Lead Designer, Sustainable Product Innovation. Job in Chicago LilyLifestyle Jobs

Nike is seeking a Lead Designer for Sustainable Product Innovation in Chicago. The role involves supporting Nike Re-Creation and requires expertise in product construction and a passion for sustainability. Responsibilities include collaborating with various teams to create upcycled products and managing direct reports. Candidates should have a degree in Apparel or Fashion Design, design experience, and strong skills in Adobe Illustrator and garment construction.
Join the Nike, Inc. Team

NIKE, Inc. is more than just a brand for the world's top athletes; it's a place where you can explore your potential, break barriers, and push the limits of creativity. We seek individuals who are ready to grow, think boldly, dream big, and create impactful work. Our culture celebrates diversity and imagination, welcoming achievers, leaders, and visionaries. At Nike, every person brings unique skills and passion to a challenging, ever-evolving landscape.

About Us

The CMTS Design Excellence team integrates Color, Materials, Trend, and Sustainability to shape the brand's creative strategies that define Nike as an industry leader. Our Sustainable Product Design Excellence team drives Nike's vision for sustainable product design across Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories.

Your Role

We are looking for a passionate Lead Designer for Sustainable Product Innovation to support Nike Re-Creation. This role is perfect for individuals with a profound love for product and expertise in product construction including draping, pattern making, and sewing. We seek an individual with a cutting-edge, elevated fashion perspective that merges streetwear, lifestyle, and sustainability.

Collaboration

In this position, you will collaborate with cross-disciplinary Design and Product teams, including materials, color, product innovation, as well as Development and Supply Chain teams. You will also engage with cross-functional Operations and Business partners to drive impactful projects that align with Nike's Sustainability strategy and 2030 sustainability targets. This role includes managing direct reports and reporting to the Director of Sustainable Product Future Design.

Your Contributions

You will reimagine products through creative transformations of dead stock into upcycled, impactful new items targeted at premier accounts whose customers appreciate innovative streetwear and sustainability.

What You Bring
• Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, or a related field
• 1-2 years experience in Mens and Womens Apparel Design
• Strong foundational design skills including draping, sewing, hand drawing/sketching, and illustrating
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, color theory, texture application, presentation development, and trend research
• Expertise in pattern making, CLO, Optitex, Browswear
• Experience creating tech packs for factory partners
• Thorough understanding of garment and textile construction
• Familiarity with fabric structures, especially knits and wovens
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for diverse audiences
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while juggling multiple projects
• A passion for analog making methods

We are committed to providing accommodations during our interview process to ensure accessibility for all candidates. If you need assistance or have a specific accommodation request, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.