Assistant Manager, Sketch Artist Partnerships

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Assistant Manager, Sketch Artist Partnerships

Company: Fanatics Collectibles

Location: Sunnyvale, TX, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Partnerships & Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-16

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-7 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic execution and development of artist initiatives within the collectibles space, focusing on program growth and operational efficiency.

• Manage the creation, negotiation, and execution of legally binding agreements for artist partnerships, ensuring compliance and optimal terms.

• Drive process improvement and automation efforts, leveraging scripting and database tools to enhance data integrity and scalability for artist operations.

• Serve as a critical liaison between licensors, artists, and internal departments (Product Development, Marketing, Legal, Operations) to ensure seamless program alignment and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges the gap between creative partnerships (artist management) and operational excellence, requiring a blend of negotiation, project management, and technical skills, particularly in automation. The emphasis on scripting and tools like Airtable and Formstack indicates a need for a candidate comfortable with data-driven operations and process optimization within a fast-paced, evolving collectibles market.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the creation, negotiation, and management of legally binding agreements for artist partnerships across various products, ensuring adherence to company policies and industry regulations.

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing artist engagement, recruitment, and retention across multiple entertainment brands within the Fanatics Collectibles portfolio.

• Collaborate closely with internal leadership to support and drive initiatives that optimize resource allocation and improve overall program performance and ROI.

• Take ownership of departmental budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and financial accountability across artist negotiations, procurement, and operational expenditures.

• Spearhead process improvement and automation projects to enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and data integrity across all artist-related operations.

• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of the artist database, utilizing automation tools such as Airtable and Formstack to improve data quality and operational scalability.

• Act as the primary point of contact and liaison between licensors, artists, and internal departments, including Product Development, Marketing, Legal, and Operations, to ensure alignment on program objectives and execution strategies.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, productive relationships with licensors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to drive quality standards and operational success.

• Represent Fanatics Collectibles at key industry events, trade shows, and conferences to attract top-tier artistic talent and expand the company's influence and network.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic partnership management and hands-on operational execution. The emphasis on budget ownership, process automation, and data integrity suggests the need for a candidate with a strong operational mindset, capable of not just managing relationships but also optimizing the underlying processes and systems that support them.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: 5-7 years of progressive experience in artist management, licensing, entertainment partnerships, or project management, specifically within the collectibles, entertainment, or sports industries.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated success in team management and talent development, with a proven ability to lead and mentor others.

• Exceptional negotiation skills with a track record of successfully securing and managing artist agreements and partnership terms.

• Strong project management capabilities, with the ability to effectively balance multiple priorities, manage timelines, and deliver results in a dynamic environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word) for reporting, analysis, and communication.

• Hands-on experience with database and workflow automation tools, specifically Airtable and Formstack, for data management and process optimization.

• Beginner-level scripting ability in Python, Java, or similar programming languages, essential for supporting automation and process improvement initiatives.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with a meticulous attention to detail in all interactions and documentation.

• A deep understanding of art fundamentals, including color theory, artistic mediums, style development, and composition principles.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in contract negotiation and legal agreement drafting within the entertainment or collectibles sector.

• Familiarity with CRM systems and their application in managing partner relationships and pipelines.

• Experience in budget management and financial accountability for partnership programs.

• Knowledge of data analytics and reporting tools to track program performance and identify areas for improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for beginner-level scripting in Python or Java is a significant differentiator for this role, signaling a move towards greater operational automation and data-driven decision-making in artist partnerships. Candidates should be prepared to showcase examples of how they've used or are willing to learn to use these skills to improve processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate successful management of artist partnerships, showcasing a portfolio of key collaborations and their impact.

• Provide examples of process optimization initiatives, detailing workflow improvements and efficiency gains achieved through strategic changes.

• Showcase experience with database management and automation tools (e.g., Airtable, Formstack), illustrating how these systems were leveraged for data integrity and operational scalability.

Process Documentation:

• Exhibit ability to design and document clear, scalable workflows for artist onboarding, engagement, and contract management.

• Present examples of implemented automation solutions that streamlined operational processes and reduced manual effort.

