Sr Manager, Game Design - TCG

Fanatics; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 155,250 - 193,200; Full time

Job summary

Fanatics TCG in Seattle is seeking a Sr Manager, Game Design to lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team across trading card game development. You’ll provide strategic direction, foster talent, and ensure creative quality while aligning with production, art, and marketing partners.

The role requires 8+ years managing creative teams in fast-moving studios, deep TCG knowledge, and a proven ability to hire, retain, and grow top talent in a dynamic environment. Onsite in Seattle.

Qualifications

• 8+ years managing creative game teams with a track record of growing talent and maintaining a healthy, high‑performing team culture.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams — you understand the different needs, workflows, and pressures of employees across specializations.
• Deep knowledge of and genuine passion for trading card games.
• A dedicated drive for fostering game design and narrative worldbuilding talent.
• Experience working in an early‑stage or fast‑moving studio is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Engage and develop your team through regular 1:1s and daily contact — giving direct, meaningful guidance and feedback to help each person grow
• Monitor the team’s dynamic, workflow, and output; improve and implement sustainable processes that support balanced workloads, healthy collaboration, and lasting creative quality
• Manage resourcing across projects and ensure projects have the talent they need at the right time
• Serve as a bridge between Game Design and cross‑functional partners in art, production, marketing, and product — translating between creative and operational contexts with clarity
• Ensure your hiring pipeline sources diverse, dedicated people and maintain a fair, consistent interview and testing process; guide and mentor new hires to set them up for success from day one
• Contribute to game design efforts directly when appropriate

Skills

Team management

Multidisciplinary teams

Trading card games

Talent development

Leadership

Project management tools

Asset management systems

Tools

Project management tools

Asset management systems

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. 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 Company

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.

About The Team

Fanatics TCG is a new Seattle‑based trading card game studio within the Fanatics Collectibles family, founded by industry veterans with a long‑term mandate: to build enduring franchises that live across tabletop, digital, community, and culture. We’re looking for the most skilled and passionate talent in the games industry and beyond to help us create the best trading card games in the world.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a Sr Manager, Game Design who’s passionate about growing and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of game and narrative designers across all stages of trading card game development. You have the emotional intelligence to know what each person on your team needs, the experience to give them real direction, and the conviction to hold a high bar without losing anyone along the way. Fanatics TCG is building franchises from the ground up, and this role helps ensure the people doing that work are set up to do the best of their careers.

Responsibilities

• Engage and develop your team through regular 1:1s and daily contact — giving direct, meaningful guidance and feedback to help each person grow
• Monitor the team’s dynamic, workflow, and output; improve and implement sustainable processes that support balanced workloads, healthy collaboration, and lasting creative quality
• Manage resourcing across projects and ensure projects have the talent they need at the right time
• Serve as a bridge between Game Design and cross‑functional partners in art, production, marketing, and product — translating between creative and operational contexts with clarity
• Ensure your hiring pipeline sources diverse, dedicated people and maintain a fair, consistent interview and testing process; guide and mentor new hires to set them up for success from day one
• Contribute to game design efforts directly when appropriate

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of experience managing creative teams in game development, with a track record of growing talent and maintaining a healthy, high‑performing team culture
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams — you understand the different needs, workflows, and pressures of employees across specializations
• Deep knowledge of and genuine passion for trading card games
• A dedicated drive for fostering game design and narrative worldbuilding talent
• Experience working in an early‑stage or fast‑moving studio is highly valued

Skills & Abilities

• Compassion, self‑awareness, and a deep understanding of people — you can read the room, handle pressure with steadiness, and keep morale high through each phase of game development
• Clear, direct communication — you can deliver feedback with care, align stakeholders across functions, and advocate for your team with confidence
• Strong organizational instincts and the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple active projects without losing sight of quality or people
• Proficiency with project management tools and asset management systems
• Highly adaptable and calm under pressure, with the ability to re‑prioritize quickly as needs evolve

Location

All employees of Fanatics TCG are expected to be onsite in our Seattle office five days per week.

Salary range (Seattle): $155,250 - $193,200 USD. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/.

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