The 52-year-old spent 15 years at St James' Park, first as head of youth recruitment before being promoted to head of recruitment in 2017, and had previously worked for 12 years in a similar role at Blackburn Rovers.
He arrives at the Racecourse Ground in a newly created role, reporting to chief executive Michael Williamson while working closely with first-team manager Phil Parkinson and the club's wider football staff.
Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have continued to invest heavily in Wrexham's off-field infrastructure as they push for a fourth successive promotion since taking charge, and Nickson's arrival is seen as another significant step in that process.
"I am very excited to be joining Wrexham AFC as Sporting Director," Nickson said. "This is a Club with incredible momentum, a unique culture and a clear ambition. The journey so far has been remarkable, with three consecutive promotions and a seventh-place finish in the Club's first season back in the second tier.
"I am looking forward to working closely with Phil Parkinson, the coaching staff and the wider sporting team to continue developing the Club's recruitment, scouting and football operations. There is already a strong foundation in place, and my focus will be on helping Wrexham take the next step by building the structure, talent pathways and football operations needed to support the Club's ambition of reaching the Premier League."
Williamson welcomed the appointment, highlighting the scale of Nickson's experience.
"As the Club continues to grow, it is essential that we keep strengthening the football infrastructure required to support that growth. Recruitment, scouting, player development, performance and football operations are all critical areas as we look to build a Club capable of competing sustainably at higher levels," the chief executive said.
"Steve brings significant experience from the Premier League and wider football industry, and he understands what is required to identify and recruit talent in a highly competitive environment. He will work closely with Phil Parkinson and the football staff, while also helping us build out the wider sporting capabilities of the Club. We believe Steve is the right person to help lead this next phase of development, and I am confident he will fit well with Wrexham's unique culture, values and ambitions."
Newcastle United confirmed Nickson's departure last week, with his exit following a period of uncertainty over the direction of the club's recruitment strategy during 2026. He was widely credited within the industry for his role in identifying transfer targets during his time at St James' Park, including Newcastle's pursuit of forward Yoane Wissa a year earlier.