Art Director

Fanatics; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Fanatics Collectibles is seeking an Art Director to lead our graphic design team and steer all visual elements for our trading card and collectibles lines. You will manage the creative process from concept to preproduction, guiding designers and ensuring high-quality, print-ready artwork.

The role requires a senior level designer with at least 10 years of experience, strong leadership, and a passion for collectibles and sports.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience; with at least 2 years leading a designers team.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management and ability to handle multiple deadlines.
• Solid knowledge of the trading card and collectibles industry and trends.
• Knowledge of football, F1 and other sports is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with brand managers on product ideation and direction.
• Determine print technology per release, balancing aesthetics, cost, and press efficiency.
• Ensure print specs are clear and accurately captured on BOM.
• Establish a distinct brand identity and visual style per project.
• Design and lay out concepts and lead a team of designers for trading card packaging.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback and secure approvals.
• Oversee creation of design masters and review card proofs.
• Coordinate with prepress and manufacturing vendors on final press files and finish stages.

Skills

Team management

Creative design

Time management

Communication

Industry knowledge

Sports knowledge

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Team

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

Role Summary

Fanatics Collectibles is seeking anArt Directors at The Topps Company/Fanatics Collectibles are the captains of our graphic designteam, steering products and leading team members in the creation of all visual elements for our trading card and collectibles business. As veteran graphic designers and accomplished leaders, our art directors manage all aspects of the creative process and steward each product subset through design and preproduction.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate directly with brand managers on product ideation.
• Determine the print technology of each release, balancing aesthetic requirements with cost budgeting and technical efficiencies on press.
• Ensure print specs are captured accurately and with clarity on the bill of materials.
• Establish a brand identity and coherent visual style for each project.
• Execute a host of design and layout concepts, and direct a team of designers to generate trading card and packaging design templates.
• Implement stakeholder feedback and secure internal approvals.
• Oversee the creation of design masters and engage in the comprehensive review of card proof sets.
• Liaise with prepress and manufacturing vendors on all matters relating to card visuals final press files, and complexities during print and finishing stages.

Skills and Experience Required

• 10+ years of relevant experience; at least 2 years or more managing a team of designers
• Creative, innovative, professional and organised.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
• Have a natural eye for design and a passion for delivering dynamic concepts that connect with our consumers.
• Elevate the design work of our group while guiding team members to take their creative efforts to the next level.
• Excel at time management and the ability to manage multiple simultaneous deadlines.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of the trading card and collectibles industry, consumer trends, and competitor products.
• Knowledge of football, F1 and other sports are an advantage

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. Subject to applicable laws, Fanatics Collectibles may choose to run a background check.