Graphic Designer II (12 Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II (12 Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Company: Fanatics

Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Design (Apparel Graphics)

Date Posted: 2026-06-15

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive original graphic concept development for apparel, focusing on translating market trends and consumer insights into compelling designs.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Design, Merchandising, and Production Art, to ensure brand consistency and production readiness.

• Execute and refine designs across multiple styles and formats, utilizing advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for apparel, headwear, and jersey categories.

• Manage the adaptation and finalization of graphics for international markets, ensuring alignment with licensing requirements and partner approvals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month fixed-term contract, emphasizing the need for immediate impact and efficient project delivery within a defined timeframe. The focus on "original graphic concept development" and "consumer-focused approach" indicates a strategic design role rather than purely execution-based.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the creative ideation and original graphic concept development for apparel, headwear, and jersey products, ensuring alignment with brand identity and strategic vision.

• Conduct thorough trend and market research, analyzing consumer behavior and market dynamics to inform design direction and ensure product relevance.

• Translate research insights and creative concepts into production-ready graphics, understanding the full production process from concept to print.

• Manage the adaptation and rollout of graphics for international markets, including requesting art, finalizing licensing sheets, and setting up artwork for submission.

• Execute decoration changes, including size and technique adjustments, requiring revision and reposting of updated vendor files while maintaining aesthetic integrity.

• Build out technical graphics and detailed templates to support innovative machines and process changes, ensuring specific template attributes are defined for replication.

• Collaborate with the Licensing Team to build licensing sheets and related work for partner approvals, ensuring accurate data calls on art files and systems.

• Support Design Managers/Leads by replicating apparel design templates with minimal supervision, adhering to league or branded needs.

• Assist Production Art and Design teams with art setup for vendor/supplier art files in various formats (AI, PDF, PSD, PNG), accurately identifying conflicting data on art files and systems.

• Maintain the aesthetic integrity of replicated fonts and detailed graphics for licensed partners, ensuring brand consistency across all deliverables.

• Perform color matching for products across multiple categories, ensuring visual consistency and accuracy.

• Assist with flex assignments and various ad-hoc tasks as needed by Design Managers/Leads.

• Maintain organized records, documents, archives of images, photos, and previous work products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design, market analysis, technical production readiness, and international market adaptation, indicating a comprehensive role within the apparel graphics lifecycle. The emphasis on "production-ready graphics" and "understanding the full production process" suggests a need for practical application of design skills beyond mere aesthetics.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associates degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and 3-5 years of relevant work experience in Apparel, Licensing, or Sports.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on apparel, licensing, or sports-related industries.

Required Skills:

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Functional computer skills with familiarity in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in design execution.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.

• Familiarity with the Pantone Matching System for accurate color selection.

• Strong understanding of fonts, typefaces, and the ability to cross-reference, match, and replicate them.

• Experience in graphic and font replication to maintain aesthetic integrity for licensed businesses.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and deliver results.

• Ability to work effectively both collaboratively within a team and independently. Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated understanding of apparel embellishment techniques and their application.

• A passion for sports and familiarity with sports culture.

• Experience managing international market adaptations for graphics.

• Knowledge of production art workflows and file preparation for manufacturing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "intermediate to advanced level experience with Adobe Creative Suite" combined with a specific mention of "apparel embellishment knowledge" and "Pantone Matching System" points towards a hands-on design role with a practical understanding of manufacturing constraints. The emphasis on "graphic and font replication" is crucial for maintaining brand consistency with licensed partners.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a wide range of graphic design skills and abilities, with a strong emphasis on apparel graphics and licensed products.

• Include examples of original concept ideation and how market research/consumer insights were translated into final designs.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop through complex design executions, including typography and color matching.

• Present case studies of designs that were production-ready, detailing considerations for various application types (print, embroidery, etc.).

• Highlight experience with graphic replication and maintaining brand aesthetic consistency for licensed partners. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how design workflows were managed, from initial concept to final deliverable, particularly for international market adaptations.

