Creative Director

Job Description

Fanatics is seeking a visionary Creative Director to lead the design and animation efforts for our digital marketing team. The ideal candidate will blend creative design with strategic thinking, fueled by a passion for visual storytelling that engages and excites our fans. This role requires a leader who can elevate digital marketing content through innovative design and dynamic animation, while continually testing and exploring new ideas. You’ll ensure compelling experiences across all digital marketing channels, relentlessly enhancing our fan experience and driving both creativity and performance.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the creative direction for all digital marketing campaigns, focusing on both paid social media and email platforms.
• Continuously test new concepts for both animation and static images, experimenting with fresh ideas to optimize performance and engagement across digital marketing campaigns.
• Collaborate with external agencies to develop innovative, high-impact content strategies that drive engagement and amplify brand presence across digital marketing channels.
• Oversee the design and production of graphics and animations that captivate and engage our fans.
• Understand AI design tools and techniques to enhance creative workflows, generating innovative visuals and optimizing content.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, social media, and CRM teams to align creative strategies with business goals.
• Direct the development of high-quality visuals and motion content for digital marketing, ensuring consistency across all digital touchpoints.
• Work with social media companies and platforms to collaborate on innovative content strategies that maximize engagement.
• Establish and refine the creative process for digital marketing, incorporating best practices, quality standards, and timelines for efficient delivery.
• Stay on top of design, animation, and digital marketing trends to keep our creative output fresh, relevant, and ahead of the curve.
• Utilize multivariate testing to optimize creative assets for maximum impact and performance across digital channels.
• Present creative concepts and campaigns to key stakeholders, incorporating feedback and iterating to deliver exceptional final results.
  
  

What You Bring To The Role

• Degree in Design, Animation, Marketing or a related field.
• 5+ years as a Creative Director, with a strong portfolio.
• Knowledge of industry-standard design and animation software such as Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Premiere Pro.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing principles and the ability to create visuals that drive engagement and conversions.
• Experience in multivariate testing and data-driven design optimization
• Exceptional ability to blend creative vision with strategic objectives, ensuring that design work aligns with business goals.
• Experience working cross-functionally, managing feedback, and collaborating effectively with marketing, product, and social teams.
• Up-to-date knowledge of design, animation, and digital marketing trends.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and inspire a creative team.
• Ability to innovate and push creative boundaries in a fast-paced digital environment.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in-office a minimum of three days a week.

The expected salary range for this role is $178,000 - $235,000. This is based on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This role is also eligible for the Fanatics Commerce annual bonus program and an equity award. This salary range is listed in USD and will be determined in part by a successful candidate’s geographic location.

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 Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).