Creative Director

About Fanatics Events

Fanatics is a global leader in licensed sports merchandise, collectibles, and fan experiences. Our newest platform, Fanatics Events, creates large-scale consumer festivals and live experiences that bring fans, athletes, and partners together. Our flagship productions include Fanatics Fest – a first-of-its-kind multi-day fan festival currently hosted in New York City, combining sports, collectibles, athlete appearances, and immersive activations; and WWE World – a multi-day consumer event produced in partnership with WWE, bringing fans closer to superstars, storylines, and experiences during major tentpole weekends.

The Role

Fanatics Events is where sports, culture, and creativity collide. From Fanatics Fest to one-of-a-kind live moments, we design experiences that make fandom unforgettable, blending storytelling, spectacle, and earned media thinking.

We're looking for a Conceptual Creative Lead to help lead Fanatics Events, bringing bold, culture-driving ideas to life at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and fandom. This role is built for a maker at heart, someone who can dream up the unmissable idea, then roll up their sleeves to bring it to life. You'll lead the creative vision across event marketing, stunts, and earned media activations that generate buzz, headlines, and emotional impact.

What You'll Do:

• Concept & Lead: Develop big, attention-grabbing ideas that break through culture, but don't have to break the budget.
• Collaborate Across Fanatics: Partner with internal teams (Social, Collectibles, Sportsbook, Commerce, and Athlete Partnerships, amongst others) to bring ideas to life.
• Own the Process: Drive creative from idea through execution, crafting decks, presenting to leadership, briefing vendors, and overseeing production.
• Guide Craft & Execution: Ensure every output, from copy to design, meets the highest creative standards.
• Champion Earned Ideas: Build ideas designed to travel, the kind that get picked up, reposted, and remembered.
• Inspire & Elevate: Help shape the creative culture within Fanatics Events, mentoring teams and raising the bar on what's possible.

What We're Looking For:

• 10+ years of experience in the creative industry (likely advertising, brand, or experiential agencies), with at least 3 years as a creative leader.
• A portfolio that proves you can think big, ideas that sparked conversation, earned media, and recognized at major award shows (like, Cannes, One Show, Clio, D&AD, etc.).
• Strong track record working with sports brands, leagues, or cultural properties.
• Deep understanding of integrated storytelling, traditional, digital, social, experiential, and everything in between.
• Hands-on creative ability, from crafting pitch decks and writing scripts to directing shoots or designing event experiences.
• Comfort working within fast-moving, cross-functional organizations. You can collaborate with marketing, production, partnerships, and executives with ease.
• A self-starter mindset with strong creative instincts, problem-solving skills, and ownership mentality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in sports marketing or collectibles events.

• Knowledge of social media platforms, influencer marketing, gifting programs and digital content strategies for events.

• Experience with immersive event technology (AR/VR, interactive installations, etc.).

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• A dynamic and innovative work environment.

• Access to premium sporting events and exclusive experiences.

If you are a dynamic and experienced Creative Director with a passion for the sports industry, we invite you to apply for this role. Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you're the right fit.

In NYC, the salary range for this position is $180,000 - $200,000 which represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training.

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.