Senior Director, BRS (Blue Ribbon Studio) Design Studio

Blue Ribbon Studio (BRS) serves as the central hub for engagement and development within Nike’s Design community. As both a physical makerspace and an education lab, BRS provides essential resources and programming that support the company’s more than 700 designers. The studio’s efforts are focused on three primary areas: creation, connection, and cultivation:

• Creation: BRS offers hands-on experiences and opportunities for designers to experiment, innovate, and bring ideas to life within a supportive environment.
• Connection: The studio encourages interaction and collaboration among designers, strengthening relationships and fostering a sense of community.
• Cultivation: Through skill-building classes and creative conversations, BRS helps designers grow professionally and personally.

The mission of Blue Ribbon Studio is to cultivate and encourage NIKE, Inc. designers by offering a diverse range of opportunities, including hands-on activities, engaging discussions, and targeted skill development programs. At NIKE, design is viewed as more than just the act of creating products; it is a vital way to connect with athletes and cultures around the world. BRS also supports the advancement of NIKE’s Purpose initiatives and the NikeUNITED Networks. By aligning with these broader company goals, the studio not only benefits individual designers but also contributes to Nike’s overall mission.

Who we are looking for

The Senior Director of Design Community & Culture is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of creative organizations and the ecosystems that allow them to thrive. You are equal parts strategist, connector, and culture-builder, with the ability to inspire teams, develop and educate talent, strengthen belonging, and create programs that empower designers to do their best work. You thrive in complex, global environments and know how to translate vision into scalable systems that elevate creativity and community.

What you will work on

As Senior Director, you will be responsible for designing and leading initiatives that define and strengthen Nike’s design culture. You will:

• Create a vision and strategy to connect and inspire our creative community, through internal and external high impact programs that empower designers to do their best work at Nike.
• Build the overall vision and Strategy of our internal Nike design team engagement and events, like Design Annual and quarterly Cafe Meetings, and lead the execution of the events along with the BRS Design Studio team. 
• Champion Design Culture: Define, nurture, and evolve Nike Design’s culture, ensuring it is inclusive, inspiring, and aligned with Nike’s Design Vision and Values.
• Build Community: Develop programs, events, and platforms that connect Nike’s global design teams, fostering collaboration, development and education, inspiration, and shared identity, internally and externally.
• Lead Storytelling & Recognition: Partner with internal/external teams to showcase design excellence, celebrate creative achievements, and share the stories of our people.
• Advance Talent Development: Collaborate with HR, DEI, and Design leadership to shape career pathways, mentorship programs, and initiatives that support growth and belonging.
• Drive Global Creative Engagement: Create opportunities for designers to connect with external creative disciplines and sport communities to
• Partner with Design/Innovation/Product Business Integration leaders to embed best in class creative making (digital & craft) practices into design processes, ensuring impact for product excellence.
• Serve as a design thought leader, identifying trends and fostering creative exploration that positions Nike at the forefront of design and culture globally.
• Oversee BRS studio operations including resourcing, workflow, and prioritization of projects.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and project scopes in collaboration with project managers and production leads.

Who you will work with

You will report to the VP of Design Studio and closely connect to the Chief Design Officer who leads all aspects of the Design at Nike across the enterprise.

You will collaborate closely with senior leaders across Design, HR, DEI, Communications, and Nike’s broader creative functions and also external partners. You’ll also lead a team of community and culture specialists dedicated to delivering experiences that inspire and engage.

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What you will bring

• Bachelor's degree in Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training

• At least 10+ years of experience in design, creative operations, communit