📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Professional, Brand Creative, Retail, GC
🔹 Company: Nike
🔹 Location: Shanghai, China Mainland
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Brand & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: May 23, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting and developing consumer-led retail concepts and the evolution of Nike's retail business.
- Creating impactful and scalable design solutions for immersive retail environments and experiences.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative retail concepts that reflect Nike's brand standards.
- Staying tapped into the pulse of future design trends and applying this thinking to retail experiences.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and collaboration to create innovative retail experiences that engage consumers and align with Nike's brand strategies.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Supporting the Design Director in creating seasonal and long-term vision, strategic and tactical direction, and design continuity.
✅ Supporting a design process focused on exploring color, materiality, texture, spacing, proportion, scale, and use of the environment.
✅ Ensuring project goals and priorities align with Nike's retail brand and business strategies.
✅ Constantly seeking new and innovative ways to tell stories through graphics, styling, lighting, sculpture, photography, video, animation, and more.
✅ Developing presentation materials that effectively communicate design concepts to all levels of leadership and partners.
✅ Collaborating with producers, design counterparts, internal partners, and external partners to ensure the feasibility of designs and functional needs are met.
✅ Actively gaining knowledge and contributing to the development of Nike's brand standards, design ethos, products, and processes.
✅ Contributing to education and inspiration, sharing knowledge and exposure to current and future trends influencing the innovation of consumer experiences and technology.
✅ Collaborating across project teams and the Retail Design org.
✅ Fostering innovative thinking, collaboration, and teamwork.
✅ Understanding design processes to ensure results, timelines, and budgets are met.
✅ Traveling 10-20% of the time.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of design processes, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in graphic design, architecture, industrial design, environmental design, or a related field.
Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of progressive, technically sophisticated design experience in architectural design, experiential design, or brand design.
Required Skills:
- Proven strength in operating in a design studio and delivering progressively complex projects of varying scales, budgets, and timelines.
- Demonstrated ability to apply design skills including concepting, ideation, drawing/sketching, typography, color theory, texture, spatial design in scale, visual presentation development, and space planning layouts.
- Strong knowledge of current trends in color, graphic design, art, photography, architecture, and experience design, and their application to the sport industry.
- Strong knowledge of production design, fabrication, materiality, and emerging manufacturing trends.
- Strategic thinking and ability to connect the dots across multiple approaches and outputs.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Proven ability to manage ambiguity and create compelling solutions when the way forward is not always clear.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple and competing work priorities, demands, and changes.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with a highly developed ability to cultivate relationships in an open, positive, and inclusive environment.
- A sense of humor, positivity, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Demonstrated expertise using computer design applications including SketchUp, Figma, Keynote, and Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with motion graphics and video-editing is a plus.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with emerging technology in retail environments.
- Fluency in Mandarin Chinese.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing their work and relevant experience in retail or brand design are highly desirable for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on experience level and industry standards for senior-level design roles in the retail sector, the estimated salary range for this position is ¥400,000 - ¥600,000 per year.
Benefits:
- Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
- Retirement savings plans with company matching.
- Generous vacation and time-off policies.
- Employee discounts on Nike products.
- Opportunities for professional development and growth.
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard office hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM) and occasional overtime as needed.
ASSUMPTION: Nike offers competitive compensation and benefits packages for employees at all levels, with salary ranges based on experience, skills, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Nike operates in the footwear manufacturing industry, with a strong focus on sports, fitness, and lifestyle apparel. The company is a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, with a presence in over 170 countries worldwide.
Company Size: Nike is a large corporation with over 10,000 employees globally. This size allows for diverse career opportunities and resources for professional growth.
Founded: Nike was founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, initially focusing on track shoes. The company has since expanded its product range and grown into a multinational corporation.
Company Description:
- Nike is committed to redefining the future of sport through a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability.
- The company invests in innovative materials, reduces waste in manufacturing processes, embraces circular design, and implements energy-efficient practices.
- Nike is dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint, responsible water management, and promoting transparency and accountability in its sustainability efforts.
