Director, Studio and Digital Ops

Posted:
10/9/2024, 5:00:00 PM

Location(s):
Los Angeles, California, United States ⋅ California, United States

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Operations & Logistics

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $146,400.00 in our lowest geographic market to $346,200.00 in our highest geographic market. Actual salary will vary based on a candidate's location, qualifications, skills and experience.

Information about benefits can be found here.
 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Nike’s Global Brand Marketing department is looking for a recognized leader in the creative production industry to lead operations of its state-of-the-art digital imaging studios (ICON.Studios) in North America. This is a rare opportunity for a uniquely qualified and elite-level candidate to take part in the delivery of Nikes digital retail program. The team, systems, and processes you build and support will have a directly visible impact on the public face of one of the world’s most coveted and recognizable brands. The exceptional candidate will be distinguished by combining deep expertise in the creative demands of the photo and video industry with a proven track record as both a studio operations lead and a technical production expert in a highly dynamic digital commerce marketplace. A first-hand knowledge of supporting apparel and footwear imaging businesses at massive scale is essential. Unflappable under pressure, you keep cool on seasonal peak deadlines, because you’ve managed large teams through dozens of them before.

Balancing brand savvy and lean studio operations skills, you know how to partner with the other divisional leaders of Nike INC. to continually expand and lead a variety of premium services to offer internal teams, enabling teams to deliver content that is premium, scalable, and unmistakably Nike.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

  • The Director of Studio & Digital Operations will develop and execute a comprehensive global photo studio strategy in alignment with the company's overarching marketing objectives.

  • Lead / support cross-functional collaboration efforts to synchronize photo studio activities with product launches, marketing initiatives, and other business endeavors, ensuring cohesive and impactful visual storytelling support.

  • Drive strategic decision-making by providing insightful recommendations based on data-driven analyses and industry benchmarks, positioning the photo studio as a key contributor to the company's competitive advantage.

  • Cultivate a high-performing and cohesive team of digital techs, photo equipment, and studio operation professionals through effective leadership, mentorship, and talent development initiatives building a world-class service-oriented team.

  • Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, encouraging experimentation and exploration of new techniques, technologies, and creative approaches.

  • Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued, resulting in a more dynamic and inclusive creative process.

  • Design and implement streamlined photo production support workflows that optimize resource allocation, minimize bottlenecks, and maximize efficiency without compromising on quality.

  • Responsible for documentation, training, governance, and enforcement of best Studio Operations practices.

  • Spearhead the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and automation tools to enhance workflow efficiency.

  • Continuously evaluate and refine best practices for digital image techs.

  • Establish and uphold uncompromising standards of operations, conducting regular audits and performance reviews to ensure adherence to brand guidelines and industry benchmarks.

  • Champion a culture of excellence and attention to detail within the team, instilling a mindset of continuous improvement and a commitment to delivering exceptional visual experiences.

  • Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies in e-commerce photography, proactively identifying opportunities to leverage innovative tools and platforms to enhance productivity, creativity, and efficiency.

  • Collaborate with IT and other relevant stakeholders to evaluate, select, and integrate digital asset management (DAM) systems and other technological solutions that align with the unique needs and objectives of the studio.

  • Drive the seamless integration of systems and platforms to facilitate the efficient management, organization, and distribution of visual assets across studio teams.

  • Lead the strategic implementation and optimization of digital asset management (DAM) systems, ensuring the efficient organization, retrieval, and utilization of the company's vast library of visual assets. Collaborate with IT and other departments to evaluate and select platform solutions that support the evolving needs of the global organization, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and interoperability

  • Support and grow Icon Studios impact across the company, leveraging internal tools, resources, & relationships to widen icon studios impact.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

Your primary, daily interactions will be with the studio team you lead at the ICON. Studios itself (Los Angles + Portland). More broadly, the Studio Ops team will work across the entire Nike enterprise, engaging teams within Marketing, Finance, Legal and HR at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon (USA).

WHAT YOU BRING

  • 8+ years of Ecommerce Photo Studio / Digital Operations experience; successfully delivering results in a studio and digital operation capacity.

  • Experience working with facility infrastructure needs to deliver photo and video content.

  • Excellent photo equipment and digital tech experience

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Must be driven and passionate about the Nike Brand

  • Experience partnering cross-functionally in creating a new, efficient and scalable photography studios

  • Experience consulting on the requirements development for systems & tools strategy to support asset management, freelance booking (digital techs, photo assistants) and equipment tracking

  • Intermediate Airtable experience

  • Flexible and able to work as needed, including the occasional weekend, to meet peak demands. 

  • Enthusiastic, positive energy and able to work well under pressure. 

  • Strong critical thinking skills and results oriented with a bias for action.