It sells its products to retail accounts through stores, independent distributors, and licensees, as well as through its Website, nikestore.com. As of May 31, 2009, Nike, Inc. operated 338 retail stores in the United States and 336 retail stores internationally. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Nike Careers

Join the dynamic world of Nike, Inc., a global leader in sports apparel and innovation, where your career can flourish in an environment that fosters diversity, leadership, and growth. At Nike, we believe in bringing out the best in our team members through continuous professional development and a culture that celebrates creativity and innovation. Work You’ll Do Become a part of Nike’s mission to inspire and innovate towards a better world. Engage in work that intersects with cutting-edge technology, market-leading strategies, and sustainable practices that define the future of the sports industry. Lead with us at the forefront of the global marketplace, where your skills in leadership, teamwork, and innovation can shine. Nike offers a unique position in the industry, combining deep industry expertise with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals who are pioneers in their fields. Nike, Inc. employs over 75,000 passionate and talented individuals worldwide, all dedicated to moving the world of sports forward. Introducing Nike’s Professional Growth and Development Opportunities We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can succeed. Nike offers a variety of job opportunities, from in-store retail positions to corporate roles in design, marketing, and technology. Do Innovative Work Join us and contribute to our mission of bringing inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.) Deliver targeted solutions and drive innovation through your unique perspective and skills. At Nike, Inc., your work directly contributes to our global impact. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in meaningful work that connects with consumers and impacts millions worldwide. Our team benefits from unparalleled capabilities, a commitment to diversity training, and a culture that encourages professional growth and networking. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with Nike’s comprehensive benefits and support systems. We provide extensive training, development programs, and leadership courses to help you reach your full potential. Explore Discover how Nike is leading in sustainable innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sports industry. The Nike Employment Experience Our combined efforts in innovation, culture, and leadership make Nike, Inc. not just a place to work, but a place to grow a rewarding career. Clients and employees alike look to Nike for new strategies and impactful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for curious, driven, creative, and solution-oriented team players. SEARCH NIKE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Nike, Inc.
Learn more about NIKE, Inc
Size
73,300 employees
Market Cap
$184.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.8 billion
Founded
1964
5 Year Trend
+6.3%
Revenue
$38.2 billion
NASDAQ

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