Senior Manager of Graphic Design

Job Title : Senior Manager of Graphic Design

Department : Integrated Marketing & Communications

Reports to : Creative Director

Position Summary :

FC Cincinnati is seeking a creative and highly motivated Senior Manager of Graphic Design to support club efforts through the design of forward-thinking, creative graphic elements that maintain the continuity of the brand.

The ideal candidate will have expert knowledge of design software and be skilled in every step of the design process, from concept to final deliverable.

Collaborating with multiple teams across the company, the Senior Manager of Graphic Design should be able to take written or spoken ideas and execute all deliverables.

The successful candidate will understand the importance of strong communication skills and adhering to tight deadlines. A great attitude, a healthy ability to take constructive criticism / feedback on your work and attention to detail are musts.

Beyond day-to-day tasks you have a desire to learn and develop your creative abilities. Mentor intermediate and junior designers and provide guidance in development.

What You'll Do :

• Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with multiple teams to design / repurpose existing artwork for creative initiatives such as, but not limited to, sales collateral, advertising campaigns, digital graphics (website, social media and video elements), stadium graphics, digital ads and presentation decks for internal departments
• Translate strategic direction into high-quality design within an established brand identity to help departments with turn-key collateral
• Work closely with Design Studio to carry out the continuity of design elements throughout all deliverables based on supporting strategy and brand guidelines
• Prepare appropriate files for printers and vendors
• Update and maintain structured internal databases for design
• Build and maintain effective working relationships throughout the organization
• Game day duties will be assigned and will likely focus on live event production and live digital messaging

What You'll Bring :

• Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while balancing multiple simultaneous projects
• Fluent knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and Power Point
• Exceptional conceptual and creative skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, as a team member and in collaboration with other teams / functions
• Strong interpersonal skills when interacting with departments and clients
• Knowledge and interest in professional soccer and / or sports a plus
• Basic digital animation and / or photography experience a plus

What You'll Need :

• 6+ years of experience with graphic design in a professional environment
• BS / BA in graphic design, art, animation, motion graphics or related field or demonstrated work experience
• Knowledge of and / or prior work in sports business sector is a plus
• Knowledge of design techniques and emerging technologies
• Expertise in current graphic design practices, including fluency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Ability to work outside of regular business hours including but not limited to weekends and holidays as required by the FCC game schedule, special events, and projects

Match Day Responsibilities :

The Senior Manager of Graphic Design will have professional obligations for every FC Cincinnati game during the season, including preseason, regular-season, postseason and in-season tournaments.

Additionally, any special events hosted by the club including international friendlies and / or charitable or large-scale community activities are included.

Work Hours :

In addition to normal business hours, weekend, evening, and holiday work will be required as schedule and project workload dictates.

About FC Cincinnati :

FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team playing at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The club’s wide and diverse ownership group is led by controlling owner Carl H.

Lindner III; as well as managing owners Meg Whitman and Dr. Griff Harsh; Scott Farmer; and George Joseph. Originally founded in 2015 by Lindner III and co-CEO Jeff Berding, FCC began play in the United Soccer League (USL) in 2016.

The club won the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship in record-setting fashion and earned postseason berths in all three of its USL seasons.

In 2017, FC Cincinnati also advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a run that included victories over two MLS squads.

FCC entered MLS in 2019 as the league’s 24th team. FCC won the 2023 Supporters’ Shield the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season and clinched a spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs for the second straight year.

FC Cincinnati opened the clubs privately funded, 26,000-seat soccer-specific TQL Stadium in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati in 2021.

TQL Stadium is one of the most ambitious soccer-specific stadiums in not only North America, but the world. Critically acclaimed firm Populous designed an innovative and forward-thinking stadium that is one of the largest soccer-specific facilities in Major League Soccer.

The closest seats are within 15 feet of the pitch at the $250 million, privately funded stadium. The design includes 53 traditional suites and 4,500 premium seats throughout four premium club spaces.

FC Cincinnati’s supporters’ section, The Bailey, has grown to be more than 3,100 strong and loom over opponents at a 34-degree angle at the stadium’s north end.

A 360-degree canopy roof covers every seat in TQL Stadium, but still allows sufficient sun in to grow a natural grass field.

The stadium has five team locker rooms, including a comprehensive team suite for FC Cincinnati that features a dressing room, coach’s office, lounge, equipment storage and the Mercy Health Center of Excellence for the team’s medical and game day fitness needs.

Within the first year of the stadium’s completion, the venue featured both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, including the USMNT’s FIFA World Cup Qualification match vs. Mexico.

FC Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.