Director, Studio Operations

Fanatics Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 173,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading collectibles company is seeking a Director of Studio Operations for its TCG Studio in New York. This key role requires expertise in strategic operations and a deep understanding of the trading card game industry. Responsibilities include managing leadership communications, optimizing workflows, and executing high-impact projects. Candidates should have 8+ years in high-output environments and proven ability to influence senior leaders. The position demands strong strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, ensuring the studio's success in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in management consulting, business operations, or gaming/tech.
• Proven track record influencing senior leadership without formal authority.
• Deep understanding of the TCG industry or competitive CCG ecosystems.
• Ability to execute complex, multi-disciplinary projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and own the studio’s executive operating rhythm.
• Act as a proxy to the Head of Studio for strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate integration between Game Design, Production, and Brand.
• Lead zero-to-one projects and optimize internal workflows.
• Synthesize complex studio data into clear narratives.
• Monitor studio culture and productivity.

Skills

Strategic thinking

High emotional intelligence

Synthesis and communication

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM
Fanatics TCG is a new trading card game business, the newest member of the Fanatics Collectibles family. We are here to build the best TCG studio and games in the world.
If you have passion, skill, and a deep‑seeded belief that trading card games represent the pinnacle of gaming, we want to hear from you. We are building a fast‑paced, high‑talent environment where we move quickly to redefine the hobby.

JOB PURPOSE
As the Director, Studio Operations for the TCG Studio, you will serve as a partner and “force multiplier” for the Head of Studio. This is a high‑leverage leadership role designed for an elite operator who can navigate the intersection of creative game development, business operations, and executive decision‑making.

You will be responsible for ensuring the studio runs at peak efficiency, driving the high‑level operating rhythm of the leadership team, and spearheading mission‑critical initiatives that require a sophisticated understanding of both product and business. You aren’t just an administrator; you are a strategic architect who helps translate the studio’s vision into a scalable reality.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Operating Model:
  • Design and own the studio’s executive operating rhythm—managing leadership forums, strategic offsites, and studio‑wide milestones to ensure constant alignment on North Star goals.
• Act as a proxy and advisor to the Head of Studio, managing high‑stakes initiatives and ensuring leadership bandwidth is focused on the most transformative opportunities.
• Facilitate seamless integration between Game Design, Production, Product, and Brand to unblock dependencies and accelerate the development lifecycle.
• Critical Initiatives:
  • Lead “zero‑to‑one” projects, ranging from exploring new intellectual property opportunities to optimizing complex internal studio workflows and resource allocation.
• High‑Stakes Communication:
  • Synthesize complex studio data into clear, compelling narratives for executive presentations, board materials, and internal studio updates.
• Organizational Health:
  • Proactively monitor the “pulse” of the studio, identifying risks to culture or productivity and developing targeted solutions to keep a world‑class team operating at its best.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience:
  • 8+ years of professional experience in high‑output environments such as management consulting, business operations, or lead roles within the gaming/tech industry.
• Leadership Impact:
  • Proven track record of influencing senior leadership and driving cross‑functional outcomes without needing formal “line management” authority.
• Industry Fluency:
  • A genuine passion for and deep understanding of the TCG industry, tabletop gaming, or competitive CCG ecosystems is highly preferred.
• Project Mastery:
  • Demonstrated ability to own and execute complex, multi‑disciplinary projects from initial concept through to studio‑wide implementation.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strategic Operator:
  • A rare blend of high‑level strategic thinking and the tactical discipline to manage granular details.
• Synthesis & Communication:
  • Ability to translate abstract creative goals into actionable business plans and vice‑versa.
• High EQ with the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and build trust with diverse creative and technical stakeholders.
• Dynamic Execution:
  • Thrives in a high‑growth, ambiguous environment where the ability to pivot and solve “new” problems daily is a requirement.

LOCATION & COMPENSATION

• Achieving our goals requires strong collaboration and partnership between our teams and internal stakeholders. To best support this, the person who accepts this role is expected to be onsite in‑office five days per week.

The salary range for this position is $173,000- $216,000, which represents base pay only and does not include short‑term or long‑term incentive compensation. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training.

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). For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers.

About Us

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 model and vision for the hobby, fundamentally changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many U.S. and international professional and college sports. The organization has long‑term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports and entertainment properties, including MLB, MLBPA, the Premier League, MLS, UFC, Formula 1 as well as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, among others. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business, and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards

Job Info

• Locations 95 Morton St, New York, NY, 10014, US (On‑site)