• Showcase understanding of production art processes, including file preparation, color separation, and collaboration with production teams.

• Illustrate experience in managing and updating vendor files and technical graphics for manufacturing processes.

• Demonstrate ability to document design specifications, including color matching and font details, for partner approval submissions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on production-readiness and collaboration with production art, the portfolio should clearly demonstrate the candidate's ability to deliver technically sound designs that are ready for manufacturing. Evidence of managing international adaptations and ensuring brand consistency for licensed partners will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer II role with 2-5 years of experience in Manchester, UK, the estimated annual salary range is between £30,000 and £45,000. This estimate considers the fixed-term contract nature, the specific skill set required (Adobe Suite, apparel graphics, licensing), and the company's position in the sports merchandise industry.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package tailored to the UK market, to be discussed during the interview process.

• Opportunity to work with a leading global sports merchandise company.

• Exposure to high-profile sports licenses and product lines.

• Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a focus on fan experience.

• Professional development opportunities within a growing organization.

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a fixed-term contract, the benefits package may differ from permanent roles. The salary range is a broad estimate for a Graphic Designer II in Manchester, UK, and actual compensation will depend on experience, qualifications, and the specific terms of the contract. The role is explicitly stated as hybrid, suggesting a balance between remote work and office presence.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Merchandise & E-commerce. Fanatics operates at the intersection of sports, retail, and technology, providing a comprehensive platform for licensed fan gear. This industry context means a fast-paced, trend-driven environment with a strong emphasis on consumer engagement and rapid product cycles.

Company Size: Large (likely 5,000+ employees globally, based on typical Fanatics operations). This size suggests structured processes, opportunities for specialization, and potential for cross-departmental collaboration, but also requires adaptability within larger organizational frameworks.

Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995, indicating a well-established company with significant experience and market presence in the sports licensing and e-commerce space. This history provides stability and a deep understanding of the industry.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer II will be part of the Creative or Design team, likely reporting to a Design Manager or Lead.

• This team collaborates closely with Product Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Production Art, the Imaging Team, and Operations.

• The structure emphasizes cross-functional partnerships to bring designs from concept to market effectively. Methodology:

• Data-driven design approach, informed by trend research, market analysis, and consumer insights.

• Agile and iterative design processes to meet tight deadlines and adapt to evolving market demands.

• Collaborative methodology, fostering idea sharing and feedback exchange across departments to ensure cohesive product lines.

• Focus on production efficiency and technical accuracy to ensure designs are manufacturable globally.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Fanatics' culture is described as BOLD (Build Championship Teams, Obsessed with Fans, Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, Determined and Relentless Mindset). This implies a high-energy, results-oriented environment where initiative and a strong work ethic are valued. The emphasis on "Obsessed with Fans" suggests a deep understanding and connection to the target audience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Graphic Designer II, indicating an intermediate level. It requires more than just execution; it involves concept ideation, trend research, and contributing to design direction with some supervision. It's a step beyond entry-level design and a foundation for senior or specialized design roles.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer II likely reports to a Design Manager or Lead, who provides oversight and guidance. Collaboration will occur with peers in design, production art, merchandising, and product development.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts the visual appeal and marketability of Fanatics' licensed sports merchandise. Successful designs contribute to fan engagement, product sales, and the overall brand perception of Fanatics and its partner leagues/teams. The ability to translate trends into sellable graphics is a key impact area.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in specific sports licenses, product categories (e.g., performance apparel, lifestyle wear), or design techniques.

• Senior Designer Roles: Progress to a Graphic Designer III or Senior Graphic Designer position, taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, and mentoring junior designers.

• Management Track: With proven leadership and project management skills, potentially move into a Design Lead or Manager role.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Leverage design knowledge to transition into roles within Merchandising, Product Development, or Production Art Management.

