Director, Accessories Design, Licensing

Nike; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike Accessories is seeking a visionary Design Director to lead the Licensee Team, crafting a Design Toolkit and guiding seasonal design across global markets. You will shape product stories, partner with internal teams, and steer external partners to uphold Nike’s brand ethos and cultural relevance.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in brand/design leadership, deep knowledge of street fashion and culture, and a proven ability to elevate design through partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Design or related field; education/experience accepted as combination.
• 10+ years in brand design and concept design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of brand systems, cultural storytelling, and consumer-led design.
• Deep knowledge of street fashion, art, culture, and sports as design drivers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to influence across functions and cultures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design direction and seasonal design strategy for Nike Accessories licensee partners across global markets.
• Build seasonal narratives and end-in mind ideas to host product stories for consumers.
• Develop and deliver a Design Toolkit for internal teams and licensee partners to reflect Nike’s brand DNA.
• Translate Nike’s brand language into collections that blend street fashion, art, culture, and sports.
• Collaborate with internal design, merchandising and brand teams to ensure consistency across licensee work.
• Review and approve seasonal design proposals from licensees, providing actionable feedback.
• Drive innovation by identifying new materials, silhouettes and design solutions for the licensee portfolio.
• Identify new opportunities and partnerships to expand Nike’s reach in accessories.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing design team and cross-functional collaborators.

Skills

Brand storytelling

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

3D design tools

Job description

Who You Will Work With

As the Director of Accessories Design, Licensing, you will be part of the design leadership team reporting to our Accessories Senior Design Director. You and your peers are shaping the new chapter of Nike Accessories, serving the Athlete and consumer with industry leading product solutions, aspirational design and strong brand storytelling. Accessories Design is connected to all Sports of Nike Inc. You will be connecting with external license partners, seeking out new partnerships and building strong internal networks across all sports teams while driving product solutions, cultural relevance and brand right consistency with external license partners of the brand.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Design Director to lead the Licensee Team within Nike Accessories. This individual will be responsible for building a Design Toolkit for internal Sports Design teams and Licensee partners, ensuring alignment with Nike’s design ethos, brand standards, and cultural relevance. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of brand, concept and product design, and the ability to inspire and influence across diverse creative and business teams. You bring an entrepreneurial spirit to find and suggest new opportunities and partners, alongside a strong point of view, a passion for innovation, and a proven ability to elevate design excellence through partnership.

• Bachelor's Degree in Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• 10+ years of experience in brand design and concept design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of brand systems, cultural storytelling, and consumer-led design.
• Deep knowledge of street fashion, art, culture, and sports as design drivers.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills; ability to influence across functions and cultures.
• Experience managing external partners and navigating complex approval processes.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D design tools; strong visual and technical design skills.
• A portfolio that demonstrates creative excellence, strategic thinking, and leadership impact.

What You Will Work On

• Lead the design direction and seasonal design strategy for Nike Accessories licensee partners across multiple global markets.
• Build seasonal narratives, worlds and end-in mind ideas to host the product stories for our consumer.
• Develop and deliver a Design Toolkit that empowers internal Sports Design teams and external licensee partners to create work that reflects Nike’s brand DNA.
• Translate Nike’s brand and concept design language into compelling collections that integrate street fashion, art, culture, and sports.
• Partner closely with internal category design, merchandising, and brand teams to ensure consistency and authenticity across all licensee work.
• Review and approve seasonal design proposals from licensee partners, providing actionable feedback and creative guidance.
• Drive innovation by identifying new materials, silhouettes, and design solutions that elevate the licensee portfolio.
• Proactively identify new opportunities and partnerships that expand Nike’s reach and influence in the accessories space.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of designers and cross-functional collaborators.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.