Graphic Designer II, Headwear – Mitchell & Ness

Fanatics Commerce is the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, operating a vertically integrated platform that designs, manufactures, and delivers officially licensed apparel, jerseys, headwear, and collectibles for major leagues, teams, and events worldwide. With more than 900 e-commerce sites and a global omnichannel presence across digital, in-venue, and retail, Fanatics Commerce reaches fans in over 180 countries and powers official fan experiences for many of the world's most iconic sports properties.

At Fanatics, we bring our BOLD Leadership Principles to life every day - building championship teams, obsessing over fans, acting with entrepreneurial speed, and delivering with a determined and relentless mindset.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Graphic Designer Headwear – Mitchell & Ness is a creative, passionate, and driven design professional who applies a strong command of brand identity, color theory, and apparel production techniques to develop seasonal sports apparel assortments for Fanatics Commerce's licensed sports business. Partnering closely with in-house design teams, this role maintains corporate branding and seasonal creative direction that enhances individual league programs through compelling visual storytelling. The Graphic Designer, Licensed Sports Apparel delivers business and fan impact through BOLD leadership and execution excellence, leveraging data, automation, and AI-enabled insights.

HOW WILL YOU DRIVE IMPACT

Success is measured by the ability to deliver results through BOLD capabilities and measurable outcomes.

Team & Leadership Impact (Build Championship Teams)

• Partner cross-functionally with in-house design teams to maintain corporate branding standards and align seasonal creative direction across league programs.
• Confidently influence team creative output by sharing fresh perspectives and new ideas through clear written and verbal communication with internal partners.
• Collaborate effectively across all departments, contributing equally whether managing projects independently or as part of a broader team.

Fan & Customer Impact (Obsessed with Fans)

• Design apparel graphics that resonate with sports fans by staying current on trends in sports apparel, pop culture, and consumer insights.
• Develop mood boards, trend boards, and ideation boards that translate cultural and market signals into compelling seasonal assortments.
• Ensure all graphic output adheres to brand guidelines and league-specific creative standards, reinforcing an authentic and elevated fan experience.
• Create non-calendared special art request concepts and programs that respond to fan demand and business opportunities with speed and quality.

Innovation & Problem Solving (Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit)

• Conduct local trend shopping and research across multiple apparel embellishment techniques — including screen print, heat transfers, appliqués, and embroidery — to inform design innovation.
• Apply intermediate to advanced typography skills to research, develop, and implement distinctive font solutions within apparel graphics.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging sports and pop culture trends to continuously sharpen design aesthetic and inform strategic direction.
• Develop and maintain presentation decks and collection boards that communicate seasonal stories clearly and creatively to internal stakeholders.

Ownership & Execution (Determined & Relentless Mindset)

• Lead design efforts against seasonal creative stories within the licensed apparel assortment, from concept through final art delivery.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of color theory, composition, and concept development while consistently adhering to brand guidelines and seasonal direction.
• Apply knowledge of production art processes — including both import and domestic printing and production methods — to ensure designs are executed to specification.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously with excellent organizational discipline, meeting deadlines and adapting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

AI & DIGITAL CAPABILITY

We are building a future-ready organization. This role is expected to:

• Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes
• Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance
• Demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in adopting new technologies and ways of working
• Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE YOU BRING

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years of professional graphic design experience; experience designing graphics for headwear is highly preferred. Licensing or sports-related experience is a plus
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, with intermediate to advanced typography skills.
• Demonstrated advanced-level knowledge of color theory, composition, and concept development with the ability to adhere to brand guidelines and seasonal creative stories.
• Strong working knowledge of apparel production art processes, including screen print, heat transfers, appliqués, embroidery, and both import and domestic printing methods.
• Familiarity with project management systems and intermediate-level proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional attention to detail with excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present ideas and decisions professionally to internal partners.
• A strong professional portfolio (required) showcasing a wide range of graphic design skills and abilities; ability to travel up to 10% of the time for partner meetings and events.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Arts or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education, training, or work experience.

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid: The primary place of performance of this role is the Company's office located in Philadelphia, PAsubject to the Company's current hybrid work policy. This role currently requires in-office presence 3 days per week. The team is also open to candidates based in the New York City area who are able to travel to the Philadelphia office as needed. 

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset—We Build Championship Teams, we're Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined & Relentless Mindset. If you're ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.

At Fanatics, we operate with a BOLD mindset - We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.ABOUT USFanatics 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 TEAMFanatics 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, 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).At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:· Build Championship Teams· Obsessed with Fans· Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit· Determined and Relentless Mindset

By submitting your application, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our Candidate Privacy Policy.