Senior Designer

Hornets Basketball Brand; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) Creative is seeking a Senior Designer to translate business and brand objectives into compelling visual ideas. You will lead projects from concept through completion, collaborating with leadership and teams across video, social, and digital to deliver cohesive brand experiences for fans and partners.

The ideal candidate has 4+ years of design experience in brand or sports environments, a strong portfolio, and advanced typography/layout skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 4+ years of professional design experience in brand, agency, sports, entertainment or consumer-facing environments.
• Strong portfolio showing conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, campaigns and craft across channels.
• Advanced typography, layout, color, imagery, composition and visual hierarchy.
• Ability to independently manage projects and balance priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, collaboration and presentation skills with feedback.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite; print and digital production knowledge; familiarity with Figma.
• Curiosity and working knowledge of AI tools and evolving design practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling creative concepts, campaigns and visual systems across print, digital, social, environmental, apparel and live experiences.
• Translate briefs and business objectives into original creative solutions supporting Marketing, Sales, Partnerships and other initiatives.
• Own assigned projects from concept to delivery; ensure on-brand, accurate and on time.
• Collaborate with leadership and designers to elevate execution and maintain high creative quality.
• Work with Video, Social, Animation, Digital and other teams to build cohesive brand experiences across channels.
• Present concepts and rationale confidently to stakeholders.
• Uphold and evolve HSE brand standards; push creative forward with freshness and distinctiveness.
• Ensure craftsmanship and production quality in typography, composition, imagery and file prep.
• Proactively manage priorities and communicate challenges; contribute to a collaborative culture.

Skills

Brand design

Typography

Adobe Creative Suite

Visual storytelling

Figma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

InDesign

Figma

Job description

Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) Creative is a brand-focused, concept-driven team responsible for building, shaping and evolving the HSE brand across touchpoints. Working closely with partners across the organization, the team develops campaigns, brand systems, revenue initiatives, presentations, arena branding, digital content and live-event experiences designed to feel distinctive, consistent and connected to our fans, partners and community.

The Senior Designer plays a key role in translating business and brand objectives into compelling visual ideas. Working closely with creative leadership and the broader team, this position combines conceptual thinking, visual storytelling and hands‑on design execution to deliver distinctive, cohesive creative across channels.

The ideal candidate is an experienced multidisciplinary designer with strong visual judgment, attention to detail and the ability to independently lead projects from concept through completion. They bring fresh ideas, collaborate effectively and consistently deliver work that elevates the HSE brand.

Hornets Values

• We operate with the highest level of integrity, driven by moral standards that guide us in everything we do.
• We communicate with full candor; openly, honestly, and respectfully with clarity.
• We work in the spirit of one team, committed to one vision, shared values, and an inclusive culture that ensures every person feels valued and respected.
• We hold ourselves accountable, and responsible to raise high levels of expectations of ourselves and our team.
• We compete at the highest levels and strive to be the best at everything we do
• We act with resilience and thrive in the face of challenges bringing others along with us.

Essential Duties and 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.

Required Skills, Experience and Abilities

To perform the job successfully, you will have or demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• 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.
• Additional Expectations
• 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.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, benefit‑eligible position. HSE is dedicated to creating and upholding a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity.

HSE provides valuable benefits and competitive time off policies to help you and your family lead healthy, balanced lives.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All requests for medical or religious accommodations to perform the stated job duties will be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.