Sr Graphic Designer - Quick Strike at Fanatics

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr Graphic Designer - Quick Strike Company: Fanatics Location: Tampa, Florida, United States Job Type: Full time Category: Creative Operations / Brand Design Date Posted: 2025-07-24T18:17:00 Experience Level: 6+ Years Professional Experience Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Drive creative strategy and execution for seasonal sports apparel assortments, ensuring brand consistency and visual storytelling excellence.
Develop and maintain high-impact presentation decks and collection boards to communicate design concepts and seasonal direction to stakeholders.
Generate innovative graphic concepts and program designs for non-calendared special art requests, responding effectively to business needs.
Conduct local trend research and analysis across various apparel embellishment techniques to inform design aesthetic and product development.
Apply advanced typography, color theory, and composition skills to create compelling apparel graphics that align with league and brand identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is on graphic design, the "Quick Strike" designation suggests a need for rapid concept development and execution, implying a strong emphasis on process efficiency and swift turnaround times within the creative operations workflow. This role likely interfaces heavily with merchandising and product development teams, requiring an understanding of the GTM (Go-To-Market) timeline and the impact of design on sales performance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Spearhead the creation of apparel graphics for Fanatics' licensed sports business, leading design efforts against seasonal creative stories and assortment strategies.
Develop and meticulously maintain presentation decks and collection boards that effectively communicate seasonal creative direction and design narratives to internal teams and external partners.
Conceptualize and execute graphic designs for non-calendared special art requests, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with specific program needs and brand guidelines.
Conduct thorough local trend shopping, research, and development for a variety of apparel embellishment techniques, including screen printing, heat transfers, appliques, and embroidery, to ensure designs are innovative and manufacturable.
Apply intermediate to advanced typography skills for font research, development, and seamless implementation in apparel graphics, ensuring aesthetic coherence and brand alignment.
Maintain an active and insightful understanding of current trends in sports apparel, broader sports/pop culture, consumer insights, new business opportunities, and competitor activities to influence design aesthetic and strategy through the creation of mood, trend, and ideation boards.
Confidently influence the design team and internal partners by sharing fresh perspectives, promoting new ideas, and articulating design decisions effectively through both written and verbal communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual design contribution and strategic influence. The emphasis on "seasonal creative stories" and "assortments" indicates a need for understanding product lifecycle management and how design impacts inventory and sales. The "Quick Strike" aspect implies that ability to quickly adapt to market trends and execute designs efficiently is paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

Experience:

A minimum of 6 years of progressive professional graphic design experience, with a strong preference for experience within the licensing or sports industry.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize workload effectively, and adapt to changing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign are critical for creating and manipulating design assets.
Advanced Typography Skills: Demonstrated expertise in font research, development, application, and hierarchy for effective visual communication in apparel graphics.
Color Theory & Composition: Advanced understanding of color theory, composition principles, and concept development to create visually appealing and impactful designs that adhere to brand guidelines and seasonal creative stories.
Production Art & Embellishment Knowledge: Strong knowledge of production art processes, screen printing, heat transfers, appliques, embroidery, and other apparel embellishment techniques, including understanding their application and limitations.
Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Trend Analysis & Research: Ability to conduct thorough market research, identify emerging trends in sports apparel and pop culture, and translate these insights into actionable design strategies.

Preferred Skills:

Project Management Systems: Familiarity with working within project management systems to track design requests, deadlines, and team progress.
Microsoft Office Suite: Intermediate-level proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for communication, documentation, and presentation preparation.
Sports Enthusiasm: A genuine passion for sports and an understanding of sports culture to better connect with the company's core audience and product lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Advanced level knowledge" for design software and typography, coupled with "6+ years of professional graphic design experience," positions this role as senior. The requirement for a strong portfolio is paramount, as it serves as the primary validation of these advanced skills and experience within the operations context of creative output.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A comprehensive and visually compelling professional portfolio showcasing a wide range of graphic design skills and abilities, specifically highlighting apparel graphics and seasonal collections.
Case studies demonstrating the application of design principles to solve specific business challenges, such as developing a cohesive seasonal assortment or creating impactful graphics for a special request.
Evidence of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., merchandising, marketing) in the design process, showcasing communication and project management capabilities.
Examples of how you've translated market trends and consumer insights into effective design outcomes, demonstrating strategic thinking beyond aesthetic execution.
A section dedicated to demonstrating advanced typography and color theory application in apparel design, with clear explanations of design choices.

