Creative Manager, Sports

Hybrid Digital is an eCommerce apparel company located in Lewis Center. With over 40 years of industry experience, Hybrid Digital has cemented itself as one of the most dependable and trusted sources for on-demand print and fulfillment.

What is my role?

As the Manager, Creative - Sports, you will lead the planning, direction, and execution of all sports-licensed creative content. With a strong understanding of sports culture and trends across leagues like the NFL, NBA, NWSL, NASCAR, F1, and more, you will play a key role in developing and maintaining a comprehensive sports design timeline ensuring brand accuracy, timely deliverables, and production-ready

artwork.

This role requires a hands-on leader who actively contributes to design while mentoring and guiding the team through concept development and team rollouts for design programs. You will work closely with account managers, resellers, and licensing teams to align creative strategies with business goals while collaborating cross-functionally to optimize workflows and uphold creative excellence.

What You'll Do

• Act as the creative lead for all sports leagues, ensuring brand guidelines are understood, followed, and effectively communicated.
• Develop and lead creative direction for assigned leagues and sports projects.
• Lead design team, setting the overall visual style and ensuring consistency across different products.
• Ensure timely delivery of creative assets to drive revenue and business growth for sports.
• Manage and be accountable for creative schedules and timelines for sports design projects.
• Mentor and guide design team and freelancers.
• Oversee and create sports graphics, ensuring designs meet brand and market expectations.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams to align creative needs.
• Translate insights and concepts into compelling graphics and products that resonate with the target consumers.
• Ability to present concepts, line reviews and or assortments to internal and external partners.
• Ensure trademark and IP compliance through thorough auditing.
• Ensure all artwork is press-ready and meets print standards through collaboration with our in-house production team.
• Maintain an ongoing and positive partnership with internal and external individuals as a representative of the creative team.

What You'll Need

• BA or equivalent in Graphic Design/Art
• 3 years of experience as a lead designer or equivalent
• 5-7 years of graphic experience in the apparel industry or equivalent consumer products industry
• Strong, creative, and proactive leadership skills.
• Strong interest in all sports, specifically Football, Basketball, Soccer & Motorsports.
• Advanced knowledge of sports design trends and retail market needs.
• Exceptional presentation and collaboration skills with internal and external teams and licensors.
• Strong creative vision with attention to business objectives.
• Exceptional ability in typography, illustration and layout.
• Passion for design and a good understanding of market trends.
• Extremely well-organized with high attention to detail.
• Advanced understanding of the screen-printing process, techniques, and basic garments.
• Must be able to demonstrate a pulse of what is trending at retail.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, with an emphasis on Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Proficient with administrative/company programs outside of Adobe like Excel and Word.
• Understanding how to utilize Ai software as a tool to gain efficiency in design a plus.

Hybrid Apparel is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.