• Provide documentation or case studies on how processes were measured, analyzed, and iteratively improved to enhance performance and data accuracy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on automation and process improvement, a portfolio that includes workflow diagrams, automation scripts (or examples of their application), and data integrity case studies will be highly advantageous. The ability to articulate the "how" and "why" behind process changes, supported by quantifiable results, will be critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Assistant Manager roles in partnerships and operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area with 5-7 years of experience, a competitive salary range of $75,000 - $95,000 annually is estimated. This range accounts for the required experience, specialized skills (including scripting), and the unique demands of the collectibles and entertainment industry.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays, fostering work-life balance.

• Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training in scripting and advanced operations tools.

• Employee discounts on Fanatics Collectibles products and merchandise.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week of approximately 40 hours, with flexibility expected for managing artist schedules, critical deadlines, and industry events, which may occasionally require evening or weekend availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific compensation data for similar roles in Sunnyvale, TX, considering the specialized technical requirements (scripting) and the niche industry. Benefits are standard for a company of Fanatics' caliber, with a focus on professional growth relevant to operations and technical skill development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Sports Platform, Collectibles, E-commerce, Technology. Fanatics Collectibles operates at the forefront of the rapidly evolving collectibles market, integrating technology and digital strategies with traditional collecting. This dynamic environment requires agility and innovation.

Company Size: Part of Fanatics, a large, rapidly growing organization with over 22,000 employees globally. Fanatics Collectibles itself is a newer venture within this ecosystem, suggesting a blend of established corporate support with entrepreneurial drive.

Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995, with Fanatics Collectibles being a more recent strategic expansion to capitalize on the burgeoning digital and physical collectibles market.

Team Structure:

• The Artist Partnerships team is likely embedded within the broader Fanatics Collectibles operations or business development unit, comprising individuals with expertise in artist relations, licensing, and project management.

• Reporting structure will likely be to a Director or VP of Partnerships/Operations, with close collaboration across Product Development, Marketing, Legal, and Data Operations teams.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, utilizing analytics from artist performance, engagement metrics, and sales data to inform strategies.

• Agile project management methodologies are likely employed to adapt quickly to market trends and partner needs.

• Emphasis on process automation and continuous improvement to scale operations efficiently and maintain data integrity.

Company Website: https://www.fanaticsinc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Fanatics' scale provides significant resources and market reach, while the Collectibles division offers a startup-like environment with high growth potential. The culture likely balances a data-driven, process-oriented approach with the creative and relationship-centric demands of artist partnerships.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at the Assistant Manager level, indicating a significant step up from an individual contributor role. It requires leadership in executing strategic initiatives, managing budgets, and driving operational improvements, with a focus on a specialized area (artist partnerships).

Reporting Structure: The Assistant Manager will report to a senior leader within Fanatics Collectibles, such as a Director or VP of Partnerships or Operations. This provides exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making processes.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts revenue generation through successful artist collaborations and licensing deals. By optimizing artist operations and ensuring program scalability, the Assistant Manager contributes to the overall efficiency and profitability of the collectibles business unit.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance to a Manager or Director-level position within Artist Partnerships or a broader Operations/Business Development role within Fanatics Collectibles.

• Develop specialized expertise in licensing, contract negotiation, and entertainment industry partnerships, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Gain advanced technical skills in scripting and automation through hands-on application, opening doors to more technically focused operations roles or leadership positions.

• Expand professional network within the sports, entertainment, and collectibles industries through event representation and stakeholder engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of partnership management, operational responsibilities, and technical skill development (scripting) offers a unique growth trajectory. Success in this role could lead to leadership opportunities in specialized operations or strategic partnership functions within the rapidly expanding Fanatics ecosystem.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Sunnyvale, TX, suggesting a physical office environment typical of a tech-adjacent or corporate office setting. This typically includes collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and individual workstations.

Office Location(s): Sunnyvale, TX. This location provides access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a significant economic hub with a growing technology and business sector.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, requiring frequent interaction with internal teams (Product, Marketing, Legal, Operations) and external partners (artists, licensors, vendors).

• Access to relevant technology and tools, including robust IT infrastructure, standard office software, and specialized platforms like Airtable and Formstack, will be provided.

