Art Director - Topps Trading Cards, China

Shanghai · On-site

About this role

As an Art Director, Topps Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, you will play a key role in managing a team that develops high-quality visual designs for a portfolio of trading card brands across Sports and Entertainment with a specific focus on speed-to-market and new IP. This is a fast-paced creative role where flexibility, multi-tasking, and team management is key. You will report directly to the Director of Product and work closely with Designers, Product Managers and cross-functional teams to elevate the creative output while contributing to design direction, problem-solving, and workflow improvements.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and oversee the creative development of visually compelling trading card products across multiple product lines and initiatives, with an emphasis on speed to market
  • Guide and mentor Designers, providing clear creative direction, constructive feedback, and support for professional growth
  • Develop expedited process for the creation of production-ready files with a deep understanding of print and digital specifications
  • Partner closely with Product Development, Project Management, Production, and Marketing teams to deliver innovative and commercially successful products
  • Collaborate with international and cross-regional design partners to align workflows, share creative best practices, and ensure consistency across global product releases
  • Drive creative consistency and cohesion across global design teams, fostering strong cross-functional collaboration and alignment on brand and product vision
  • Lead concept development and creative reviews, presenting strategic design rationale and incorporating stakeholder feedback effectively
  • Balance hands-on creative contribution with team leadership, ensuring projects are executed efficiently while maintaining a high standard of design integrity
  • Manage multiple creative priorities simultaneously, helping teams navigate tight deadlines, shifting priorities, and fast-paced production schedules
  • Support and improve creative processes, workflows, and asset management systems to enhance collaboration, scalability, and operational efficiency
  • Champion innovation by identifying emerging design, sports, pop culture, and collectibles trends to inform creative strategy and product differentiation

Ideal Candidate:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 7+ years of experience in graphic design, branding, or product design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating creative leadership and visual storytelling
  • Proven success leading or mentoring creative teams in a fast-paced environment
  • Exceptional portfolio showcasing expertise in layout, typography, color theory, packaging, and visual systems
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Deep understanding of print production, manufacturing processes, digital design principles, and brand identity development
  • Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to manage creative processes, priorities, and team workflows effectively
  • Experience collaborating cross-functionally with global teams, including Design, Product Development, Marketing, and Production partners
  • Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to clearly articulate creative vision and strategy
  • Passion for sports, collectibles, entertainment, and design, with a strong understanding of collector culture and visual trends 

 

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. 

Subject to applicable laws, Fanatics Collectibles may choose to run a background check.

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud.  Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com).  For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers.

Company at a glance

The Topps Company, Inc. is the iconic, preeminent leader in physical and digital collectibles. Acquired by Fanatics Collectibles in January 2022, Topps is the company's cornerstone licensed trading card brand.
Founded in 1938, The Topps Company started in confections with "Topps Gum" (later introducing Bazooka Bubble Gum) and released its first trading card set in 1950. Today, the company produces trading cards and collectibles, custom cards, memorabilia, sticker album collections and more related to iconic and pop culture brands such as Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Star Wars, Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, World Wrestling Entertainment and Garbage Pail Kids. Fanatics Collectibles has also secured long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several additional sports properties, including NBA, NBPA and NFLPA, in the coming years.

Topps’ Digital Apps division produces, develops and operates mobile applications that give you access to an exclusive digital card collection at your fingertips that are sold via the Apple and Google app stores under the brand names BUNT, KICK, NHL SKATE, Star Wars Card Trader, The Walking Dead Universe Collect, WWE SLAM, Marvel Collect! and Disney Collect! https://play.toppsapps.com/.

Headquartered in New York City, Topps maintains offices in several countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, India and Brazil.

Team Size201-500 employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryManufacturing
Location
Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Websitetopps.com
LinkedInLinkedIn

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