Lead, Kids Design Operations

In Global Kids Design, we create game-changing innovation & performance footwear and apparel to serve athletes* at every level. Our mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. We serve KIDS.

As our Lead, Kids Design Operations, you will be an integral part of the Kids Design Operations team; helping to drive clarity, collaborative and streamlined ways of working that unlock world-class creativity across the design team.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

This role reports directly to the Kids Design Operations Sr. Manager and will support a team of Design Directors and Designers. While working closely with the Kids Design team, you will also partner with Operations counterparts, Kids business leaders, and functions across the entire product creation matrix at all levels.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking to fill this role with an exceptional, forward thinking, operations minded talent who is motivated by complex and highly cross-functional projects!

This role is best suited for a self-starter who is a strategic problem solver with great organizational and exceptional communication skills, and who is comfortable and has capacity to navigate ambiguity to build complex processes in a fast-past environment. 

They will act as the hub between various design functions, along with apparel and footwear product partners to ensure the Kids Design Studio runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Their dedication to develop trusted working relationship across teams and levels, to lead with confidence and conviction, and to respect and listen to the expertise and voices surrounding you to objectively drive conversations forward, will be critical to their success.

They aren’t afraid to ask questions, and they demonstrate their understanding of how our design teams work to propose improved workflows, with the designer experience at the center. They will provide the energy, focus and organizational horsepower to drive process excellence and enable Nike design to have creative space and focus while designing for the Kids consumer.

The ideal candidate will lead with a digital and collaborative approach.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• 5 years’ experience in operations, project management, strategy, design, or relevant industry.
• Knowledge of product creation processes + design thinking in footwear or apparel (strongly preferred).
• Experience working with creative teams in a studio/agency environment (preferred).
• Strong communication + presentation skills; able to influence across multiple functions and levels.
• Passion for process excellence + simplification; unlocking innovation, collaboration, and improved ways of working.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical thinking skills.
• Self-directed and comfortable working in ambiguous environments.
• Ability to handle multiple workstreams and balance competing priorities under seasonal timelines.
• Strong interpersonal, consensus-building skills, with ability to advocate and achieve results.
• Proficient in Keynote, PowerPoint, Miro, and Airtable (preferred).
• Experience with, or knowledge of creative digital tools (preferred).

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

The Lead, Kids Design Operations will support the Consumer Footwear Create & Express and Branded Partnerships design process.

If this is you, you will work with Kids Design Leadership and cross-functional partners to successfully move the seasonal design work forward, ensure designers have the right tools at the right time, and understand what designers need to work more efficiently and effectively.

You will manage seasonal design calendars; leading process creation and optimization for design-owned workstreams, while partnering closely with the Kids Operations team to execute key product for the world’s biggest sport moments.

On any given day, you will conduct workshops or meetings to gather insights and help define clear expectations, tools, and processes that drive creative collaboration across footwear and Branded Partnership design teams.

They will own or consult for the following:

• Own Consumer Design calendar, communication, and process adjustments across Footwear Performance and Lifestyle and Branded Partnerships. Goal is to ensure adherence to deadlines and deliverables both for design teams and for downstream and upstream partners
• Partners with Directors and Designers on various seasonal planning efforts, including creative direction planning, staff meeting engagement, and x-functional leadership collaboration.
• Consults in scheduling, standardizing, and optimizing design specific micro-processes or sprints in service of c