• Opportunities for team interaction will be present through regular team meetings, cross-functional project collaboration, and potential company events.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is the baseline, the nature of artist partnerships and the entertainment industry often requires flexibility. This may involve occasional work outside of standard business hours to accommodate artist availability, critical project deadlines, or industry events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Sunnyvale, TX, emphasizes the need for in-person collaboration and engagement. Candidates should be prepared for an office-based role that fosters team synergy and direct interaction with key stakeholders.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review applications to assess basic qualifications, experience, and alignment with role requirements, particularly focusing on artist management, licensing, or project management background.

• Hiring Manager Interview: This stage will delve deeper into your experience with artist partnerships, negotiation skills, understanding of the collectibles/entertainment industry, and your approach to process improvement and automation. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your career.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Given the requirement for scripting, expect a technical assessment or a detailed discussion about your experience with Python/Java and automation tools like Airtable/Formstack. You may be asked to walk through a past automation project or solve a hypothetical problem.

• Panel/Team Interview: You will likely meet with key stakeholders from Product Development, Marketing, Legal, or other operations teams. This assesses your cross-functional collaboration skills, communication style, and cultural fit within the broader Fanatics Collectibles organization.

• Final Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process Optimization: Showcase specific examples where you identified inefficiencies in artist management or licensing processes and implemented solutions, ideally involving automation or improved workflows. Quantify the impact (e.g., time saved, cost reduction, increased data accuracy).

• Demonstrate Negotiation Success: Include case studies that detail complex artist negotiations, outlining your strategy, key challenges, and the successful outcomes achieved (e.g., favorable terms, long-term partnerships).

• Showcase Technical Application: If possible, include examples of how you've used or would propose using scripting (Python/Java) or tools like Airtable/Formstack to improve data management, automate reporting, or streamline workflows. Even conceptual examples are valuable if direct experience is limited.

• Articulate Industry Knowledge: Clearly articulate your passion and understanding of the collectibles, film, comic book, and sports industries. Reference specific artists, trends, or market dynamics relevant to Fanatics Collectibles.

• Structured Presentation: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or impact area. Be ready to present key examples concisely and answer detailed questions about your contributions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Improvement Scenario: Be prepared for a scenario where you need to analyze an existing artist partnership process and propose improvements, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and data integrity.

• Automation Strategy: You might be asked to outline a strategy for automating a specific aspect of artist onboarding or contract tracking, detailing the tools and scripting approaches you would consider.

• Negotiation Simulation: A role-playing exercise simulating an artist negotiation could assess your communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on scripting and automation means candidates should prepare to discuss their technical aptitude and problem-solving approach in detail. A portfolio that clearly demonstrates quantifiable achievements in process improvement and partnership management, enhanced by technical skills, will significantly strengthen an application.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Airtable: Expected to be a core tool for managing the artist database, tracking agreements, project statuses, and performance metrics. Proficiency in creating complex bases, views, automations, and integrations is highly valuable.

• Formstack: Likely used for collecting artist applications, onboarding information, or feedback, requiring knowledge of form creation, conditional logic, and integration with other systems.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook): Essential for data analysis, reporting, presentations, communication, and contract management. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) may be required.

• Python/Java: Beginner-level scripting proficiency is required for supporting automation and process improvements. This suggests the role may involve simple script development or collaboration with developers on more complex automation tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Airtable's built-in reporting/dashboard features: For visualizing artist data and program performance.

• Excel: For more in-depth data analysis and custom reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as a primary tool, familiarity with CRM concepts and how they integrate with partnership management is beneficial.

• The role will likely involve using automation features within Airtable and Formstack, and potentially integrating them with other systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of Airtable, Formstack, and beginner-level scripting (Python/Java) indicates a strong focus on leveraging modern operational tools for efficiency and data management. Candidates should be ready to discuss their experience with these tools and their approach to implementing automation solutions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Decisions regarding artist recruitment, partnership terms, and operational strategies are expected to be informed by data and analytics.

• Efficiency & Scalability: A core value is optimizing processes to ensure operations can scale effectively as the business grows, with a strong emphasis on automation.

• Collaboration & Communication: Open communication and strong cross-functional teamwork are crucial for success in aligning diverse stakeholders (artists, licensors, internal departments).

