Director, Creative Development & Strategy
Fanatics
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Job summary
Topps, part of Fanatics, seeks a Director of Creative Development & Strategy to lead the brand vision across campaigns, narratives, and licensing partnerships in a fast-paced entertainment setting.
You will shape platforms for product launches, mentor a growing creative team, collaborate with Marketing, Product, and Brand, and ensure consistency across digital and physical touchpoints while driving collector engagement.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of creative leadership experience in brand, agency, or entertainment environments.
- Strong portfolio showing strategic thinking and impactful creative work.
- Deep understanding of brand identity, narrative development, and integrated campaign strategy.
- Proven success leading and inspiring creative teams across disciplines (design, copy, content).
- Experience with licensed brands and navigating partner approvals (sports/entertainment licensing a plus).
- Strong visual storytelling skills across digital, print, packaging, and social.
Responsibilities
- Define and lead long-term creative strategy for the Topps brand, balancing legacy and innovation.
- Produce world-class creative across digital, print, social, and content.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Product, and Brand to align with business goals and insights.
- Develop campaign platforms and storytelling strategies for launches, partnerships, and initiatives.
- Guide creative development for licensed properties across sports, entertainment, and pop culture.
- Champion experimentation and push the brand into new visual territory.
- Present concepts to executives and licensing partners with clarity and rationale.
- Maintain brand consistency across all consumer touchpoints.
- Build and mentor a high-performing creative team with a collaborative culture.
Skills
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.
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.
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.
As the Director of Creative Development & Strategy, you will lead the creative vision for the Topps brand, overseeing the development of campaigns, brand narratives, and visual identity across platforms. This strategic role combines brand storytelling, creative leadership, and cross‑functional partnership to drive brand resonance, cultural relevance, and collector engagement. This position will be responsible for handling a wide variety of duties, which include, but are not limited to the ones listed below.
- Define and drive the long‑term creative strategy for the Topps brand, balancing legacy with innovation.
- Produce world‑class work creative across digital, print, social, and content.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Product, and Brand teams to ensure creative execution aligns with business goals and collector insights.
- Develop campaign platforms and storytelling strategies for major product launches, partnerships, and brand initiatives.
- Guide creative development for licensed properties across sports, entertainment, and pop culture.
- Champion creative experimentation and innovation - pushing the brand into new visual and cultural territory.
- Present concepts to executive leadership and licensing partners with clarity, inspiration, and strategic rationale.
- Maintain brand consistency and creative excellence across all consumer touchpoints.
- Build and mentor a high‑performing creative team, fostering a culture of collaboration, feedback, and growth.
- 10+ years of creative leadership experience in brand, agency, or entertainment environments, with a strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking and impactful creative work.
- Deep understanding of brand identity, narrative development, and integrated campaign strategy.
- Proven success leading and inspiring creative teams across multiple disciplines (design, copy, content).
- Expertise in working with licensed brands and navigating partner approval processes (experience in sports or entertainment licensing is a plus).
- Strong visual sensibility and storytelling skills, with experience across digital, print, packaging, and social.
- Comfortable leading strategic presentations and creative reviews with senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Experience managing external creative partners, agencies, and freelancers.
- Passion for culture, fandom, and collectibles—a deep appreciation of what makes brands meaningful to consumers.
- Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment that values innovation and experimentation.
At Topps, you’ll be part of a creative‑forward team reshaping one of the most storied brands in sports and entertainment. Backed by Fanatics, we’re scaling a creative vision that honors the past while building the future. We are committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative workplace where your ideas—and your design—can make an impact.
Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com).
The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short‑term or long‑term incentive compensation. This salary range is specific to Los Angeles and may not be applicable to other locations. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/
Los Angeles Salary Range
$173,650 - $216,200 USD
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