Senior Brand Designer – Sports & Live Experiences

Hornets-Basketball-LLC; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hornets Sports & Entertainment is seeking a Senior Designer to translate brand objectives into compelling visual ideas and lead projects from concept to completion. You will collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver distinctive brand experiences across print, digital, social, environmental, apparel and live events.

The ideal candidate brings strong visual judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage campaigns while maintaining on-brand quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 4+ years of professional design experience, preferably within a brand, agency, sports, entertainment or consumer-facing environment.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, campaign development and exceptional design craft across multiple channels.
• Advanced understanding of typography, layout, color, imagery, composition and visual hierarchy.
• Ability to independently manage projects, solve creative challenges and balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, collaboration and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate creative decisions and incorporate feedback.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and strong knowledge of print and digital production. Familiarity with Figma is preferred.
• Curiosity and working knowledge of AI tools, emerging creative technologies and evolving design practices.
• Demonstrate accountability, professionalism, initiative and attention to detail.
• Stay informed on developments in design, technology, sports and culture.
• Ability to occasionally work extended hours, including Hornets games, Spectrum Center events, nights, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling creative concepts, campaigns and visual systems across print, digital, social, environmental, apparel and live experiences.
• Translate strategic briefs and business objectives into thoughtful, original creative solutions that support Marketing, Ticket Sales, Partnerships and other organizational initiatives.
• Own assigned creative projects from concept through final delivery, ensuring work is strategically aligned, on brand, accurate and delivered on time.
• Partner with creative leadership and fellow designers to develop ideas, elevate execution and maintain a high standard of creative quality.
• Collaborate with Video, Social, Animation, Digital and other teams to build cohesive brand experiences across channels.
• Present creative concepts and recommendations confidently, communicating the thinking and strategic rationale behind the work.
• Uphold and help evolve HSE brand standards, identifying opportunities to push the creative forward in fresh and distinctive ways.
• Ensure exceptional craftsmanship and production quality across all deliverables, including typography, composition, imagery and file preparation.
• Proactively manage priorities, communicate challenges and contribute to a collaborative, solutions-focused creative culture.

Skills

Graphic design

Visual storytelling

Project management

Communication skills

Typography

Layout

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

Job description

Hornets Sports & Entertainment is seeking a Senior Designer to translate brand objectives into compelling visual ideas and lead projects from concept to completion. You will collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver distinctive brand experiences across print, digital, social, environmental, apparel and live events.

The ideal candidate brings strong visual judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to independently manage campaigns while maintaining on-brand quality