• Innovation & Adaptability: The collectibles industry is dynamic; a willingness to embrace new technologies, explore creative solutions, and adapt to market changes is highly valued.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Maintaining high standards in negotiations, contract management, and relationship building is essential.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: Expect to actively engage with various internal departments to ensure artist initiatives are integrated seamlessly into product development, marketing, and legal processes.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on processes and partnerships to drive continuous improvement.

• Shared Ownership: Team members are encouraged to take ownership of their areas while contributing to the collective success of the artist partnership program.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely blends the structured, data-centric approach of operations with the relationship-focused demands of partnership management. Candidates should highlight their ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Needs with Operational Rigor: Effectively managing the expectations and creative output of artists while ensuring strict adherence to legal agreements, budgets, and operational processes.

• Scaling Operations in a Rapidly Growing Market: As Fanatics Collectibles expands, scaling artist recruitment, onboarding, and management processes efficiently will be a significant challenge.

• Navigating Complex Licensing Agreements: Ensuring compliance and optimizing terms within a web of licensors, artists, and internal stakeholders requires strong negotiation and legal understanding.

• Leveraging Automation Effectively: Implementing and maintaining automation solutions requires ongoing effort and adaptation to evolving business needs and technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Scripting & Automation: Opportunities to deepen scripting skills in Python/Java and explore more advanced automation techniques for complex operational challenges.

• Industry Expertise: Gaining deep knowledge of the collectibles market, artist relations, and licensing within the sports and entertainment sectors.

• Strategic Partnership Development: Developing strategic thinking and leadership skills in building and managing high-value partnerships.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Enhancing understanding of product development, marketing, legal, and finance functions through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a significant opportunity to tackle complex operational challenges in a high-growth industry. The learning curve for technical skills and industry-specific knowledge will be steep but rewarding, offering a strong foundation for future leadership roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Artist Partnership Strategy: "How would you approach developing a strategy to recruit and retain top-tier sketch artists for Fanatics Collectibles, considering our brand and market position?" (Prepare to discuss artist outreach, engagement tactics, and retention programs).

• Process Automation for Operations: "Describe a process you've automated or would propose automating in artist partnerships. What tools would you use, and what are the anticipated benefits and potential risks?" (Focus on Airtable, Formstack, Python/Java and quantifiable outcomes).

• Negotiation Tactics: "Walk me through a challenging artist or vendor negotiation you've led. What was your approach, and what were the key outcomes?" (Prepare a STAR method response highlighting your strategy and results).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Fanatics Collectibles Vision: "What excites you most about the future of Fanatics Collectibles, and how do you see artist partnerships contributing to that vision?" (Research company mission, recent news, and market trends).

• Collaboration Style: "How do you ensure effective collaboration with diverse teams like Legal, Product Development, and Marketing when managing artist initiatives?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional projects).

• Data-Driven Approach: "How do you use data to inform your decisions in managing partnerships and driving operational efficiency?" (Discuss metrics, reporting, and analytics you've utilized).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results (e.g., "Increased artist onboarding efficiency by 30% through Airtable automation," or "Secured partnership with 5 key artists, resulting in a 15% uplift in product line engagement").

• Highlight Technical Skills: Explicitly mention and demonstrate how you've used or would use tools like Airtable, Formstack, and scripting to achieve operational goals.

• Storytelling: Frame your experience as compelling narratives that showcase your problem-solving abilities, leadership, and strategic thinking.

• Tailor to Fanatics: Connect your past achievements and skills to the specific needs and goals of Fanatics Collectibles, showing you've done your research.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to articulate not just what you did, but how you did it, and why it mattered. The interview will likely assess your blend of creative partnership management and operational/technical execution capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Assistant Manager, Sketch Artist Partnerships position:

• Submit your application through the Fanatics Collectibles careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in artist management, contract negotiation, process improvement, and automation. Prepare to present these concisely, highlighting quantifiable results and your specific contributions.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords like "artist management," "licensing," "project management," "automation," "Airtable," "Formstack," "Python/Java scripting," and "contract negotiation." Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough and answers to common interview questions, focusing on articulating your process, methodology, and impact clearly and confidently. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational questions.

• Research Fanatics Collectibles: Understand the company's mission, its position in the collectibles market, recent initiatives, and its overall ecosystem within Fanatics. Familiarize yourself with key artists or product lines if possible.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.