Nike is hiring: Director, Brand Creative Art Direction - Global Basketball in Be

The Director, Brand Creative Art Direction at Nike is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary design team, collaborating with Creative Directors, and ensuring excellence across multiple projects. This role includes coaching designers, overseeing comprehensive creative outputs that reflect athlete stories and product innovations, and presenting work to senior-level stakeholders. Additionally, the Director plays a vital role in maintaining relationships with external talents and staying updated on emerging trends in sports and design.

To qualify for the Director, Brand Creative Art Direction position at Nike, candidates need a minimum of 8 years of graphic design and art direction experience, particularly in branded content or marketing. A Bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field is ideal, along with a solid portfolio that showcases leadership in digital and editorial design. Candidates should also possess strong interpersonal skills, a critical understanding of design culture, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams effectively.

The Director, Brand Creative Art Direction at Nike contributes to the company's goals by driving the brand's art direction and ensuring that creative projects align with Nike's vision and athlete-centric stories. By collaborating with various teams including Brand Voice and Digital Marketing, the Director ensures that all deliverables are not only visually captivating but also resonate with consumers on multiple platforms, thus enhancing brand loyalty and visibility within the basketball community.

The team environment for the Director, Brand Creative Art Direction at Nike is collaborative and dynamic, fostering creativity and innovation. The Director works alongside Creative Directors, designers, and various marketing departments to develop and execute projects in a supportive atmosphere that encourages input from all team members. This environment promotes mentorship and growth, allowing team members to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives to Nike's creative vision.

Key creative skills for the Director, Brand Creative Art Direction at Nike include a deep understanding of layout, typography, and illustration, as well as experience in digital and experience production. Having a strong portfolio that demonstrates innovative design thinking and an ability to stay current with design trends is crucial. Additionally, excellent verbal and visual communication skills are essential for presenting and defending creative work effectively to various stakeholders.

Certainly! When discussing my experience in leading a design team, I focus on specific examples where I've guided my team through challenging projects. I emphasize my approach to fostering a collaborative environment, encouraging creativity and growth, and providing mentorship to junior designers. Providing quantifiable results, such as successful campaigns or metrics of improvement, can also strengthen my response.

To ensure design concepts align with the Nike Basketball brand identity, I start by deeply understanding the brand's values, audience, and objectives. I consistently refer back to the brand guidelines and collaborate closely with the Brand Voice team to ensure that all creative outputs reflect the brand's spirit. Staying informed about industry trends and consumer insights helps me maintain relevance and innovation in my designs.

My approach to mentoring designers involves regular one-on-one feedback sessions where we address individual goals and challenges. I encourage open communication, allowing team members to voice their ideas and questions. Additionally, I provide constructive feedback that emphasizes growth while celebrating achievements, ensuring that my team feels supported and valued.

Handling tight deadlines requires a strategic approach. I prioritize tasks by determining which projects need immediate attention while delegating effectively among team members. I also emphasize the importance of setting realistic timelines and clear expectations from the start. Ensuring open communications about progress allows me to address any issues proactively, maintaining both quality and efficiency.

Absolutely! One memorable project I led was a launch campaign for a new sneaker line where we integrated various multimedia elements. My role involved coordinating with different teams to create a cohesive vision and product launch. By leveraging the expertise of our designers and external partners, we produced a stunning visual campaign that not only met but exceeded consumer engagement metrics, showcasing the strength of cohesive leadership in creative projects.

I approach collaboration with external partners by establishing clear communication and shared objectives from the outset of the project. I believe in building strong relationships based on mutual respect and open dialogue, which ensures that creative visions are aligned. Regular check-ins help maintain transparency and allow for adjustments as needed throughout the creative process.

To inspire creativity in my design team, I promote brainstorming sessions where all ideas are welcomed without judgment. I also encourage exploration of new trends and techniques by dedicating time for team members to research and present fresh insights. Additionally, exposing the team to external art and design events can invigorate their creative spirit and generate new ideas for our projects.

I stay updated on industry trends and technologies relevant to Nike Basketball by subscribing to design and sports publications, attending relevant workshops and conferences, and participating in online forums. Networking with fellow professionals in the industry also provides valuable insights into emerging practices that can influence our creative strategies. This ongoing learning enables me to identify opportunities for innovation within our projects.

Ensuring diversity and inclusion in my creative projects starts with building a diverse team with varying perspectives and backgrounds. I actively seek input from different voices during brainstorming sessions and project development. Additionally, I am conscious of representing diverse stories and experiences in our campaigns to resonate with a wider audience and reflect societal changes.

As an Art Director, my motivation stems from the drive to tell compelling stories through visual design. I find it incredibly rewarding to see how our creative work can connect with audiences and impact their perception of the brand. Additionally, mentoring and helping my team grow fuels my passion, as I believe great design comes from a cultivated and inspired team atmosphere.