Company Specialties:
- Footwear manufacturing
- Sports apparel and equipment
- Retail and e-commerce
- Sustainability and innovation
Company Website: Nike.com
ASSUMPTION: Nike's commitment to sustainability and innovation makes it an attractive employer for candidates seeking to work for a company that prioritizes environmental responsibility and cutting-edge design.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior professional level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in brand creative and retail design.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Professional, Brand Creative, Retail, GC will report directly to the Design Director and collaborate with various internal and external teams to deliver innovative retail concepts.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with occasional travel required (10-20% of the time).
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a leadership or management role within the Retail Design org.
- Expansion into other areas of Nike's design or creative teams.
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with industry-leading professionals.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for candidates looking to advance their careers in retail design and gain experience working for a global brand.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Nike's Shanghai office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.
Office Location(s): Nike GC HQ, Shanghai, China Mainland
Geographic Context:
- Shanghai is a major commercial and financial hub in China, offering a vibrant cultural scene, diverse dining options, and numerous entertainment venues.
- The city is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to international airports.
- Shanghai's climate is humid subtropical, with mild winters and hot, humid summers.
Work Schedule: Standard office hours with occasional overtime as needed to meet project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: Shanghai offers a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission and resume screening.
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager.
- In-person or virtual interview with the Design Director and other team members.
- Portfolio presentation and case study discussion.
- Final interview with senior leadership.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio presentation.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Communication and collaboration skills.
- Cultural fit and alignment with Nike's values.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design work, with a focus on retail or brand creative projects.
- Research Nike's brand, values, and recent projects to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company.
ATS Keywords: Story Design, Creative Solutions, Collaboration, Design Strategy, Environmental Graphic Design, Digital Design, Project Management, Communication Skills, Attention to Detail, Emerging Technology, Presentation Development, Trend Analysis, Interpersonal Skills, Portfolio Development, Software Proficiency, Innovative Thinking
ASSUMPTION: Nike's interview process is designed to assess candidates' design skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the company's creative teams.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- SketchUp
- Figma
- Keynote
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Motion graphics and video-editing software (e.g., After Effects, Premiere Pro)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in design software is essential for this role, with a preference for candidates experienced in SketchUp, Figma, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Act with Integrity
- Be Inclusive
- Encourage Authenticity
- Push the Limits
- Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Innovative and forward-thinking
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Nike's values in your daily work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you pushed the limits of your creativity to deliver innovative design solutions?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork in a dynamic, fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: Nike values candidates who align with their core values and can thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and fast-paced work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously with varying deadlines and priorities.
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with frequent changes and new opportunities.
- Balancing creative vision with practical constraints, such as budget, timeline, and feasibility.
- Working effectively in a global organization with diverse teams and stakeholders.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to working in a senior-level design role for a global brand, requiring strong project management skills, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior-level design roles, this position offers a unique focus on retail and brand creative, with the opportunity to work on high-profile projects for a global brand.
- Industry-specific context: The footwear manufacturing industry is competitive and fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on innovation and creativity.
- Career path comparison: This role offers growth potential for candidates looking to advance their careers in retail design and gain experience working for a global brand.
ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited for candidates with relevant experience in retail or brand design, seeking to work for a global brand and advance their careers in the footwear manufacturing industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Conceptualizing and designing an immersive retail experience for a new Nike store launch.
- Developing a comprehensive design strategy for a seasonal retail campaign, including environmental graphics, fixtures, materials, and digital elements.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create innovative in-store technology solutions that enhance the consumer experience.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and opportunities available to the Senior Professional, Brand Creative, Retail, GC, showcasing the role's focus on innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the Design Director's leadership style and how they support the growth and development of their team members?
- How does the Retail Design org collaborate with other departments, such as Brand, Retail Brand, Brand Design, and Digital, to deliver integrated retail experiences?
- What opportunities exist for professional development and growth within the Retail Design org and Nike more broadly?
- How does Nike approach sustainability and innovation in its retail design strategies, and what role would I play in driving these initiatives forward?
- Can you provide an example of a recent retail design project that pushed the boundaries of traditional retail experiences and drove meaningful business results?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the company culture, growth opportunities, and strategic focus of the role, helping candidates make informed decisions about their fit with the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your passion for retail design and alignment with Nike's brand and values.
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your design work, with a focus on retail or brand creative projects that demonstrate your creativity, strategic thinking, and technical proficiency.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
