Senior Apparel Graphic Designer

Fanatics Commerce•Tampa, FL

2d•$87,000 - $106,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Designer, Licensed Apparel Graphics is an expert-level creative leader responsible for driving the design and development of seasonal sports apparel graphics, translating creative direction into technically sound, production-ready designs and toolkits. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy, managing multiple projects simultaneously while mentoring junior designers and partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure designs align with product strategy, brand vision, and licensing requirements. The Senior Designer, Licensed Apparel Graphics delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

Requirements

8+ years of professional graphic design experience with a demonstrated focus on licensed and/or apparel design.
Expert-level skills in graphic design fundamentals including typography, color theory, layout, and composition, with the ability to lead creative direction across seasonal assortments.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, along with a strong working knowledge of AI design platforms and a clear point of view on integrating AI into the product creation process.
Deep understanding of apparel product development processes, including production techniques, materials, and the technical requirements of licensed design.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects autonomously, consistently meeting deadlines and quality standards in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Experience mentoring and providing feedback to junior designers, with a track record of fostering collaborative, growth-oriented team dynamics.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to sell design concepts to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Apparel Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

Responsibilities

Partner closely with merchants, product developers, and sales teams to ensure apparel graphics align with product goals, assortment strategy, and business needs across all seasonal initiatives.
Lead presentations to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, effectively communicating and selling design concepts with clarity and creative conviction.
Serve as a trusted design expert and mentor to junior designers, providing hands-on guidance, constructive feedback, and a collaborative environment that fosters professional growth.
Act as a creative resource to senior leadership, offering informed design insights that elevate the team's overall aesthetic and execution quality.
Design and develop apparel graphics that authentically connect with sports fans, translating team and brand identity into compelling, wearable visual stories.
Apply a strong understanding of typography, color theory, layout, and composition to deliver designs that resonate with fans across leagues, teams, and events.
Ensure all graphics meet licensed product standards, maintaining the integrity of sports and brand identities while pushing the creative aesthetic forward.
Create design toolkits that bring consistency and cohesion across all consumer touchpoints, from initial ideation through final product execution.
Stay current on trends and best practices in apparel design, licensed graphics, and production techniques, applying that knowledge to continuously improve team processes and creative output.
Bring a strong point of view on integrating artificial intelligence into the product creation workflow, using AI tools to enhance design efficiency without compromising quality or brand standards.
Identify and develop the most compelling design solutions within a given creative direction, solving complex visual challenges independently and with resourcefulness.
Champion a culture of creative innovation by sharing ideas, exchanging feedback with peers, and elevating the collective standard of the design team's work.
Independently manage and execute multiple apparel graphics projects simultaneously, meeting all deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of quality and minimizing technical errors.
Translate creative direction into actionable, production-ready design toolkits that enable consistency and efficiency across the broader design team.
Demonstrate expert-level command of licensed and apparel design principles, ensuring all work is technically sound and aligned with production and merchandising requirements.
Take full ownership of projects from initial concept through final execution, maintaining a relentless focus on craft, detail, and delivery excellence.
Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes.
Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance.
Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working.
Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.