Former Nike executive lands senior role at Dick's after strategic job hunt

Tim Perks, a 58-year-old senior director of retail design at Nike, was part of a large layoff announced months earlier and officially cut in September 2024. Anticipating the change, he partnered with an executive career coach who helped him clarify his market value and polish his online presence. He systematically mapped his extensive Nike network, reaching out to former colleagues for informal conversations that eventually produced interview opportunities.

Within four months, he accepted a vice-presidential position in store design and planning at Dick's Sporting Goods, requiring him and his spouse to sell their Portland home and relocate to Pennsylvania. Throughout the process, he maintained confidence in his experience and refused to lower salary expectations despite being in his 50s. His story underscores the importance of proactive coaching, networking, and self-advocacy for senior professionals facing corporate downsizing.