Process Documentation:

Ability to document design workflows, from initial concept ideation and research through to final production art, ensuring clarity and replicability.
Experience in creating and maintaining visual brand guidelines and style guides for apparel design to ensure consistency across all product lines and marketing materials.
Skills in developing and managing design asset libraries, ensuring organized storage and easy retrieval of approved graphics and templates for efficient project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Graphic Designer role, the portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic talent but also the ability to manage the design process from concept to production, demonstrating efficiency and strategic alignment. This implies an understanding of creative operations and how design contributes to the broader GTM strategy.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the "Sr." title, 6+ years of experience, and the industry/location (Tampa, FL), a competitive salary range for this role would typically fall between $80,000 and $110,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior creative roles in major metropolitan areas, considering the specialized nature of sports apparel licensing.

Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to support employee well-being.
Financial Security: Competitive 401k plan with potential company match, financial planning resources, and potential for performance-based bonuses.
Work-Life Integration: Flexible Time Off (PTO) policy to encourage rejuvenation and prevent burnout, alongside paid maternity, paternity, and infertility treatment support.
Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing learning, including access to training programs, workshops, and industry conferences to enhance design skills and stay current with trends.
Wellness Programs: Access to fitness and weight management partners, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Legal Assistance: Support services for legal matters.
Development Assistance: Resources aimed at career and personal growth.

Working Hours:

Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Fanatics often fosters a dynamic environment that may offer some flexibility, but core business hours are expected for team collaboration and project delivery. Travel up to 20% may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on the senior level, the specialized skills in graphic design for apparel, and the location in Tampa, FL. Benefits are detailed based on the provided information, highlighting a strong emphasis on employee well-being and financial planning, which are attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports & Entertainment, E-commerce, Retail, Apparel Manufacturing Company Size: Large (Fanatics operates globally with a significant employee base, indicative of a structured yet dynamic corporate environment). This size suggests ample resources, established processes, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995, giving it a long history and deep roots in the sports licensing and merchandise industry. This longevity implies stability, market leadership, and a well-developed understanding of fan engagement and product lifecycle management.

Team Structure:

The Sr. Graphic Designer will likely be part of a larger Creative or Design department, potentially within a broader Marketing or Merchandising division.
This team is expected to be highly collaborative, working closely with other designers, art directors, merchandisers, product developers, and marketing specialists.
Reporting structure would typically be to a Creative Director or Design Manager, with direct interaction with project managers and stakeholders from various business units.

Methodology:

Data-Informed Design: While creative, design decisions are likely influenced by sales data, fan engagement metrics, and market trend analysis to ensure commercial viability and audience resonance.
Agile Creative Processes: The "Quick Strike" nature of some projects suggests an agile approach to creative development, prioritizing speed and adaptability in concept generation and execution.
Brand Consistency Focus: A strong emphasis on maintaining corporate branding and league-specific creative direction across all design outputs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Fanatics' culture is built on passion for sports and a drive for innovation. For a designer, this means working in a high-energy environment where understanding fan culture and market trends is as crucial as design skill. The "Quick Strike" aspect points towards an operational need for rapid iteration and execution, a common trait in fast-moving consumer goods and sports merchandising.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is for an experienced designer who can lead projects independently, mentor junior designers, and contribute strategically to the creative output of the organization. Reporting Structure: Reports to a Design Manager or Creative Director. Will collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams including Merchandising, Product Development, Marketing, and potentially Sales. Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts product appeal, brand perception, and ultimately, sales revenue. Successful seasonal assortments and impactful special art requests contribute significantly to Fanatics' market position and profitability. The ability to execute "quick strike" designs efficiently can directly translate to capturing timely market opportunities.

