Senior Designer

Position Summary The Senior Designer plays a key role in executing product designs across licensed sports apparel and merchandise. This role focuses on translating approved design concepts into final assets for 150+ unique sports teams, ensuring all outputs meet strict licensing guidelines and brand standards. The Senior Designer works closely with the Design Manager, Product Development, Licensing, and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, accurate designs on schedule, leveraging the PLM system to manage assets, track approvals, and deliver finalized design packages. Additionally, the Senior Designer mentors' junior designers and helps maintain the integrity of the design process. This position requires advanced illustrator capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Design Execution & Production

· Translate approved seasonal or capsule concepts into fully executed design assets across 150+ licensed sports teams.

· Create technically accurate drawings, embellishment layouts, and production-ready files aligned with templates and brand requirements.

· Ensure accuracy and consistency across logos, colors, embellishments, and placements for all products.

· Partner with cross-functional teams to incorporate approved brand elements and resolve compliance issues efficiently.

Compliance & Quality Control

· Ensure all designs meet league-specific rules and licensing requirements prior to submission.

· Validate artwork to confirm consistency in brand hits, jock tags, sleeve placements, back labels, and other league-mandated specifications.

· Track and resolve feedback from licensors, escalating complex compliance issues to the Design Manager as needed.

Process & PLM Management

· Use the PLM system to organize artwork, manage revisions, and track approval statuses.

· Maintain clean file structures, version control, and standardized naming conventions within PLM to ensure operational efficiency.

· Partner with the Design Manager to identify process gaps and propose improvements.

Collaboration & Handoffs

· Collaborate closely with Product Development, Licensing, and Merchandising to manage artwork and asset handoffs.

· Provide accurate, production-ready asset packages through PLM to ensure seamless workflows.

· Participate in design checkpoints and incorporate cross-functional feedback into final outputs.

· Communicate regularly with the Design Manager on project timelines, workload balancing, and potential roadblocks.

Workflow & Process Discipline

· Follow established templates, file structures, and PLM workflows to streamline execution and approvals.

· Manage multiple capsules and timelines simultaneously, prioritizing deliverables based on seasonal deadlines.

· Support continuous process improvements to increase team productivity and reduce inefficiencies.

Team Leadership & Development

· Lead, coach, and mentor a team of junior and mid-level designers, setting clear expectations around deadlines, deliverables, and process adherence.

· Provide creative direction, technical feedback, and process guidance to ensure high-quality design execution.

· Partner with the Design Manager and peers to balance workloads, maintain quality, and optimize team resources.

· Foster a collaborative and accountable team culture while supporting professional growth and development.

· Provide ongoing coaching on PLM best practices, asset setup, and efficient handoff management.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design or related field.

· 5+ years of design experience in licensed sports apparel, consumer products, or high-volume merchandise.

· Strong portfolio showcasing expertise in design execution and product rollout across multiple categories or teams.

· Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other industry-standard design tools.

· Familiarity with PLM systems, approval of workflows, and production processes.

· Highly detail-oriented, with exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

· Strong communication skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.

· AI driven innovation, experience in implementing AI tools to streamline processes and enhance team productivity.