Freelance Trading Card Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Us
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.
About the Company
Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.
About the Team
Fanatics TCG is a new Seattle-based trading card game studio within the Fanatics Collectibles family, founded by industry veterans with a long-term mandate: to build enduring franchises that live across tabletop, digital, community, and culture. We're looking for the most skilled and passionate talent in the games industry and beyond to help us create the best trading card games in the world.
Who We're Looking For
We're seeking a visionary Creative Director reporting to the SVP of TCGs to define the visual and creative identity of our trading card game franchises. You have an extraordinary eye and deep roots in art and visual culture, and you thrive at the intersection of world-building, visual design, and player experience. You know what will make a trading card iconic, what makes a universe feel alive, and you bring that perspective to every decision you make.
Responsibilities

• Own and drive the overarching creative vision for Fanatics TCG's game franchises, ensuring consistency and quality across all visual and narrative touchpoints
• While you won't be directly managing a team, you'll serve as the primary creative stakeholder across all art pipelines - from initial concept and illustration briefs through final production-ready assets - with final say on quality, direction, and delivery at every stage
• Establish and evolve the visual identity, art direction, and world-building frameworks for new and existing TCG IP
• Represent the creative vision with internal stakeholders and executive leadership, communicating strategy and rationale with clarity and conviction
• Partner with Game Design and Narrative leads to ensure creative output is deeply integrated with gameplay mechanics and player experience
• Build and maintain relationships with a global network of freelance illustrators and creative partners
• Stay deeply attuned to trends in the Collectibles space, tabletop gaming, pop culture, and visual arts to keep our brands culturally relevant and fresh

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in creative direction, art direction, or a senior creative leadership role within games, entertainment, or a related industry
• Demonstrated track record of building and shipping creative products-ideally including trading card games, collectibles, or tabletop games-from concept to market
• Deep knowledge of and genuine passion for the TCG or Collectibles genre, including an understanding of what makes art and world-building emotionally resonate with players
• Experience working with creative teams across disciplines, including concept artists, illustrators, graphic designers, and art producers
• Portfolio that demonstrates exceptional aesthetic range, world-building sophistication, and a high bar for visual quality
• Experience working with external studios, freelancers, and global art vendor networks
• Familiarity with digital and physical product production pipelines, including print specifications and digital asset delivery

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional visual taste with the ability to give precise, constructive, and inspiring creative direction
• Strong communication and storytelling skills-able to articulate a creative vision compellingly to artists, designers, executives, and players alike
• Strategic thinking: able to balance long-term franchise vision with short-term product realities
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to make confident decisions in a fast-moving, early-stage studio environment
• Proficiency with industry-standard creative tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, etc.) and familiarity with project management platforms
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple creative workstreams simultaneously without losing attention to detail

Location
All employees of Fanatics TCG are expected to be onsite in our Seattle office five days per week.
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
The salary range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. This salary range is specific to Seattle and may not be applicable to other locations. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training. For information about our benefits, please visit https://benefitsatfanatics.com/
Seattle Salary Range
$173,650-$216,200 USD
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