Growth Opportunities:

Lead Designer/Art Director: Progression to leading specific product categories, seasonal collections, or art direction for key initiatives.
Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas like apparel embellishment, digital design for e-commerce, or brand identity management.
Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into roles within Merchandising, Product Management, or Brand Marketing, leveraging design expertise.
Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and guide junior designers, developing leadership and management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Sr." title and the description of influencing design strategy indicate a clear path for growth. The ability to manage projects and contribute to seasonal assortments aligns with career progression in operations-focused creative roles, where efficiency and impact are key metrics.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Tampa, FL, and is an on-site position. This suggests a corporate office environment. Office Location(s): While the primary location is Tampa, Fanatics has a global presence, but this specific role is tied to the Tampa office. Workspace Context:

Expect a collaborative open-plan office or studio environment conducive to teamwork and idea sharing.
Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, likely including powerful workstations and necessary peripherals.
Opportunities for regular interaction with design peers, managers, and cross-functional stakeholders to foster a dynamic and responsive creative process.
A fast-paced, energetic atmosphere often found in sports-related companies, driven by event schedules, seasonal releases, and market trends.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, typically Monday through Friday. However, given the fast-paced nature of the sports industry and the "Quick Strike" designation, occasional extended hours or weekend work may be necessary to meet critical deadlines for product launches or major events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and the dynamic team environment of Fanatics. Understanding the "fast-paced and dynamic environment" is key to succeeding in this role, as it dictates the pace of operations and creative output.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter will review applications for basic qualifications and portfolio submission.
Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A hiring manager or senior design lead will assess the portfolio for skill demonstration, creative thinking, and relevant experience. This stage may include technical questions about design software, production processes, and trend analysis.
Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a design task or present a case study from their portfolio that demonstrates their approach to a specific design problem relevant to Fanatics' business (e.g., designing a collection for a specific league or event).
Team/Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with potential team members and stakeholders from departments like Merchandising or Marketing to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit.
Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader (e.g., Creative Director) to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and strategic contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Selectively: Showcase your best work that is most relevant to sports apparel design, seasonal collections, and brand identity.
Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your process, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcome. Highlight your role clearly.
Demonstrate Process: Include sketches, mood boards, and concept development stages to show your thinking.
Highlight Specific Skills: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates advanced typography, color theory, and knowledge of production techniques.
Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished. Consider a digital portfolio platform.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand Fanatics: Research their current product lines, recent campaigns, and the leagues they represent.
Analyze Trends: Be prepared to discuss current sports apparel trends, pop culture influences, and how you identify and apply them.
Articulate Strategy: For any presented work, be ready to explain the strategic thinking behind your design choices and how they align with business objectives.
Practice Communication: Clearly articulate your design rationale, process, and collaboration experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a strong portfolio and the ability to articulate design strategy and process, reflecting the operational rigor expected in a senior role. The design challenge is a key component to assess practical application and problem-solving skills relevant to the company's operational needs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite:
- Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo creation, and apparel artwork.
- Photoshop: Critical for raster image editing, mockups, and digital assets.
- InDesign: Used for creating presentation decks, lookbooks, and collection boards.
Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or similar for task management and workflow tracking.
Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook (communication), Word (documentation), Excel (data organization), PowerPoint (presentations).

