About this opportunity
Original employer descriptionBecome 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 driving and extending consumer favorites, serving local consumers with products that offer 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 act independently as a self-driven leader.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for a Senior Manager, Apparel Graphic Design to join our dynamic and fast-paced design team. Based in Shanghai, China, this role will work closely with cross-functional partners across Design, Product Management, Product Development, Merchandising, and Marketing. The ideal candidate is a seasoned creative leader with broad apparel industry experience and the ability to lead a team of designers in developing and executing multiple creative expressions across our brand. They will drive graphic expression excellence across Greater China Sport and Lifestyle business opportunities and lead the execution of multiple categories through a hyper-local lens for our target consumers. This leader has a strong eye for detail, deep 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, bring the brand vision to life, nurture creativity within the team, navigate ambiguity, manage multiple timelines, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to take ideas from concept through execution.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This is a people leadership role reporting to the Director, Apparel Design, Local Creation GC. In this role, you will partner closely with cross-functional teammates throughout the product creation process to deliver innovative, consumer-right product solutions for the Greater China marketplace.
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 Graphic Design or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Experience:
8+ years of professional graphic design experience in the apparel or sportswear industry, with extensive expertise in graphic creation, application, and execution for apparel products.
Experience in creative leadership and people management, with a strong understanding of apparel consumer segments and profiles across multiple dimensions, preferably in the Greater China market.
Comprehensive understanding of apparel materials, garment construction, tech packs, and schematic development.
Strong ability to translate consumer insights into authentic narratives and compelling visual storytelling. Ability to develop concepts from a holistic point of view and drive cohesion across graphics, color, silhouettes, key looks, and overall product expression within collections and across the brand.
Ability to lead, curate, and drive a clear design vision across categories while collaborating effectively with cross-functional partners and aligning expectations with key stakeholders. Strong decision-making skills with the ability to guide and manage teams throughout the design process.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver quality work within established timelines.
Excellent visual, verbal, and presentation skills.
Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams.
Proven leadership capabilities and a collaborative mindset, fostering an inclusive environment that enables teams to achieve shared creative goals.
Strong strategic thinking and sound decision-making skills.
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, AI-enabled design tools, 3D visualization software, and Miro.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
As the Senior Manager, Apparel Graphic Design, Local Creation GC, you will:
Create product expressions that align with global creative direction, seasonal concepts, gender strategies, franchise journeys, geo assortments, and the unique needs of the Greater China consumer.
Lead and develop a team of apparel graphic designers, fostering creativity, strengthening collaboration, and driving excellence in cross-functional communication.
Build an emotional connection with consumers through graphic design, authentic narratives, and compelling storytelling. Bring seasonal creative direction to life through market-relevant trends, insights, and culturally relevant graphic expressions tailored to Greater China consumers.
Communicate design concepts effectively while collaborating in a fast-paced, close-to-market environment. Make informed design and graphic application decisions with agility while balancing costing objectives and business needs.
Partner with Product Development throughout the prototyping process to refine graphic execution, finalize production details, and develop trims and graphic applications that support seasonal stories and product intent.
Work closely with Product Management and Development teams to build trend-relevant assortments, communicate design intent, review prototypes, and continuously refine product execution.
Champion storytelling and clearly articulate the “why” behind the work. Present concepts effectively to internal teams, leaders, and external partners, ensuring purpose-driven design decisions.
Manage design deliverables and project timelines, including graphic development, sample reviews, execution refinements, and resolution of production feasibility challenges.
Demonstrate strong consumer curiosity and trend forecasting capabilities, maintaining a deep connection to city culture, emerging trends, and Nike's design ethos while translating insights into commercially relevant product solutions.
#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.