• Skill Expansion: Gain deeper knowledge in areas like apparel embellishment, color science, or international design compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a 12-month fixed-term contract, the immediate growth opportunities might be project-focused rather than a direct path to permanent advancement. However, demonstrating strong performance and adaptability could lead to contract extensions or consideration for future permanent roles within Fanatics. The emphasis on "limitless entrepreneurial spirit" suggests opportunities to take initiative and expand responsibilities beyond the core job description.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a blend of remote work and in-office presence, likely involving regular days in the Manchester office for collaborative sessions, team meetings, and access to specific resources.

Office Location(s): 3 Upper Kirby Street, Manchester, M4 6FN, United Kingdom. This location places the office in a central Manchester area, likely with good transport links and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction between design, production, and merchandising teams.

• Access to necessary design software and potentially physical resources like fabric swatches or product samples.

• A dynamic environment characterized by fast-paced project cycles and tight deadlines, requiring efficient workflow management.

• Opportunities for informal knowledge sharing and problem-solving with colleagues due to the hybrid nature and team proximity.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are around 40 per week. While the role is full-time, the hybrid model allows for some flexibility in managing work hours, balancing in-office and remote days to optimize productivity and personal needs, while ensuring project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model at a large company like Fanatics typically involves structured office days for key collaborative activities. Candidates should be prepared to commute to the Manchester office regularly and maintain productivity both on-site and remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on required qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review: A crucial step where candidates present their professional portfolio, showcasing relevant apparel graphics, concept development, and technical skills. Expect to discuss the rationale behind design choices, the creative process, and how challenges were overcome.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potentially a design challenge or a practical exercise using Adobe Creative Suite to assess real-time design capabilities, problem-solving, and understanding of production requirements.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interview: Discussion focused on experience, cultural fit, understanding of Fanatics' BOLD principles, and how the candidate will contribute to the team's goals. Questions may delve into trend research methodologies and collaboration styles.

• Final Interview (if applicable): May involve senior leadership or cross-functional stakeholders to assess overall fit and strategic contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize apparel graphics, licensed products, and work demonstrating concept ideation and trend integration.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your role, the research (market, consumer, trend), your design process, the tools used, the challenges faced, and the final outcome/impact.

• Highlight Production Readiness: Showcase designs that demonstrate an understanding of print techniques, color matching, typography, and file preparation for manufacturing.

• Demonstrate Brand Consistency: Include examples where you maintained or adapted existing brand aesthetics for licensed partners.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, how you stay updated on trends, and how you handle feedback and revisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with Fanatics' Brand: Understand their product lines, target audience, and the sports they represent.

• Practice Design Challenges: Work through hypothetical briefs for sports apparel graphics, focusing on speed, creativity, and technical execution.

• Brush up on Adobe Suite: Ensure you can efficiently use Illustrator and Photoshop for graphic design, including vectorization, typography, and color manipulation.

• Understand Production Constraints: Be prepared to discuss how design choices are influenced by printing methods, materials, and cost.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Graphic Designer II" title and emphasis on original concept development suggest that the portfolio review will heavily weigh creative thinking and strategic application of design skills, not just technical execution. Demonstrating an understanding of the sports licensing business and consumer insights will be key differentiators.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Adobe Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos, typography) and Adobe Photoshop (for raster image manipulation, mockups, texture application).

• Pantone Matching System (PMS): Essential for accurate color selection and communication with production teams and vendors.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for a graphic designer, an understanding of how design performance is measured (e.g., sales data related to specific graphics) would be beneficial.

• Familiarity with tools used for trend forecasting and market research might be advantageous. CRM & Automation:

• MS Office Suite: Essential for functional computer skills, including Outlook for communication, Word for documentation, Excel for data tracking (e.g., managing design assets, tracking approvals), and PowerPoint for presentations to stakeholders and partners.

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira may be beneficial for managing design workflows and deadlines within a hybrid team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements are heavily weighted towards Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for graphic creation and manipulation, alongside practical knowledge of the Pantone system for color accuracy in production. MS Office is listed as functional, indicating its use for communication and documentation rather than core design tasks.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Obsessed with Fans: A core value driving the need for designs that resonate deeply with sports enthusiasts, understanding their passion and preferences.

• Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encourages initiative, proactivity, and a willingness to explore new creative avenues and solutions.

• Determined and Relentless Mindset: Fosters perseverance through challenges, dedication to meeting deadlines, and a commitment to high-quality output.

• Build Championship Teams: Emphasizes collaboration, mutual support, and working together towards shared goals for collective success.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designs are developed and refined in close partnership with Merchandising, Product Development, and Production Art teams, requiring strong communication and understanding of each department's needs.

• Feedback & Iteration: An open environment for constructive feedback and iterative design improvements to ensure final products meet strategic and production requirements.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing insights on trends, design techniques, and production best practices to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The BOLD Leadership principles are central to Fanatics' culture. Candidates should be able to articulate how their work and approach align with these values, particularly "Obsessed with Fans" and "Determined and Relentless Mindset," given the role's focus on creative output under pressure.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Fast-Paced Environment: Rapid product cycles and tight deadlines require efficient workflow management and the ability to produce high-quality work under pressure.

• Balancing Creativity with Production: Ensuring original, trend-forward designs are also technically feasible, cost-effective, and production-ready for global manufacturing.

• International Market Adaptation: Managing graphics for different regions, considering cultural nuances, licensing requirements, and production variations.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Upholding the aesthetic integrity of numerous licensed partners while introducing fresh design concepts.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Trend Forecasting & Market Analysis: Deepen understanding of emerging trends in sports, fashion, and graphic design through ongoing research and internal resources.

• Apparel Embellishment & Production Techniques: Gain practical knowledge of various printing methods, materials, and manufacturing processes to inform design decisions.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Learn about merchandising strategies, product development cycles, and production art workflows to become a more holistic designer.

• Advanced Software Skills: Opportunity to master advanced features within Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software relevant to the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a high-volume, international sports merchandise business. Candidates should demonstrate an awareness of these challenges and highlight how their skills and experience have prepared them to navigate them effectively. The growth opportunities are geared towards expanding technical and strategic expertise within the apparel graphics domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing original apparel graphics from concept to final production-ready artwork, referencing a specific project." (Focus on research, ideation, execution, and production considerations.)

• "How do you ensure your designs align with brand guidelines and meet the aesthetic requirements of licensed partners, especially when introducing new concepts?" (Highlight experience with brand consistency, replication, and stakeholder communication.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to adapt designs for an international market or a specific production constraint. What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, adaptability, and understanding of global production.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Fanatics' BOLD Leadership principles resonate with your work style and career aspirations?" (Prepare examples linking your behaviors to "Obsessed with Fans," "Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit," etc.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with teams like Merchandising or Production Art, where different priorities might exist?" (Showcase communication skills, empathy, and a solutions-oriented approach.)

• "What excites you about working in the sports merchandise industry, and specifically with Fanatics?" (Express genuine interest in the brand, sports, and fan culture.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant projects. For each, clearly state the objective, your process, and the outcome.

• Quantify Success: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your designs (e.g., "this design was part of a collection that exceeded sales targets by X%").

• Explain Technical Decisions: Be ready to discuss why you chose specific colors, fonts, or application methods, linking them to production feasibility or brand requirements.

• Engage and Interact: Treat the portfolio review as a conversation. Be prepared to answer questions about your work and demonstrate your thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for a blend of creative talent, technical proficiency, an understanding of the business context (sports licensing, production), and a cultural fit with Fanatics' energetic, fan-centric, and collaborative environment. Be prepared to discuss your experience in detail and link it directly to the responsibilities outlined.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer II position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific apparel design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any relevant sports or licensing background. Ensure your portfolio prominently features apparel graphics, concept ideation, and production-ready examples.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience, specific skills (Adobe Suite, Pantone, typography), and achievements related to graphic design, especially within fast-paced or deadline-driven environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, how you translate trends into commercial designs, and your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and answer behavioral questions related to Fanatics' BOLD principles.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Fanatics' brand, product offerings, key sports licenses, and recent marketing campaigns. Understand their commitment to the fan experience and their company culture.

⚠️ 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.