Analytics & Reporting:

While not a primary data analyst role, understanding how design performance is tracked (e.g., sales data for specific graphics/collections) and being able to interpret basic reports would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design assets flow into marketing automation or CRM systems for campaign execution might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Familiarity with project management tools is key for integrating into Fanatics' operational workflows and ensuring efficient project delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Fan Obsession: A core value at Fanatics, meaning understanding and catering to the needs and desires of sports fans is paramount in all creative output.
Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encourages innovation, proactive problem-solving, and taking initiative in design projects and process improvements.
Determined and Relentless Mindset: A commitment to overcoming challenges, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality work even under pressure.
Build Championship Teams: Fosters a collaborative environment where team members support each other, share knowledge, and work together to achieve collective goals.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with Merchandising, Product Development, and Marketing, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of project goals.
Feedback-Driven Improvement: An environment that values constructive feedback to refine designs and processes, promoting continuous learning and adaptation.
Proactive Communication: Encourages designers to share ideas, raise concerns, and provide updates proactively to ensure smooth project execution and alignment across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values directly inform the operational expectations for the design team. Understanding how these values translate into daily work—such as being fan-obsessed in design choices or demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit in problem-solving—is crucial for cultural alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Creativity with Commercial Demands: Effectively merging artistic vision with the need for commercially viable, trend-aligned designs that meet sales targets.
Rapid Turnaround Times: Adapting to the "Quick Strike" nature of the business, which requires efficient design processes and the ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
Managing Multiple Brands/Leagues: Juggling the distinct visual identities, fan bases, and creative directives for various sports leagues and teams.
Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously researching and integrating emerging trends in sports, fashion, and pop culture to keep designs fresh and relevant.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Industry Workshops & Conferences: Access to events focused on sports apparel design, graphic design innovation, and e-commerce trends.
Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design techniques, software, or areas like digital design or brand strategy.
Mentorship Programs: Learning from experienced design leaders within Fanatics to refine craft and develop strategic thinking.
Exposure to Global Trends: Working with a global company provides insights into international sports and fashion trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in the operational landscape of fast-paced creative industries. Addressing these challenges by developing efficient processes and strong trend analysis skills are key growth areas for this role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Walk me through a seasonal apparel collection you designed. What was your process, and what were the key design decisions you made to align with market trends and fan preferences?" (Focus on process, strategy, and outcomes.)
"Describe a time you had to create graphics under a tight deadline for a 'quick strike' opportunity. How did you prioritize, manage your workflow, and ensure the quality of the final output?" (Focus on efficiency, project management, and execution.)
"How do you stay current with trends in sports apparel, fashion, and pop culture, and how do you integrate these insights into your design work?" (Focus on research methodology and application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

"Fanatics' values include 'Obsessed with Fans.' How does this value influence your approach to designing apparel for sports enthusiasts?" (Focus on empathy and audience understanding.)
"Describe your experience collaborating with merchandising or product development teams. How do you ensure your designs meet both creative and commercial objectives?" (Focus on cross-functional collaboration and business acumen.)
"How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs from stakeholders or team members?" (Focus on adaptability and communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Structure Your Presentation: Begin with an overview of your experience, then dive into 2-3 key projects that best represent your skills for this role.
Highlight Process and Impact: For each project, detail your design process, the specific techniques used, and the business impact or results achieved. Use metrics where possible.
Showcase "Quick Strike" Capability: If possible, include a project that demonstrates rapid ideation and execution.
Articulate Brand Alignment: Explain how your designs align with the brand identity of Fanatics and the specific leagues you're representing.
Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical skills, and collaboration approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for strategy questions by articulating your process, efficiency, and trend integration skills will be crucial. Demonstrating an understanding of Fanatics' core values and their impact on design operations will also be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

Submit your application through the provided link on the Fanatics careers portal.
Portfolio Preparation: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, highlights relevant sports apparel design work, and clearly showcases your advanced skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, and typography. Organize it logically, perhaps by project type or theme, with clear explanations for each piece.
Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of experience, specific achievements in graphic design (especially in apparel or licensing), and proficiency with the required software and processes. Use keywords from the job description naturally.
Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your design process, how you handle feedback, your understanding of fan culture, and your experience with fast-paced projects. Practice presenting your portfolio and articulating the strategic thinking behind your designs.
Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Fanatics' recent campaigns, product lines, and the leagues they partner with. Understand their company values and how they apply to the creative operations of the business.

⚠️ 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.

Sr Graphic Designer - Quick Strike