Sr. Manager, Innovation Program Management

Fanatics; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global sports platform company is seeking a Senior Project Manager to oversee empirical research projects that drive product innovations. This role, located in Dallas, Texas, combines technical testing expertise with project management, ensuring quality and compliance in new card manufacturing processes. Ideal candidates will possess strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work across various teams. Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not essential. Join a dynamic environment enhancing the sports fan experience.

Qualifications

• Proven project management experience, ideally with certifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with testing protocols and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead testing process, timelines, and resource coordination.
• Define and design testing processes with stakeholders.
• Produce repeatable work products for effective testing.

Skills

Project management

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented

Spanish proficiency

Education

Project Management certification (PMP, Agile, or Lean)

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Data tools

Job description

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 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 looking for a determined Senior Project Manager with experience leading empirical research projects to manage product innovations through the testing process, delivering actionable insights that drive the business. This role blends technical testing expertise with project leadership, ensuring that new card manufacturing processes, materials, constructions, and technologies meet stringent quality, durability, and compliance standards.

The Innovation & Testing Project Manager will report to the VP of Brand Services, supporting Product, Design, and Manufacturing operations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Partnering with stakeholders to define and design testing processes, maintaining accountability for testing timelines, aligning success criteria, and ensuring complete documentation of the activities and results
• Managing testing process, timelines, and coordination of resources
• Managing the innovation funnel from ideas through testing and validation to scale implementation
• Producing repeatable work products (testing briefs, test findings, change‑management documents, budgets/costing, etc.) that effectively transfer knowledge to the organization for effective testing activities and results

Primary Skills & Expertise

• Assemble cross‑functional teams for testing projects
• Lead the development of thorough testing plans, criteria, and requirements
• Identify opportunities to engage additional resources and expertise (internally and externally)
• Gain alignment of expectations and effort
• Create and maintain timelines for testing and scaling successful tests
• Work with and through functional managers and other leaders to execute testing in a timely manner
• Provide direction to Innovation team members

Scientific‑method orientation

• Develop methodic and complete testing protocols to validate new materials, constructions, technologies, processes, etc.
• Observe the current state and rigorously challenge assumptions and practices concerning testing criteria
• Focus on actionable transference of knowledge, supported by documentation and data
• Share findings regularly with key leaders in a concise and effective reporting format

Printing finishing and embellishment experience

• Materials and substrates
• Finishing and embellishment technologies
• Industry terms, leading suppliers, and methods
• Strong knowledge of testing tools and methodologies for printed materials

The ideal candidate has and can demonstrate skills of

• Addressing Challenges: Proactively address any urgent production issues that arise, collaborating with Brand, Product, Operations Planning, and Production teams to find effective and often creative solutions
• Collaboration with Operations Planning: Work closely with Operations Planning to prioritize key product processing, such as engineering backlog, scheduling, and file delivery to printers, ensuring efficient production timelines
• Point of Contact (POC): Serve as the primary liaison for upstream communications from Product Development, Bill of Materials (BOM), Pre‑Press, Topps Project Management, Auto/Relic Ops, and other relevant vendors
• Communication and Reporting: Provide regular updates on product progress to leadership during weekly executive updates
• Data savvy: Evaluate and drive the collection of data to support testing activities and drive meaningful insights, including a working knowledge of supporting data tools
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with cross‑functional teams and external vendors
• Detail‑oriented with a focus on meeting deadlines and ensuring quality standards
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic and fast‑paced environment, prioritizing tasks effectively to achieve project goals
• Proven project management experience (PMP, Agile, or Lean certification preferred)
• Spanish & English proficiency preferred (although Spanish language not necessary)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite – Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, BI
• Familiarity with Six Sigma process improvement is a plus
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes in the context of sports trading cards or similar products is a plus