Senior Director Operational Art

Fanatics Commerce•Tampa, FL

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Director, Operational Art will play a critical role in translating creative concepts into production-ready licensed sportswear and jerseys at global scale. This role leads the execution of production-ready artwork, color separations, embellishment specifications, and the sample-to-production process for licensed sportswear and jerseys across domestic and global manufacturing partners. This role partners cross-functionally with Merchandising, Graphic Design, Product Development, Licensing, and Sourcing to ensure artwork is delivered accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with brand and league requirements for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA, and international properties. The Sr. Director, Operational Art delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

Requirements

Eight or more years of experience in production art, apparel graphics, licensed products, or a related field, with demonstrated expertise managing high-volume production-art workflows, projects, and teams.
Five or more years of progressive leadership experience within an apparel or licensed-product organization, including managing multi-disciplinary teams across production art, color separations, Buy Ready, and quality control.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with strong knowledge of apparel and jersey manufacturing processes, printing techniques, embellishment methods, and production-ready artwork preparation.
Working knowledge of screen printing, heat transfer, embroidery, twill, sublimation, and other apparel-decoration techniques applied to licensed sportswear and jersey product lines.
Experience working with global teams, vendors, or manufacturing partners across multiple time zones, with effective cross-functional, vendor-facing, and executive communication skills.
Familiarity with product lifecycle management systems, Adobe Illustrator automation, and AI-enabled production tools; experience with licensed sports apparel, jerseys, or performance products strongly preferred.
Strong project-management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet demanding deadlines, analyze workflows and performance data, and drive continuous improvement across the production pipeline.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.
Bachelor's degree in graphic design, fine arts, apparel design, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience with licensed sports apparel, jerseys, or performance products strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, Graphic Design, Licensing, and Sourcing to clarify project requirements, establish timelines, and align on artwork execution across the full production pipeline.
Build strong relationships with global vendors and manufacturing partners to ensure clear communication, consistent execution, and on-time delivery across multiple time zones.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and detail-oriented culture aligned with brand, league, and fan expectations throughout the organization.
Lead, coach, and develop production-art managers, artists, separation specialists, Buy Ready specialists, and quality-control team members operating across multiple time zones and regions.
Monitor workload and resource allocation to ensure the team is positioned for high-quality, cost-effective execution in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Cultivate a performance culture rooted in continuous improvement, clear accountability, and professional development at every level of the team.
Ensure all production artwork, color separations, and embellishment specifications comply with licensing requirements for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA, and international teams and leagues, delivering products that meet fan and league expectations.
Establish and maintain quality-control processes for artwork consistency, color approvals, sample matching, embellishment execution, and vendor file compliance so that fans receive products that match the intended design.
Oversee the research and development and production-sample pipeline — including concept samples, domestic prototypes, strike-offs, and applicable testing — to ensure product integrity from concept through delivery.
Collaborate with Product Development and Design to confirm sample intent, application methods, and embellishment feasibility, keeping the fan experience at the center of every production decision.
Develop and improve workflows that increase efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and collaboration across the production art pipeline, reducing time to market on licensed sportswear and jerseys.
Support the implementation of automation and AI-enabled tools that improve production-art processes and speed to market, including familiarity with Adobe Illustrator automation and product lifecycle management systems.
Analyze production performance metrics to identify workflow risks, process gaps, and opportunities for improvement, driving corrective actions before they impact delivery.
Translate creative concepts and technical requirements into executable production solutions, bridging the gap between design intent and manufacturing reality.
Implement and maintain standards for production artwork, color separations, embellishment mapping, and vendor-ready files across domestic and global production partners.
Manage production-art workflows across regions, ensuring quality, consistency, and on-time delivery through rigorous day-to-day oversight of file handoffs, embellishment readiness, strike-off accuracy, and Buy Ready activities.
Review production performance metrics, identify risks or delays, and implement corrective actions to protect delivery commitments and product quality.
Monitor departmental expenses and vendor performance to support cost-effective execution, ensuring resources are allocated to the highest-impact priorities.
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.